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The Battle for Pakistan : The Bitter US Friendship and a Tough Neighbourhood
The Battle for Pakistan showcases a marriage of convenience between unequal partners. The relationship the US has shared with Pakistan since the early 1950s has been nothing less than a roller coaster ride. Today, surrounded by hostile neighbours, with Afghanistan on its way to becoming an Indian satellite, Pakistan does not wish to break ties with the US. But will their missteps in the Obama years prove too costly? And how will the Trump administration salvage this? Based on many on record interviews with key leaders, The Battle for Pakistan untangles this complex relationship.
400 pages, hardcover
First published May 15, 2020
31 people are currently reading
480 people want to read
About the author
Shuja Nawaz
7 books32 followersShuja Nawaz is a political and strategic analyst. He is a Distinguished Fellow, South Asia Center at the Atlantic Council In Washington DC.
He writes for leading newspapers and The Huffington Post, and speaks on current topics before civic groups, at think tanks, and on radio and television. He has worked on projects with RAND, the United States Institute of Peace, The Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Atlantic Council, and other leading think tanks on projects dealing with Pakistan and the Middle East. In January 2009 he was made the first Director of the South Asia Center at The Atlantic Council of the United States.
Mr. Nawaz was educated at Gordon College, Rawalpindi, where he obtained a BA in Economics and English literature, and the Graduate School of Journalism of Columbia University in New York, where he was a Cabot Fellow and won the Henry Taylor International Correspondent Award. He was a newscaster and news and current affairs producer for Pakistan Television from 1967 to 1972 and covered the western front of the 1971 war between Pakistan and India as well as President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s visit to China January-February 1972.
He has worked for the New York Times, the World Health Organization, and has headed three separate divisions at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He was also a director at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna from 1999 to 2001, while on leave from the IMF. Mr. Nawaz was the managing editor and then Editor of Finance & Development, the multilingual quarterly of the IMF and the World Bank. He served on the editorial advisory board of the World Bank Research Observer.
He is the author of Crossed Swords: Pakistan, its Army, and the Wars Within (Oxford University Press 2nd edition 2017). He is also the principal author of FATA: A Most Dangerous Place (CSIS, Washington DC January 2009), Pakistan in the Danger Zone: A Tenuous US-Pakistan Relationship (Atlantic Council 2010), Learning by Doing: The Pakistan Army’s Experience with Counterinsurgency (Atlantic Council 2011), and with Mohan Guruswamy, with a Foreword by former Secretary of State George Shultz India-Pakistan: The Opportunity Cost of Conflict (Atlantic Council 2014).
His book of verse in English Journeys was published originally by Oxford University Press and re-issued by Fort Hill in 2017. His second book of verse The Inner World (Archway 2017) is also available on the web.
Experience
Headed three separate divisions of the International Monetary Fund; was the first Director of a large division of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria; and a journalist with The New York Times and Pakistan Television news and current affairs division. Also helped launch a monthly newspaper for the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.
He is also an expert in publishing and communications strategies, training, and an experienced editor, who has helped international organizations and firms improve their operations and better disseminate their messages. He has also advised governments in Asia and Africa.
International Monetary Fund & the World Bank, Washington DC
Editor and Division Chief Finance & Development, the joint quarterly of the IMF and the World Bank, published in seven languages from seven sites around the world. Designed readership surveys and computerized subscription system.
Division Chief, IMF Institute, responsible for managing the administration of training programs in Washington DC and overseas. Set up overseas training centers and helped introduce distance learning.
Division Chief, Multimedia Services, responsible for information and knowledge management of the IMF through publishing services, content management, portal, internet, intranet, and extranets.
Helped manage first IMF-wide Information Management program.
Participated in World Bank and IMF missions to Indonesia, The Gambia and many other countries in Europe, Africa, the M
He writes for leading newspapers and The Huffington Post, and speaks on current topics before civic groups, at think tanks, and on radio and television. He has worked on projects with RAND, the United States Institute of Peace, The Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Atlantic Council, and other leading think tanks on projects dealing with Pakistan and the Middle East. In January 2009 he was made the first Director of the South Asia Center at The Atlantic Council of the United States.
Mr. Nawaz was educated at Gordon College, Rawalpindi, where he obtained a BA in Economics and English literature, and the Graduate School of Journalism of Columbia University in New York, where he was a Cabot Fellow and won the Henry Taylor International Correspondent Award. He was a newscaster and news and current affairs producer for Pakistan Television from 1967 to 1972 and covered the western front of the 1971 war between Pakistan and India as well as President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s visit to China January-February 1972.
He has worked for the New York Times, the World Health Organization, and has headed three separate divisions at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He was also a director at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna from 1999 to 2001, while on leave from the IMF. Mr. Nawaz was the managing editor and then Editor of Finance & Development, the multilingual quarterly of the IMF and the World Bank. He served on the editorial advisory board of the World Bank Research Observer.
