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No Exit, from Pakistan South Asian Edition: America's Tortured Relationship with Islamabad
This book tells the story of the tragic and often tormented relationship between the United States and Pakistan. Pakistan's internal troubles have already threatened U.S. security and international peace, and Pakistan's rapidly growing population, nuclear arsenal, and relationships with China and India will continue to force it upon America's geostrategic map in new and important ways over the coming decades. This book explores the main trends in Pakistani society that will help determine its future; traces the wellsprings of Pakistani anti-American sentiment through the history of U.S.-Pakistan relations from 1947 to 2001; assesses how Washington made and implemented policies regarding Pakistan since the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001; and analyzes how regional dynamics, especially the rise of China, will likely shape U.S.-Pakistan relations. It concludes with three options for future U.S. strategy, described as defensive insulation, military-first cooperation, and comprehensive cooperation. The book explains how Washington can prepare for the worst, aim for the best, and avoid past mistakes.
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First published September 30, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 15, 2022
A book on Pak-US relations. However, predictions and forecast are not the forte of the author.
1. Whether it's India rise to power against China or China aligning herself with India instead of Pakistan.
2. WoT and predictions by Pakistan are a reality now.
3. Author should have read more books regarding how this WoT started and what were the causes of this war before attempting this book.
4. Dr Mazari's book is not the only thing driving military's stance against India or in favour of China since most of the military men have not even read the book. But major contributory factor is American polices towards Pakistan.
5. Pakistan is unlikely to trust US by just sending dollars as aid instead US can start by obliging the promises they made.
6. Main issue will always remain by giving undue support to India against Pakistan.
7. A writer has to be neutral to see both sides of a story. However, biasness and inclination towards one side will not allow to see the real picture.
8. Few things are hard facts, like Afghan jihad and their support etc. However, writer discusses that as a passing remark and again focuses the blame on Pakistan.
9. If Pakistan is a such a terrorist Muslim state then India surely is a terrorist Hindu state. Both have stakes against each other not just Pakistan against India.
It is also funny to notice that the author pays little interest in explaining incidents incited by American nationals like Raymond Davis and firing 5 bullets each on his victims in "self-defence" and killing of 38 civilians.
Nobody in their right mind will believe American operation inside Pakistan and killing OBL without Pakistan Army or government knowing is impossible. Also witnesses also states otherwsie. However, writer failed to analyse the situation after this incident.
I am also amazed on author's opinion that all type of terrorism in India is Pakistan based but terrorism in Pakistan is caused by Pakistanis. Has the author forgot about Hindu terrorism which targeted Muslims. Was it not terrorism? Or the definition of terrorism changes once they are not Muslims? Does author know what's going on in Balochistan and many dossiers of evidence of Indian involvement were submitted with UN.
While reading "America's Options" I was amazed on the audacity of the author of how he perceived that Pakistan can be "contained". The author gave the game plan of how to go about it. The author must understand that this is Pakistan not Afghanistan or Vietnam. If Americans failed in Afghanistan and Vietnam, do they think that they can "conquer" Pakistan.
At the end in as per the author the fault of everything happening everywhere in the world is somewhat related to Pakistan or Pakistanis.
November 16, 2022
I was sent this book by Liberty Publishing, in exchange for a review.
If you are novice to geopolitics, like me, or looking for a quick introduction, the book will provide you a succinct overview of the US-Pakistan political and military relationship from the 1950s up until 2012. There have unfortunately been many subsequent events, such as the tragic terrorist attack on a school in Peshawar in 2014, and the rise of right-wing extremism in the subcontinent, so this may read a little dated to someone who has more than a passing interest in current events.
Statecraft in the hands of a seasoned political analyst is often more suspenseful than any episode of House of Cards, with back-stabbing and back-rubbing occurring in equal amounts, all to propel the interests of the elite at the cost of the oppressed, enabled by the silent majority. All of the problems Pakistan faces, as mentioned by the author: corrupt elite, economic instability, right-wing extremism, racial and gender violence, unchecked military spending, as being rampant in nuclear-armed Pakistan, are also the same that are contributing to the instability of a nuclear-weapon-using US. It is clear that the book is written from an academic lens, of how best to ‘use’ Pakistan for the benefit of the US, but when Pakistan does the same, the author is quick to label Pakistan as a ‘spoiler state’. The US's imperial aspirations in South Asia and the Middle East, under the guise of 'Homeland Security', have incurred a heartbreaking human cost, both in the US and Pakistan, where education and healthcare have taken the worst hits— a damning indictment of how ordinary people suffer while the elite play dice with our lives.
I particularly enjoyed his analysis of how USAID funding for social projects in Pakistan has been of more long-term benefit for the US than partnerships with military organizations. Unfortunately, such welfare projects have suffered in the recent past and worsened the social problems we are currently beset with. While this was an academically dense book, I thoroughly enjoyed it for the insight it gave me, and I hope to read more from the author on this thorny subject.
If you are novice to geopolitics, like me, or looking for a quick introduction, the book will provide you a succinct overview of the US-Pakistan political and military relationship from the 1950s up until 2012. There have unfortunately been many subsequent events, such as the tragic terrorist attack on a school in Peshawar in 2014, and the rise of right-wing extremism in the subcontinent, so this may read a little dated to someone who has more than a passing interest in current events.
Statecraft in the hands of a seasoned political analyst is often more suspenseful than any episode of House of Cards, with back-stabbing and back-rubbing occurring in equal amounts, all to propel the interests of the elite at the cost of the oppressed, enabled by the silent majority. All of the problems Pakistan faces, as mentioned by the author: corrupt elite, economic instability, right-wing extremism, racial and gender violence, unchecked military spending, as being rampant in nuclear-armed Pakistan, are also the same that are contributing to the instability of a nuclear-weapon-using US. It is clear that the book is written from an academic lens, of how best to ‘use’ Pakistan for the benefit of the US, but when Pakistan does the same, the author is quick to label Pakistan as a ‘spoiler state’. The US's imperial aspirations in South Asia and the Middle East, under the guise of 'Homeland Security', have incurred a heartbreaking human cost, both in the US and Pakistan, where education and healthcare have taken the worst hits— a damning indictment of how ordinary people suffer while the elite play dice with our lives.
I particularly enjoyed his analysis of how USAID funding for social projects in Pakistan has been of more long-term benefit for the US than partnerships with military organizations. Unfortunately, such welfare projects have suffered in the recent past and worsened the social problems we are currently beset with. While this was an academically dense book, I thoroughly enjoyed it for the insight it gave me, and I hope to read more from the author on this thorny subject.
March 27, 2022
book is straight out lie. Writer is a partisan. Mr. Author, the world has moved on and these silly and unprofessional lies wont benefit your masters. The mistakes he made in this book are laugh worthy. So the plane crash of zia ul haq, turns out according this this author is a mystery. Yes. Lol.
August 21, 2022
Beautifully covers Pakistan-US relations from 1947 to 2012, in the context of regional and international environment. Book revolves around the three way forward for US i.e. Defensive Insulation, Military First Cooperation and Comprehensive Cooperation.
February 8, 2023
An American's perspective self suiting historical atopsy with vague hope for "defensive insulation" to have significant positive effects. Disregarding the target country's voices and mild acceptance of own policy blunders.
February 5, 2024
Better
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews