On DW News, Ken Moriyasu explains why Pakistan positioned itself between Iran and the United States during the ceasefire negotiations. He also examines the growing importance of middle powers—what he calls “swing states." Moriyasu argues that, to counter China, the United States should pay attention to key land-based chokepoints across Eurasia, where these swing states hold significant geopolitical leverage.
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A man walks near the headquarters of the Russian Central Bank in Moscow on February 13, 2026. (Getty Images)