“On a scale of one to ten what are our skills in mediation?”
“We mediated talks between China and the US way back in the early 1970s and enabled Nixon to visit China in 1972 that paved the way for the historic Shanghai communiqué…”
“The same Nixon who resigned in 1974, no he wasn’t indicted but the Watergate scandal…”
“See our justice system works better. Wasn’t Musharraf indicted on multiple charges including two murder charges and suspending the constitution…”
“OK so Nixon faced one charge and Musharraf multiple charges and so what?”
“So nothing but for your information Nixon was not indicted for opening lines of communication with China though perhaps that charge can be added posthumously given American official anger against the Chinese transforming themselves into peer competitors in a few decades. Reports suggest that the US is getting ready for a war with China by 2030 is it?”
“Not sure but anyway when I asked about our mediating skills…”
“Hey isn’t China returning the favour: mediating between us and the Taliban?”
“Right, no, I was referring to our mediation between the US and Iran – given that the position of the protagonists is so wide apart it’s not our fault…”
“Look at the glass as half full! We could well succeed. By the way did you note that in the two major ongoing conflicts the position of the anti-Western countries is the same.”
“Because one of the protagonist is common – the US reportedly supports Ukraine in identifying targets for missile attacks on Russian soil covertly while the US is more overt in the attacks on Iran…”
“Hmmm not anymore I think, anyway China is supporting the Iranians.”
“True but both Russia and Iran’s stance is the same: we do not want a temporary ceasefire that would enable their protagonists to rearm themselves and attack again – and need I add the Russian and Iranian experience provides ample proof of this charge which is why that they want to end the war definitively — an agreement with appropriate guarantees that would not allow the US and/or Israel to attack Iran ever again.”
“Well ever is a long time.”
“Yes but…”
“For Israel ever could be the day after the ceasefire agreement is signed. I mean look at Gaza, and the West Bank and Lebanon…”
“The day after or the same day?”
“You have caught on.”
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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