He is the author of Crossed Swords: Pakistan, its Army, and the Wars Within (Oxford University Press 2nd edition 2017). He is also the principal author of FATA: A Most Dangerous Place (CSIS, Washington DC January 2009), Pakistan in the Danger Zone: A Tenuous US-Pakistan Relationship (Atlantic Council 2010), Learning by Doing: The Pakistan Army’s Experience with Counterinsurgency (Atlantic Council 2011), and with Mohan Guruswamy, with a Foreword by former Secretary of State George Shultz India-Pakistan: The Opportunity Cost of Conflict (Atlantic Council 2014).
His book of verse in English Journeys was published originally by Oxford University Press and re-issued by Fort Hill in 2017. His second book of verse The Inner World (Archway 2017) is also available on the web.
Experience
Headed three separate divisions of the International Monetary Fund; was the first Director of a large division of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria; and a journalist with The New York Times and Pakistan Television news and current affairs division. Also helped launch a monthly newspaper for the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.
He is also an expert in publishing and communications strategies, training, and an experienced editor, who has helped international organizations and firms improve their operations and better disseminate their messages. He has also advised governments in Asia and Africa.
International Monetary Fund & the World Bank, Washington DC
Editor and Division Chief Finance & Development, the joint quarterly of the IMF and the World Bank, published in seven languages from seven sites around the world. Designed readership surveys and computerized subscription system.
Division Chief, IMF Institute, responsible for managing the administration of training programs in Washington DC and overseas. Set up overseas training centers and helped introduce distance learning.
Division Chief, Multimedia Services, responsible for information and knowledge management of the IMF through publishing services, content management, portal, internet, intranet, and extranets.
Helped manage first IMF-wide Information Management program.
Participated in World Bank and IMF missions to Indonesia, The Gambia and many other countries in Europe, Africa, the M
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 24, 2019
In the post 9/11 years, a multitude of “Pakistan experts” emerged and the bookshelves were flooded with books containing the words ‘Pakistan’, ‘crisis’, ‘storm’ or ‘battle’. In my opinion, very few writers from outside Pakistan (and even inside) have explored the country, its politics and its regional dynamics pre- and post-9/11. I consider Shuja Nawaz as one of the authors who, both as an insider and an outsider, written about Pakistan’s civil-military imbalance and foreign policy while maintaining balance and equanimity.
Having read books on Pakistan-US relations in the last decade (including but not limited to: Directorate S, The Dispensable Nation, War on Peace, India vs Pakistan, Sleepwalking to Surrender, The Wrong Enemy, The Way of the Knife), one gets a general outline of the ebb and flow of the relationship between the two countries. What Shuja’s book does is to add an insider’s narrative on the events and puts things in perspective. It starts off on the Pakistan side with the political reshuffling underway in 2006 when Musharraf wanted to sign an NRO with Benazir Bhutto (BB) and a few months before that Nawaz Sharif and BB had signed the Charter of Democracy. Musharraf wanted to share power with BB but on his own terms, as a dominant partner. BB was not interested in such a lopsided setup and was gathering allies in the US before her trip to Pakistan. Musharraf was fighting many fires in 2007, the chief one among them was ‘Lawyers Movement’, allegedly an internecine conflict involving different intelligence agencies. BB landed in Pakistan in October and faced a bomb blast in which she survived but more than 100 of her dedicated party workers perished. In December, BB was not so lucky and became the target of another assassination attempt. Musharraf had lost the plot. Fresh Elections were held and BB’s party took control of the Federal government. Musharraf tried to maneuver a role for himself in the democratic setup but had to resign in August 2008. It was a new era for Pakistan and the political class was in charge after 9 years of complete military rule. Shuja was a first-hand witness to BB’s deliberations in the US and provides an insight into her mindset and that of Zardari at the time.
There was a change of guard in the US as well. Obama was elected President on the promise of quitting the useless, forever wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the first Obama term, there was the morass known as ‘Af-Pak’ policy review with State Dept, CIA, Military on one side and Richard Holbrooke on the other. In the end, with all possible information, Obama chose to announce an exit timetable from Afghanistan alongside a surge of troops. That was a blunder, as has been acknowledged by people in the Obama Foreign Policy team. The details of this process have been documented by Steve Coll and Vali Nasr in their respective books but Shuja provides further insight gained from candid interviews with key stakeholders and policymakers including Bruce Reidel. One particular thing that caught my eye was the discussion on Haqqani Network. I have always wondered why Pakistan protected them with such rigor and passion. A ‘senior Pakistani army officer’ told Seymour Hirsch that Haqqanis had “facilitated the evacuation of ISI personnel and their friends from Kunduz” and that was why they were regarded highly. Shuja thinks its not the right answer and I tend to agree with that. I wrote about the infamous Kunduz airlift here (link) and wish more Pakistanis would know about that incident.
With the arrival of Obama, the Musharraf-Bush ‘bromance’ post-9/11 was also over. Pakistan had received generous US aid and support (Non-NATO ally status and more) as a result of that relationship. The year 2008 changed that. Things went from bad to worse in 2011 though. Shuja has reserved a major chunk of his book on what happened in that fateful year. It was the year of Raymond Davis, of the OBL operation (my first ever blog for Dawn was on the OBL raid and I remember writing about the incident in Urdu while sitting in a General surgery lecture during May 2011), Memogate and Salala.
