91 Margalla Papers-2021 (Issue-II) [91-97] CHANGING US WAR POLITICS IN SOUTHWEST ASIA AND REGIONAL COOPERATION THROUGH CPEC Saima Gul and Shamaila Farooq * Abstract The changing dynamics of international politics with US military withdrawal from Afghanistan have affected the Southwest Asian geopolitical landscape. While international players have their interests, they involve regional and neighbouring states in their actions frequently; thus, regional complexities arise. Pakistan was engaged in peaceful execution of the US exit strategy from Afghanistan; however, it demanded an overall shift in policy in a changing regional environment. Besides, Pakistan's strategic and economic cooperation with China through CPEC has further enforced its prospects to be a significant player in regional politics. Pakistan's challenges are countering India's regional hegemonic designs and aggressiveness in Indian illegally occupied Kashmir, maintaining a neutral stance over the Iranian front vis-a-vis Saudi Arabia, and addressing the TTP factor. Despite international players' competition, Pakistan has multiple options for attaining balance through CPEC and shifting from competition to cooperation. This paper, therefore, analyses international players' security interests in the region and suggests openings for Pakistan through CPEC considering Regional Security Complex theory. Keywords: CPEC, Regional Security Complex Theory, JCPA, the US, Afghanistan. Introduction outhwest Asia has been a centre of international politics due to its unique geopolitical and geographic connectivity with rich oil resources and untapped trade routes. It is a hotbed of international to intra-regional interests and conflicts, thus putting the region under constant pressure. Besides the role of multinational players, regional dynamics are also into play. Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia have been exerting regional politics. However, the presence of great powers has remained evident since the Great Game left its mark in the region. Uncertainty in inter-state relations results from historical conflicts caused by extra-regional players, mainly the US, especially after World War II. Bringing this analysis to current upheaval is also credited to US hawkish policies towards Iran sanctioning senior leaders of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for alleged involvement in Yemen and Syria, and Lebanon, harming US interests in the region. 1 This conflict of uncertainty further increased with Iran's * Dr. Saima Gul is Lecturer at the Department of International Relations, University of Peshawar. Dr. Shamaila Farooq is Director Media and Publications, University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar. S