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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An oil tanker is being unloaded with imported crude oil at the Qingdao Port Oil Terminal in Shandong Province, China on April 7, 2026. (Getty Images)