Power, Conflict, and Resistance: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Pakistani Diplomatic Cypher (March 07, 2022)

Abstract

The present study aims to analyze critically the Pakistani Diplomatic Cypher released by The Intercept news agency. The document consists of the conversation that took place between Pakistani Foreign Ambassador Asad Majeed and the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Mr. Donald Lu. The present study is qualitative and descriptive. The study has adopted the critical discourse analysis model of Norman Fairclough (1989). The study has found that the exercise of power, direction, and resistance is evident in the conversation of both officials. The US narrative seems dominant, as is it exercising power and hegemony in the running conflict of Russia-Ukraine. Aggressive behavior, threats, and dominance of own perspectives are evident in the Cypher directed by the US. At the same time, resistance is shown by the Pakistani official Asad Majeed against the US policies in the Cypher. The present study explores the imbalance of power stretches, and the existence of the imbalance relationship between tow nations, showed and inlaid in the presented discourse of the Cypher.