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Covert : The Psychology of War and Peace
272 pages, Hardcover
Published July 29, 2024
36 people want to read
About the author
A.S. Dulat
9 books26 followersAMARJIT SINGH DULAT served as the head of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), India’s spy agency, under Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee. He later joined Vajpayee’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), where his job was to ‘monitor, manage and direct’ the government of India’s peace initiative in Kashmir.
Dulat was born in Sialkot, Punjab, in December 1940. With India’s Partition, his father Justice Shamsher Singh Dulat, ICS, was posted to Delhi. Dulat was educated in Bishop Cotton School, Shimla and Punjab University, Chandigarh, after which he joined the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1965, and then the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in 1969, where he served for almost thirty years. At IB he headed the Kashmir Group during the turbulent 1990s till he joined and headed R&AW.
Since leaving the government in 2004, Dulat has been active on the track two circuit, and has visited Pakistan. He has co-authored a paper with former Pakistani intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Asad Durrani on the benefits of intelligence cooperation between India and Pakistan.
During service, Dulat accumulated a vast reservoir of goodwill with Kashmiris of all shades. As Jane’s Intelligence Digest put it in 2001: ‘Well known for his social skills, Dulat prefers dialogue to clandestine manoeuvres. He has built up an impressive network of personal contacts in Kashmir including militants.’ A decade after retirement, that goodwill remains intact, with Kashmiris dropping in on him and his wife Paran at their Friends Colony house in Delhi, to share gossip, information, and advice.
Dulat was born in Sialkot, Punjab, in December 1940. With India’s Partition, his father Justice Shamsher Singh Dulat, ICS, was posted to Delhi. Dulat was educated in Bishop Cotton School, Shimla and Punjab University, Chandigarh, after which he joined the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1965, and then the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in 1969, where he served for almost thirty years. At IB he headed the Kashmir Group during the turbulent 1990s till he joined and headed R&AW.
Since leaving the government in 2004, Dulat has been active on the track two circuit, and has visited Pakistan. He has co-authored a paper with former Pakistani intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Asad Durrani on the benefits of intelligence cooperation between India and Pakistan.
During service, Dulat accumulated a vast reservoir of goodwill with Kashmiris of all shades. As Jane’s Intelligence Digest put it in 2001: ‘Well known for his social skills, Dulat prefers dialogue to clandestine manoeuvres. He has built up an impressive network of personal contacts in Kashmir including militants.’ A decade after retirement, that goodwill remains intact, with Kashmiris dropping in on him and his wife Paran at their Friends Colony house in Delhi, to share gossip, information, and advice.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 24, 2024
When you hear the word "spy," you might imagine something like James Bond or Mission Impossible. When I started reading "Covert," I was hoping for the same. However, this book changed my perspective not only towards spies but also towards diplomatic relations and intelligence services. The book presents a unique dialogue between two former spy chiefs—A.S. Dulat, who headed India's R&AW, and Asad Durrani, who led Pakistan's ISI, with psychiatrist and social scientist Neil K. Aggarwal.
The book explores the psychology of war and peace and also delves into the perspective of the common man towards the enemy state. It provides insightful views on the bilateral relations between the two states, the geopolitics of South Asian nations, as well as on Kashmir and Afghanistan.
I loved the candidness of the dialogue and honest assessment of policies, the realistic approach and the current political and bilateral situation as well as current global politics. Both Mr Daulat and Mr Durrani mostly agreed with one another's views. It also shows the camaraderie between both of them.
This book is divided into five topics. I can say it contains why, how and why not about peacemaking.
My two favourite topics from this book are-
1. The Psychology Foundation of Track II, People-to-People Diplomacy.
In this chapter, Mr. Daulat and Mr. Durrani delve into their personal lives, including their childhood, adolescence, and their entry into the intelligence services. This highlights how their personal lives and choices shaped their future selves.
This also offers valuable insight into their personal lives and serves to humanize individuals working in intelligence services.
2. Case Studies in How We Become Indians and Pakistanis.
In the chapter, Neil K Aggarwal delves into a comprehensive analysis of the cultural, social, and historical factors influencing the perceptions of the people of India and Pakistan. He thoroughly explores the complexities of large group identity formation and the intricate dynamics of how individuals perceive themselves in the public sphere.
Both these chapters were thought-provoking and held an emotional value.
The writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex geopolitical and political issues easy to understand.
I loved the conversational format it's engaging, making the book not only informative but also highly readable.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the intricacies of South Asian geopolitics, and the dynamics of diplomatic relations.
The book explores the psychology of war and peace and also delves into the perspective of the common man towards the enemy state. It provides insightful views on the bilateral relations between the two states, the geopolitics of South Asian nations, as well as on Kashmir and Afghanistan.
I loved the candidness of the dialogue and honest assessment of policies, the realistic approach and the current political and bilateral situation as well as current global politics. Both Mr Daulat and Mr Durrani mostly agreed with one another's views. It also shows the camaraderie between both of them.
This book is divided into five topics. I can say it contains why, how and why not about peacemaking.
My two favourite topics from this book are-
1. The Psychology Foundation of Track II, People-to-People Diplomacy.
In this chapter, Mr. Daulat and Mr. Durrani delve into their personal lives, including their childhood, adolescence, and their entry into the intelligence services. This highlights how their personal lives and choices shaped their future selves.
This also offers valuable insight into their personal lives and serves to humanize individuals working in intelligence services.
2. Case Studies in How We Become Indians and Pakistanis.
In the chapter, Neil K Aggarwal delves into a comprehensive analysis of the cultural, social, and historical factors influencing the perceptions of the people of India and Pakistan. He thoroughly explores the complexities of large group identity formation and the intricate dynamics of how individuals perceive themselves in the public sphere.
