Kuala Lampur, April 12 --  

APRIL 12 - The departure of US Vice President JD Vance from Islamabad should not be mistaken for the collapse of diplomacy. 

On the contrary, it may well signal the transition from visible negotiations to quieter, more consequential phases of engagement.

Diplomacy, especially in times of war, rarely unfolds in linear or transparent ways.

At the heart of the current impasse lies a familiar but deeply contentious issue: nuclear weapons. 

Vance has made it unequivocally clear that the United States seeks an affirmative commitment from Iran-not only that it will not pursue a nuclear weapon, but that it will also refrain from developing the technological capabilities that would allow it to d...