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Frontline Pakistan: The Struggle with Militant Islam
After September 11, 2001, Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf, vowed to fight extremism in his country and has since established himself as a key ally in America's "global war on terror." But as veteran Pakistani journalist and commentator Zahid Hussain reveals in this book, Musharraf is in an impossible position. The Pakistani army and intelligence services are thoroughly penetrated by jihadists. In fact, the current government came into power through its support of radical Islamist groups, such as those fighting in Kashmir.
Based on exclusive interviews with key players and grassroots radicals, Hussain exposes the threads of Pakistan's complex political power web and the consequences of Musharraf's decision to support the U.S.'s drive against jihadism, which essentially took Pakistan to war with itself. He recounts the origins and nature of the jihadi movement in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the long-standing and often denied links between militants and Pakistani authorities, the weaknesses of successive elected governments, and the challenges to Musharraf's authority posed by politico-religious, sectarian, and civil society elements within the country.
The jihadi madrassas of Pakistan are incubators of the most feared terrorists in the world. Osama bin Laden himself is believed to be hiding close to the Pakistani border. Although the country's "war on terror" has so far been a stage show, a very real battle is looming, the outcome of which will have grave implications for the future security of the world.
Based on exclusive interviews with key players and grassroots radicals, Hussain exposes the threads of Pakistan's complex political power web and the consequences of Musharraf's decision to support the U.S.'s drive against jihadism, which essentially took Pakistan to war with itself. He recounts the origins and nature of the jihadi movement in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the long-standing and often denied links between militants and Pakistani authorities, the weaknesses of successive elected governments, and the challenges to Musharraf's authority posed by politico-religious, sectarian, and civil society elements within the country.
The jihadi madrassas of Pakistan are incubators of the most feared terrorists in the world. Osama bin Laden himself is believed to be hiding close to the Pakistani border. Although the country's "war on terror" has so far been a stage show, a very real battle is looming, the outcome of which will have grave implications for the future security of the world.
232 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 11, 2020
Pakistani journalist Zahid Hussain's well-written account of the history of terror groups operating in Pakistan.It was published in 2007,and the worst was yet to come in subsequent years,as Pakistan was ravaged by terror attacks by these groups.
Many of these groups owe their origins to Soviet occupation of Afghanistan,when General Zia and the US wanted their support for that war.Then,foreign fighters were allowed free access.
Things would change drastically when the US invaded Afghanistan after 9/11.Now,they were the enemy and the US pressed Pakistan to take action against them too.
US military action in Afghanistan prompted many of the foreign terrorists and Al Qaeda operatives to flee into Pakistan,through the porous border with Afghanistan.Some of the most feared terrorists in the world,were thus apprehended in Pakistan,and handed over to the US.
But then,the backlash began.These groups exacted their revenge and unleashed a wave of seemingly never ending suicide bombings in Pakistan,killing and wounding hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis.
Having lived through those harrowing days myself,reading this book,brought back some very uncomfortable memories.And also the uncomfortable realization that there are too many terrorist organizations in Pakistan,of different shades and many of them are home grown.Rising poverty,unemployment and indoctrination continue to swell their ranks.
Thankfully,since the last few years at least,things are not as bad as they once were.
Many of these groups owe their origins to Soviet occupation of Afghanistan,when General Zia and the US wanted their support for that war.Then,foreign fighters were allowed free access.
Things would change drastically when the US invaded Afghanistan after 9/11.Now,they were the enemy and the US pressed Pakistan to take action against them too.
US military action in Afghanistan prompted many of the foreign terrorists and Al Qaeda operatives to flee into Pakistan,through the porous border with Afghanistan.Some of the most feared terrorists in the world,were thus apprehended in Pakistan,and handed over to the US.
But then,the backlash began.These groups exacted their revenge and unleashed a wave of seemingly never ending suicide bombings in Pakistan,killing and wounding hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis.
Having lived through those harrowing days myself,reading this book,brought back some very uncomfortable memories.And also the uncomfortable realization that there are too many terrorist organizations in Pakistan,of different shades and many of them are home grown.Rising poverty,unemployment and indoctrination continue to swell their ranks.
Thankfully,since the last few years at least,things are not as bad as they once were.
November 20, 2017
Unravelling of Pakistan-
1)An unbiased account of Pakistan from a Pakistani himself that made the book more readble.
2)There are total 11 chapters in this books
*Pakistan's unholy alliance: The militants &the military
*Volte-face
*Inside jihad: Army of the pure
*Nursery for jihad
*The conflict within
*Kashmir: A general on a tightrope
*The war comes home: Al-Qaeda in pakistan
*The tribal warriors
*Rogue in the ranks: The nuclear black market
*The siege within: The return of the mullahs
*Fault lines
3)The way the author written this book is awesome and language is very easy and anyone can complete this book in a single day.
4) A lot of valuable information you will get about pakistan , the way their military personnel thinks & their alliance with the extremist,nuclear proliferation, Kashmir issue, Hafiz Saeed,general Zia -ul-haq,the controversial tenure of general musharraf,about afghan jihad etc.
