FT on Global Power Shift: Asim Munir Emerges as Leading Strategist for Middle Powers

As global politics undergoes rapid and often unpredictable change, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has emerged as one of the most effective strategic leaders navigating the new international order, according to the Financial Times.

In an analysis of the evolving global system, the British daily highlights Pakistan’s military chief as a standout example of how middle powers can successfully adapt to intensifying great-power competition. The Financial Times notes that the changing geopolitical environment has opened “a new but challenging era for middle powers,” adding that this transition has proven “particularly complex.”

Against this backdrop, the newspaper identifies Field Marshal Asim Munir as “among the most successful multi-aligners of middle powers,” citing Pakistan’s ability to maintain and balance key relationships simultaneously.

Multidimensional Strategy and Active Diplomacy

According to the Financial Times, Field Marshal Asim Munir represents a “clear example of a successful multidimensional strategist” — and a model of effective diplomacy — for states seeking strategic relevance without over-commitment to any single bloc.

The paper notes that Pakistan’s leadership has remained active in sustaining parallel ties with United States, China, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, an approach described as increasingly rare amid sharpening global rivalries.

This multidirectional engagement, the Financial Times observes, has created “new diplomatic opportunities for Pakistan” at a time when many middle powers are struggling to adjust to shifting alignments.

Engaging Trump’s Informal Style

The newspaper also highlights Pakistan’s handling of relations with former US President Donald Trump, describing Field Marshal Asim Munir as “the best aligned” with Trump’s informal and unconventional diplomatic style.

“Timely pleasant conversations and a soft diplomatic approach” toward Trump proved effective, the Financial Times writes, suggesting that Pakistan’s adaptive tone helped advance its diplomatic standing during a volatile phase in global politics.

Regional Impact and Indian Discomfort

The Financial Times contrasts Pakistan’s diplomatic momentum with India’s difficulties, stating that New Delhi has been “disappointed” by Islamabad’s success. The paper argues that the “game of middle power has proven more difficult than expected for India,” particularly due to its inability to align smoothly with both the changing global environment and Trump’s political style.

As a result, India is facing growing challenges in executing its own middle-power strategy, the newspaper concludes.

A Case Study for Middle Powers

Overall, the Financial Times frames Field Marshal Asim Munir’s approach as a case study in modern statecraft: flexible alignment, calibrated engagement, and pragmatic diplomacy. In an era marked by uncertainty and competition, Pakistan’s experience, the paper suggests, offers important lessons for other middle powers navigating the rapidly changing global order.