Both these chapters were thought-provoking and held an emotional value.
The writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex geopolitical and political issues easy to understand.
I loved the conversational format it's engaging, making the book not only informative but also highly readable.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the intricacies of South Asian geopolitics, and the dynamics of diplomatic relations.
May 17, 2024
Hey guys, have you read 'The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace'? If not, I suggest reading it. After that, give this excellent book a try. 📚
🌼 'The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace' offers insights from dialogues between former chiefs of RAW and ISI on critical issues like Kashmir, terrorism, and Indo-Pak relations, providing a unique perspective on longstanding conflicts in South Asia.
🌼 'Covert: The Psychology of War and Peace' is a riveting exploration into the minds of two spymasters, A.S. Dulat and Asad Durrani, expertly moderated by Neil K. Aggarwal. This book takes readers on a profound journey through their personal and professional lives, shedding light on how their Indian and Pakistani backgrounds have shaped their perspectives. The candid discussions between Dulat and Durrani offer an honest appraisal of the complex peacebuilding dynamics between India and Pakistan.
🔺The camaraderie between these intelligence veterans is palpable, offering readers a rare glimpse into the shadowy world of negotiation and subterfuge. Through insightful dialogues, the book navigates the intricate web of international relations, unraveling why cooperation exists in some spheres while conflict persists in others. This is an essential read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the intricate web of politics, culture, and diplomacy in this region.
🔺The cover of the book itself speaks volumes about its content, giving you a feeling of suspense and thrill at the same time. The content presented in the format of a conversation with a psychiatrist between two powerful figures of their time makes it more engaging. The book consists of 256 pages divided into 5 chapters; the author presents a unique index format.
🔸Overall, I loved the book and strongly recommend fellow readers to give it a try.
🌼 'The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace' offers insights from dialogues between former chiefs of RAW and ISI on critical issues like Kashmir, terrorism, and Indo-Pak relations, providing a unique perspective on longstanding conflicts in South Asia.
🌼 'Covert: The Psychology of War and Peace' is a riveting exploration into the minds of two spymasters, A.S. Dulat and Asad Durrani, expertly moderated by Neil K. Aggarwal. This book takes readers on a profound journey through their personal and professional lives, shedding light on how their Indian and Pakistani backgrounds have shaped their perspectives. The candid discussions between Dulat and Durrani offer an honest appraisal of the complex peacebuilding dynamics between India and Pakistan.
🔺The camaraderie between these intelligence veterans is palpable, offering readers a rare glimpse into the shadowy world of negotiation and subterfuge. Through insightful dialogues, the book navigates the intricate web of international relations, unraveling why cooperation exists in some spheres while conflict persists in others. This is an essential read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the intricate web of politics, culture, and diplomacy in this region.
🔺The cover of the book itself speaks volumes about its content, giving you a feeling of suspense and thrill at the same time. The content presented in the format of a conversation with a psychiatrist between two powerful figures of their time makes it more engaging. The book consists of 256 pages divided into 5 chapters; the author presents a unique index format.
🔸Overall, I loved the book and strongly recommend fellow readers to give it a try.
December 9, 2024
'Covert: The Psychology of War and Peace' presents an intriguing premise where the spy chiefs of two warring nations - India and Pakistan - come together to write a book about peace—a task they successfully undertook in their prequel, The Spy Chronicles. The sequel, however, does not live up to the expectations set by its predecessor.
1. Impossible Collaboration: The remarkable aspect of these high-ranking officials collaborating is revisited, showcasing their civil discussions and mutual desire for peace, despite their countries' conflicts.
2. Sequel Shortcomings: Unlike Hollywood movies where sequels often shine, this geopolitical commentary falls short. The original magic seems to have dwindled, leaving this follow-up less impactful.
3. Psychological Overdose: The book heavily leans on psychology and delves into the personal lives of the spy chiefs, often overshadowing the core geopolitical issues. The book is a product of Track 2 diplomacy, which has shown limited success in resolving conflicts. In the conclusion, the chiefs debunk Track 2's effectiveness, asserting that Track 1 diplomacy remains dominant in diplomatic relations.
4. Abrupt Ending: One of the significant drawbacks is its abrupt conclusion, which leaves the book feeling unfinished, akin to meeting minutes that end suddenly without a proper resolution.
Conclusion: While the book offers unique insights into the minds of key players in international relations, its overemphasis on personal anecdotes and psychological analysis, coupled with an abrupt ending, may disappoint those expecting a more thorough geopolitical discourse.
1. Impossible Collaboration: The remarkable aspect of these high-ranking officials collaborating is revisited, showcasing their civil discussions and mutual desire for peace, despite their countries' conflicts.
2. Sequel Shortcomings: Unlike Hollywood movies where sequels often shine, this geopolitical commentary falls short. The original magic seems to have dwindled, leaving this follow-up less impactful.
3. Psychological Overdose: The book heavily leans on psychology and delves into the personal lives of the spy chiefs, often overshadowing the core geopolitical issues. The book is a product of Track 2 diplomacy, which has shown limited success in resolving conflicts. In the conclusion, the chiefs debunk Track 2's effectiveness, asserting that Track 1 diplomacy remains dominant in diplomatic relations.
4. Abrupt Ending: One of the significant drawbacks is its abrupt conclusion, which leaves the book feeling unfinished, akin to meeting minutes that end suddenly without a proper resolution.
Conclusion: While the book offers unique insights into the minds of key players in international relations, its overemphasis on personal anecdotes and psychological analysis, coupled with an abrupt ending, may disappoint those expecting a more thorough geopolitical discourse.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews