Recent strikes between Iran and Pakistan will heighten risks of border clashes, militant retaliation and protests in Pakistan, while also opening the door to a tit-for-tat escalation that likely neither country wants. On Jan. 18, Pakistan's military said it launched ''precision strikes'' as part of an ''intelligence-based operation'' against alleged positions of the militant Balochistan Liberation Army and Balochistan Liberation Front, which Iranian media says killed at least nine foreign nationals at a village in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province. In a statement condemning the attack, Iran's foreign ministry simultaneously underscored Iran's ''policy of good neighborliness and brotherhood'' with Pakistan, and said Iran ''does not allow enemies to strain the amicable and brotherly relations'' between the two countries. While a Pakistani foreign ministry statement cited Iran's alleged inaction against ''terrorists'' and ''credible intelligence of impending large scale'' attacks as triggers for the strike, Pakistan's attack on Iran came just two days after...
