14. Middle East Crisis

Official CSS Syllabus Item: Global Issues — part of 40 Marks

Answer Structure

Definition/background 2. Current global status 3. Pakistan's specific stake 4. Key debates/challenges 5. Conclusion

See dedicated pages: "2026 Iran War (US-Israel vs Iran) & Middle East Crisis", "Gaza Peace Plan, US-Israel-Iran War & Global Energy Crisis (2025–26)", and "Yemen Crisis & the Houthi-Saudi Conflict — 2026" in this section for full timeline, key issues, and Pakistan's role.

New (Sept 2026): Yemen Crisis Now the Third Active Front

Yemen's civil war reignited in mid-2026 after the 2022 UN truce broke down in practice; Houthi forces struck southern Saudi Arabia directly on 8–9 September 2026
This is now the first real activation test of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, and adds a second maritime chokepoint (Bab al-Mandeb) at risk alongside the already-disrupted Strait of Hormuz — see the dedicated Yemen page for full detail

Quick Summary

War began 28 Feb 2026 (Operation Epic Fury), Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei killed, June 2026 MoU/ceasefire (Pakistan-mediated)
Ongoing Strait of Hormuz disputes, UAE-Iran frozen assets controversy (Aug 2026, unconfirmed)
Directly linked to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement
Pakistan's foreign policy stance: official neutrality, condemning attacks on both Iran and the Gulf states