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Concise Histories of Intelligence
Pakistan's ISI: A Concise History of the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate
Forged during the tumultuous aftermath of Partition in 1947, the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI) has grown to become the preeminent intelligence service in Pakistan. Its capabilities are comprehensive, its remit covers both foreign and domestic intelligence, and it is one of the most feared and respected agencies of the Global South.
Pakistan's ISI provides an up-to-date and detailed introduction to the ISI and its historical evolution. The narrative is rooted in a deep and wide-ranging contextualization of the state of Pakistan and its security environment. The story is one of an agency that grew from humble beginnings into an extremely capable and robust force at the heart of power in the state. The ISI utilizes broad human intelligence networks and employs covert action and support for militants, particularly in its rivalry with India. As a crucial intelligence partner for the West during the Cold War and into the contemporary era, the ISI has been both an essential ally and problematic partner. The shadow of this agency continues to loom over Pakistan's democratic institutions.
This book will appeal to students, scholars, and general listeners interested in intelligence and the politics and history of South Asia.
Pakistan's ISI provides an up-to-date and detailed introduction to the ISI and its historical evolution. The narrative is rooted in a deep and wide-ranging contextualization of the state of Pakistan and its security environment. The story is one of an agency that grew from humble beginnings into an extremely capable and robust force at the heart of power in the state. The ISI utilizes broad human intelligence networks and employs covert action and support for militants, particularly in its rivalry with India. As a crucial intelligence partner for the West during the Cold War and into the contemporary era, the ISI has been both an essential ally and problematic partner. The shadow of this agency continues to loom over Pakistan's democratic institutions.
This book will appeal to students, scholars, and general listeners interested in intelligence and the politics and history of South Asia.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published September 2, 2024
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About the author
Julian Richards
36 books4 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
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November 17, 2025
Pakistan’s ISI by Richard is a remarkably balanced and sharply focused account of one of the world’s most discussed intelligence agencies. The author avoids the usual sensationalism and instead presents a clear, structured narrative that covers the ISI’s origins, evolution, internal dynamics, and its complex role in regional geopolitics.
What makes the book stand out is its fairness: Richard neither glorifies nor demonises the organisation. He acknowledges its strategic successes, highlights its institutional constraints, and also gives space to the controversies and allegations that surround it—without slipping into bias.
The book is concise, well-researched, and accessible even to readers without a background in security studies. By presenting multiple perspectives—Pakistani, regional, and Western—the author ensures a rounded understanding of an institution often portrayed in extremes.
Overall, it’s a very good read for anyone looking for a sober, well-balanced overview of the ISI and its place in South Asian security affairs.
What makes the book stand out is its fairness: Richard neither glorifies nor demonises the organisation. He acknowledges its strategic successes, highlights its institutional constraints, and also gives space to the controversies and allegations that surround it—without slipping into bias.
The book is concise, well-researched, and accessible even to readers without a background in security studies. By presenting multiple perspectives—Pakistani, regional, and Western—the author ensures a rounded understanding of an institution often portrayed in extremes.
Overall, it’s a very good read for anyone looking for a sober, well-balanced overview of the ISI and its place in South Asian security affairs.
Displaying 1 of 1 review