5) Though there is no photographs available in this book which the author should have included to make it more interesting but anyways the book is very valuable in itself.
6) Those who enjoys to read about pakistan and in general about international relations should read this book .
I hope u like the review,thanks for reading."Jai hind.
1)An unbiased account of Pakistan from a Pakistani himself that made the book more readble.
2)There are total 11 chapters in this books
*Pakistan's unholy alliance: The militants &the military
*Volte-face
*Inside jihad: Army of the pure
*Nursery for jihad
*The conflict within
*Kashmir: A general on a tightrope
*The war comes home: Al-Qaeda in pakistan
*The tribal warriors
*Rogue in the ranks: The nuclear black market
*The siege within: The return of the mullahs
*Fault lines
3)The way the author written this book is awesome and language is very easy and anyone can complete this book in a single day.
4) A lot of valuable information you will get about pakistan , the way their military personnel thinks & their alliance with the extremist,nuclear proliferation, Kashmir issue, Hafiz Saeed,general Zia -ul-haq,the controversial tenure of general musharraf,about afghan jihad etc.
5) Though there is no photographs available in this book which the author should have included to make it more interesting but anyways the book is very valuable in itself.
6) Those who enjoys to read about pakistan and in general about international relations should read this book .
I hope u like the review,thanks for reading."Jai hind.
January 12, 2022
Easy read on the role and significance of Pakistan in the war on terror.
Was relatively young in the early 2000s but remember seeing the face of General Musharraf everywhere on CNN and other popular news channels.
This book tells the story of the rise of jihadist rhetoric and practice from the Soviet-Afghan war era through to its present day manifestation. I believe it provides a factual chronicle of what could happen when short term convenience is placed above long term stability. General Musharraf's constant combination of progressive posturing with retrogressive realpolitik is a sad piece of amusement and shows how fickle minded people in power can be, when faced with real responsibility.
The author, who is also a journalist, writes in an easy style and uses his journalistic skill to make the work come across as a retelling of the events as they happened while dissecting the real causes in the background.
Was relatively young in the early 2000s but remember seeing the face of General Musharraf everywhere on CNN and other popular news channels.
This book tells the story of the rise of jihadist rhetoric and practice from the Soviet-Afghan war era through to its present day manifestation. I believe it provides a factual chronicle of what could happen when short term convenience is placed above long term stability. General Musharraf's constant combination of progressive posturing with retrogressive realpolitik is a sad piece of amusement and shows how fickle minded people in power can be, when faced with real responsibility.
The author, who is also a journalist, writes in an easy style and uses his journalistic skill to make the work come across as a retelling of the events as they happened while dissecting the real causes in the background.
October 27, 2020
An honest, impartial and unbiased analysis. Worth reading.
October 5, 2024
Sept 6, 2021 Sept 17, 2021
March 24, 2017
the book gives some insight in pakistan decision making and dilemma but seems to be written for the audience in West. presents quite a pessimist view of the country without giving the devil it's due share of creating the jihadist factories by the same US who is given clean chit. it was us who abandoned Afghanistan after Russian defeat and left the chaos to be settled by warlords in Afghanistan whose direct fallout was TALIBAN AND AL-QAEDA. ..
June 12, 2015
All those who intend to read this book to gain a novel insight into the Pakistani dilemma of balancing both religion and modernism ,you will be absolutely dis-hearted. For you , this account offers nothing new. the same old cliché of how Musharaf's reluctant u-turn of his policies altered the overall milieu both nationally and internationally are jotted herein.
However, this is not the fault of the author nor is his script utterly banal. Rather for someone starting afresh on the course of understanding Pakistan and the hard choices it's leaders face today, this book does wonders. the narrative from president Musharaf's dictatorship to the late period of his rule is typed herein under 11 various chapters. each of these describe the intricate process of decision making while proving how Pakistan's foreign policy and its role in international politics are grossly influenced by factors at home.
However, this is not the fault of the author nor is his script utterly banal. Rather for someone starting afresh on the course of understanding Pakistan and the hard choices it's leaders face today, this book does wonders. the narrative from president Musharaf's dictatorship to the late period of his rule is typed herein under 11 various chapters. each of these describe the intricate process of decision making while proving how Pakistan's foreign policy and its role in international politics are grossly influenced by factors at home.
April 20, 2010
A lot of interesting information however it focuses only on the bad things, and if taken out of context would give the perception that Pakistan is a pretty frightening place. There is a lot of good information, and is written from a fairly un-biased perspective, although it is seems to be pretty harsh against the Pakistan military, there does not seem to be any international bias.
July 27, 2016
Good read, provides good inside details of Pakistani politics and terrorism.I was amazed to learn that after 9/11 so many Taliban/ Al Qaida leaders were in Quetta. It's crazy to think worlds most wanted terrorist bin Laden,Mullah Omar, Khaled sheikh Mohammad, Zawahiri also lived in Quetta. The book also take you to the beautiful but disputed region of Kashmire.
August 17, 2008
Quite an interesting read and gave some valuable insight
July 4, 2016
A book which can be completed in a single sitting. Worth reading and you can't put it aside before completing.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews