According to Pakistani diplomat Sardar Masood Khan, the proposed ‘Core Five’ alliance of world powers is not feasible as a formal bloc because its potential members have fundamentally different economic, military, and strategic interests.
The former ambassador said today that despite leaks from the draft U.S. National Security Strategy, which proposed a division of responsibilities among the U.S., China, Russia, India, and Japan, the concept points toward limited cooperation rather than an organized alliance. He stressed that these countries lack the shared strategic objectives and mutual trust to form a united front.
Khan described the current U.S. strategic thinking, originating from the Trump era, as a “strategic retreat” rather than an attempt at global dominance. He characterized this revised U.S. strategy as a modern form of the Monroe Doctrine, aimed at preventing significant foreign intervention in the Americas while encouraging Europe to take on more responsibility for its own defense and development.
Regarding China, the former diplomat said that although the U.S. strategy has adopted a relatively softer tone, describing Beijing as a technological and economic rival rather than an outright adversary, sharp differences remain over Taiwan and naval control in the Western Pacific. He added that the concept of containing China is not viable, as Southeast Asian nations lack the will and capacity for a direct confrontation with Beijing.
The analysis highlighted India’s growing isolation in South Asia, citing strained relations with neighbors like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Khan said that after a major military setback this year, New Delhi is desperately seeking new technologies and partnerships to enhance its global standing, but a “clear distance” remains between India and the United States.
Referring to the recent visit of U.S. Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker, Khan said that while such engagements are aimed at restoring bilateral ties after a difficult year, they do not change the fundamental reality that the U.S. is less willing to unilaterally bear global security burdens or that the concept of projecting India as a regional security provider is flawed.
On U.S.-Russia relations, Khan indicated that there are opportunities for reconciliation driven by practical needs related to energy markets and the Ukraine conflict. While improved relations between Washington and Moscow could stabilize global energy supply chains, such a development would be a cause for concern for certain European countries.
Khan concluded that the emerging global order is transactional and interest-based, not alliance-based. He emphasized, “We are not seeing the emergence of a grand coalition, but rather observing limited cooperation in a multipolar system where each major power is re-evaluating its priorities.”