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Afghanistan and Pakistan: Conflict, Extremism, and Resistance to Modernity
This timely study surveys the conflict in Afghanistan from Pakistan’s point of view and analyzes the roots of Pakistan’s ambiguous policy—supporting the United States on one hand and showing empathy for the Afghan Taliban on the other. The author, a former foreign secretary of Pakistan, considers a broad range of events and interweaves his own experiences and perspectives into the larger narrative of the Afghanistan-Pakistan relationship.
Beginning with the 1989 departure of Soviet troops—and especially since the 2001 NATO invasion—Riaz Mohammad Khan examines the development of Afghanistan and surveys the interests of external powers both there and in Pakistan. He discusses the rise of extremism and religious militancy in Pakistan and its links with ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan. Ultimately, Khan argues, Pakistan reveals a deep confusion in its public discourse on issues of modernity and the challenges the country faces, an intellectual crisis that Pakistan must address to secure the country’s survival, progress, and constructive role in the region.
Beginning with the 1989 departure of Soviet troops—and especially since the 2001 NATO invasion—Riaz Mohammad Khan examines the development of Afghanistan and surveys the interests of external powers both there and in Pakistan. He discusses the rise of extremism and religious militancy in Pakistan and its links with ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan. Ultimately, Khan argues, Pakistan reveals a deep confusion in its public discourse on issues of modernity and the challenges the country faces, an intellectual crisis that Pakistan must address to secure the country’s survival, progress, and constructive role in the region.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published June 29, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 13, 2024
This book is probably the most detailed account of Pak-Afghan relations and regional events unfolding with the departure of Soviets from Afghanistan. One thing a particularly loved about this book is the absence of author's voice. Despite the fact that the author was a foreign secretary of Pakistan and he interweaves his personal experiences with Pakistan's Afghan policy. I actually like non-fictions books with an impersonal narrations.
The book serves the purpose of narrating Pakistan's policy and analysis the roots of the policy right from the Soviet departure till the NATO invasion in 2001. The book is divided into 3 parts; Soviet withdrawal to Rise of Taliban, Afghan Taliban in Afg till NATO invasion, and Post-NATO invasion challenges for the Pakistan.
For me, how Pakistan and Saudis tried to convince the Afghan Taliban to leave OBL's side is most astonishing and compelling part. Unlike other authors, Riaz Khan has a very genuine and impartial narrative towards the Afghan Taliban (as it should be).
I appreciate how the book particularly sheds light on the intellectual crisis among policymakers and stakeholders. He also reveals the deep confusion in Pakistani population on matters of modernity. He argues that all the events unfolding in Afghanistan are responsible for extremism and militancy in Pakistan.
The book serves the purpose of narrating Pakistan's policy and analysis the roots of the policy right from the Soviet departure till the NATO invasion in 2001. The book is divided into 3 parts; Soviet withdrawal to Rise of Taliban, Afghan Taliban in Afg till NATO invasion, and Post-NATO invasion challenges for the Pakistan.
For me, how Pakistan and Saudis tried to convince the Afghan Taliban to leave OBL's side is most astonishing and compelling part. Unlike other authors, Riaz Khan has a very genuine and impartial narrative towards the Afghan Taliban (as it should be).
I appreciate how the book particularly sheds light on the intellectual crisis among policymakers and stakeholders. He also reveals the deep confusion in Pakistani population on matters of modernity. He argues that all the events unfolding in Afghanistan are responsible for extremism and militancy in Pakistan.
May 7, 2021
Wanted to read about Afghanistan after reading Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. Finally got hands on this book. This is the first non-fiction book I’ve read on the topic so have got nothing to compare it with, would rate it 4.5/5 though.
I read Urdu version of the book, published in 2012 (Translation of English version + Some additional events till June 2012)
The books is an analysis of Riaz Mohammad Khan about the mindset of Pak army, intelligence, politicians, bureaucrats, journalists, analysts and public opinion about the Jihad against Soviets in 1980s, Jihadist and Taliban leaderships in the 1990s and post 9/11 policies of Pakistan regarding Afghanistan.
This book covers the aftermath of Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and its impact on the region and especially Pakistan. Book has been divided into two parts, first part is about the situation of Afghanistan after the withdrawal of Soviet troops and the second part is about how these conflicts in the neighborhood have impacted Pakistan in the past and are impacting till day.
The author also points out an important role played by US and UN in Afghan Jihad in the war against Soviets and then how US diverted attention from the war torn Afghanistan after the departure of Soviet troops in the 1990s (Leaving general public on the mercy of local Jihadist leaders and Taliban), Later on US came back with a so called “war on terror” just after 9/11 and then again ignored Taliban and devastated Afghan people after US’s involvement in Iraq.
In the last chapter conclusion and suggestions for the improvement of the situation in the future have been discussed, the author has backed his opinions by providing facts and events of the past.
It’s heart wrenching to see how a beautiful nation was sent back to the stone age by big powers of its time.
Recommended.
I read Urdu version of the book, published in 2012 (Translation of English version + Some additional events till June 2012)
The books is an analysis of Riaz Mohammad Khan about the mindset of Pak army, intelligence, politicians, bureaucrats, journalists, analysts and public opinion about the Jihad against Soviets in 1980s, Jihadist and Taliban leaderships in the 1990s and post 9/11 policies of Pakistan regarding Afghanistan.
This book covers the aftermath of Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and its impact on the region and especially Pakistan. Book has been divided into two parts, first part is about the situation of Afghanistan after the withdrawal of Soviet troops and the second part is about how these conflicts in the neighborhood have impacted Pakistan in the past and are impacting till day.
The author also points out an important role played by US and UN in Afghan Jihad in the war against Soviets and then how US diverted attention from the war torn Afghanistan after the departure of Soviet troops in the 1990s (Leaving general public on the mercy of local Jihadist leaders and Taliban), Later on US came back with a so called “war on terror” just after 9/11 and then again ignored Taliban and devastated Afghan people after US’s involvement in Iraq.
In the last chapter conclusion and suggestions for the improvement of the situation in the future have been discussed, the author has backed his opinions by providing facts and events of the past.
It’s heart wrenching to see how a beautiful nation was sent back to the stone age by big powers of its time.
Recommended.
November 15, 2011
This book is a review of history from Afghan Jehad to the present day. The author details the stories, troubles, and rising phenomenons that affected deeply the 'Af-Pak' region.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews