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Macgregor, a retired US Army Colonel who earlier served as an advisor to the US Defence Secretary during the Donald Trump administration, argued that Pakistan is unlikely to be seen as a neutral party, particularly by Israel.
US war expert Douglas Macgregor
Washington: Amid Pakistan’s attempts to project itself as a mediator in the ongoing West Asia conflict, US war expert Douglas Macgregor has sharply questioned Islamabad’s credibility, likening its offer to “a man in a burning building offering a spare room.”
Macgregor, a retired US Army Colonel who earlier served as an advisor to the US Defence Secretary during the Donald Trump administration, argued that Pakistan is unlikely to be seen as a neutral party, particularly by Israel.
“For the Pakistanis to offer help is like a man in a burning building offering you a spare room,” he said, adding that Israel would view Pakistan as “part of the problem” rather than a credible intermediary.
Macgregor further stated that it would be “ludicrous” to expect negotiations to take place in Islamabad, suggesting that such a proposal lacks realism. He also pointed to Pakistan’s internal challenges, including economic instability, as factors undermining its diplomatic standing.
“Financially, they are under severe strain,” he noted, emphasizing that such conditions weaken the country’s ability to play a constructive international role.
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In contrast, Macgregor suggested that India could emerge as a more credible facilitator of dialogue, citing its balanced diplomatic relations across multiple geopolitical blocs.
He described India as a “civilisational state” with growing global relevance, adding that its position could make it a viable platform for negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.
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The US expert also expressed skepticism over Israel’s willingness to engage in any Pakistan-led initiative, stating that such a proposal would likely be dismissed outright.
“If Israelis were asked to come to Islamabad for talks, they would laugh it off,” he remarked.
The comments come at a time when multiple countries, including Pakistan, are exploring diplomatic avenues to de-escalate tensions in West Asia, even as skepticism persists over the effectiveness and neutrality of such efforts.
