Regional tensions in South Asia and the Middle East are once again in the spotlight as leaders and diplomats from across the globe gathered in Doha for the 23rd Doha Forum, held on December 7, 2025. The event, which drew more than 5,000 delegates from 162 countries, provided a platform for urgent discussions on conflict resolution, humanitarian crises, and the future of global governance. At the heart of the forum’s deliberations was a call for inclusive political engagement and dialogue with all actors, even those often sidelined by the international community.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani took center stage, emphasizing that lasting peace in conflict-ridden regions like Afghanistan and Gaza cannot be achieved without involving all stakeholders, including non-state armed groups. “You cannot reach a solution if you have no one speaking to non-state actors,” Sheikh Mohammed declared, according to The Express Tribune, during a session moderated by American journalist Tucker Carlson. His words underscored Qatar’s philosophy of open channels and mediation, a strategy that has seen the Gulf state play a pivotal role in both regional and international peace efforts.
Qatar’s mediation credentials are extensive. Over the years, the country has facilitated dialogue between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, helped broker humanitarian pauses in Gaza, and maintained communication with groups such as Hamas and the Taliban—often at the behest of Western governments. As Sheikh Mohammed explained, Qatar’s engagement with Hamas began more than a decade ago at the request of the United States, allowing for the establishment of trusted communication channels, ceasefires, and the delivery of humanitarian aid. Similarly, the Taliban’s political office in Doha, opened in 2013, was another initiative launched at Washington’s urging, ultimately leading to the Doha Agreement and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Speaking to Tucker Carlson, Sheikh Mohammed reiterated that comprehensive political participation is essential for resolving instability in countries like Afghanistan and Palestine. “Countries like Afghanistan and Palestine, which are struggling with instability, need comprehensive political participation,” he said, according to Afghan Voice Agency. He added that Qatar’s foreign policy is rooted in diplomacy and cooperation, and that the same approach is used to address other crises in the region. “We keep our lines of communication active with all parties to find solutions acceptable to all,” he emphasized.
These efforts have not been without controversy. Qatar has faced allegations that its financial aid to Gaza has been diverted to Hamas, but Sheikh Mohammed insisted that all assistance is delivered directly to civilians through a transparent process coordinated with Israel. He criticized political actors who exploit the situation for short-term gains, highlighting the tangible results of Qatar’s mediation: multiple ceasefires, hostage releases, humanitarian pauses, and evacuation arrangements.
The Doha Forum also served as a backdrop for reflecting on recent military and diplomatic developments. Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated since October 2025, following deadly border clashes that left dozens dead and hundreds wounded. In the wake of these hostilities, Doha hosted the first round of talks between the two sides, resulting in a ceasefire agreement. However, two subsequent rounds of negotiations in Istanbul in November ended without resolution, and the ceasefire eventually broke down. As reported by Afghan Voice Agency, the failure of these talks has left the region on edge, with no clear path forward.
Against this turbulent backdrop, Pakistan’s newly appointed armed forces chief, Gen. Asim Munir, issued a stark ultimatum to Afghanistan’s Taliban government on December 8, 2025. Speaking at his headquarters in Rawalpindi, Munir called on Kabul to choose between maintaining ties with Islamabad or supporting the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), the militant group blamed for a surge in deadly attacks across Pakistan. “A clear message had been delivered to the Taliban government in Kabul: it must decide between Pakistan and ‘Fitna al-Khawarij,’” Munir said, using a term Pakistani authorities employ for the outlawed TTP, as reported by the Associated Press.
The TTP, though a separate entity, has long maintained close ties with the Afghan Taliban and has grown bolder since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Relations between the two neighbors have soured further in recent months, with both sides trading accusations following the October border violence. Despite a Qatar-mediated ceasefire that largely held since October, the failure of the Istanbul talks has left the situation fragile. There has been no immediate response from Kabul to Munir’s ultimatum.
Gen. Munir’s remarks came as he marked the launch of Pakistan’s new joint military command, an initiative designed to improve coordination among the army, navy, and air force, as well as bolster cybersecurity and information operations. The new Defence Forces Headquarters, he said, represents a historic step in Pakistan’s efforts to confront rising security threats. Munir also took the opportunity to reflect on Pakistan’s recent military operations during a four-day conflict with India in May 2025, describing them as a “textbook example” of future warfare. He issued a stern warning to India: “India must remain under no illusion that Pakistan’s next response will be even swifter and more severe.”
Sheikh Mohammed’s address at the Doha Forum also touched on broader regional issues. He condemned the Israeli strike on Qatari territory in September 2025, calling it an unprecedented violation of diplomatic norms. U.S. President Donald Trump, he revealed, had expressed frustration and disappointment over the attack, recognizing Qatar’s ongoing mediation efforts. Looking ahead to Gaza’s post-conflict reconstruction, Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to humanitarian support, but argued that those responsible for the destruction should bear the costs of rebuilding. He criticized what he described as a “double standard” in the international community, pointing out that while Russia is expected to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction, Israel has so far avoided similar accountability for Gaza.
On the thorny issue of forced displacement, Sheikh Mohammed was unequivocal. “I don’t see anyone has the right to deport them or force them to go somewhere else,” he insisted, emphasizing that Palestinians should not be treated as people to be “reshuffled or relocated” at the convenience of regional powers.
As the 23rd Doha Forum drew to a close, the message from Qatar was clear: meaningful peace in the region hinges on inclusive dialogue, transparent mediation, and a commitment to justice for all affected parties. With tensions simmering from Afghanistan to Gaza and the specter of further conflict looming, the world’s diplomats and leaders face a daunting challenge. But if the discussions in Doha are any indication, the path forward lies in engagement, not exclusion—and in the courage to talk to even the most difficult of counterparts.