In my opinion, the book is recommended reading for people interested in Pakistan, its civil-military relations and how the US treats its relation with Pakistan.
Having read books on Pakistan-US relations in the last decade (including but not limited to: Directorate S, The Dispensable Nation, War on Peace, India vs Pakistan, Sleepwalking to Surrender, The Wrong Enemy, The Way of the Knife), one gets a general outline of the ebb and flow of the relationship between the two countries. What Shuja’s book does is to add an insider’s narrative on the events and puts things in perspective. It starts off on the Pakistan side with the political reshuffling underway in 2006 when Musharraf wanted to sign an NRO with Benazir Bhutto (BB) and a few months before that Nawaz Sharif and BB had signed the Charter of Democracy. Musharraf wanted to share power with BB but on his own terms, as a dominant partner. BB was not interested in such a lopsided setup and was gathering allies in the US before her trip to Pakistan. Musharraf was fighting many fires in 2007, the chief one among them was ‘Lawyers Movement’, allegedly an internecine conflict involving different intelligence agencies. BB landed in Pakistan in October and faced a bomb blast in which she survived but more than 100 of her dedicated party workers perished. In December, BB was not so lucky and became the target of another assassination attempt. Musharraf had lost the plot. Fresh Elections were held and BB’s party took control of the Federal government. Musharraf tried to maneuver a role for himself in the democratic setup but had to resign in August 2008. It was a new era for Pakistan and the political class was in charge after 9 years of complete military rule. Shuja was a first-hand witness to BB’s deliberations in the US and provides an insight into her mindset and that of Zardari at the time.
There was a change of guard in the US as well. Obama was elected President on the promise of quitting the useless, forever wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the first Obama term, there was the morass known as ‘Af-Pak’ policy review with State Dept, CIA, Military on one side and Richard Holbrooke on the other. In the end, with all possible information, Obama chose to announce an exit timetable from Afghanistan alongside a surge of troops. That was a blunder, as has been acknowledged by people in the Obama Foreign Policy team. The details of this process have been documented by Steve Coll and Vali Nasr in their respective books but Shuja provides further insight gained from candid interviews with key stakeholders and policymakers including Bruce Reidel. One particular thing that caught my eye was the discussion on Haqqani Network. I have always wondered why Pakistan protected them with such rigor and passion. A ‘senior Pakistani army officer’ told Seymour Hirsch that Haqqanis had “facilitated the evacuation of ISI personnel and their friends from Kunduz” and that was why they were regarded highly. Shuja thinks its not the right answer and I tend to agree with that. I wrote about the infamous Kunduz airlift here (link) and wish more Pakistanis would know about that incident.
With the arrival of Obama, the Musharraf-Bush ‘bromance’ post-9/11 was also over. Pakistan had received generous US aid and support (Non-NATO ally status and more) as a result of that relationship. The year 2008 changed that. Things went from bad to worse in 2011 though. Shuja has reserved a major chunk of his book on what happened in that fateful year. It was the year of Raymond Davis, of the OBL operation (my first ever blog for Dawn was on the OBL raid and I remember writing about the incident in Urdu while sitting in a General surgery lecture during May 2011), Memogate and Salala.
In my opinion, the book is recommended reading for people interested in Pakistan, its civil-military relations and how the US treats its relation with Pakistan.
April 25, 2021
A very detailed and fairly neutral review of Pakistan’s last three decades amply covering major incidents that shaped its current situation and relationship with USA. As per my opinion one cannot judge Pakistan’s actions in the region especially on its eastern front without a holistic review of happenings across its eastern border in particular and the region in general. Rise of an anarchist Modi in the India, increased Indian dominance and fiddling inside Afghanistan, Indian covert ops inside Pakistan especially apprehension of Kalbhusahn, further compounded Pakistan’s insecurities. Author overlooked the idea that currently Might is right instead of right is might. Insecurities of a comparatively smaller Pakistan sharing neighbourhood with gigantic India and China not withstanding, a historically volatile Afghanistan and a cunning Iran with own agenda further accentuates Pakistan’s worries. Author totally ignored these issues and judged actions of Pakistan with an American lens, thanks to his American lifestyle for last 30 or so years. Author may try consulting sources other than American funded projects and their narrative of History. That will definitely give his write up an honest opinion. Thank you.
December 22, 2020
Although the book has some good insights into various meetings and incidents, it aims to mainly forward the US point of view regarding its problems with its relationship with Pakistan. It totally ignores the role of US in destabilising the region including Pakistan, supporting militants it likes, and killing thousands of civilians.
The main thrust of the book is how Pakistan doesnt fight the militants the US wants it to. But failing to mention that the US has now conveniently put the same militants (it was asking Pak to fight) in power in Afghanistan and is leaving the region (negotiations had alread started at the time of publishing this book). This was exactly what Pakistan army feared and hence didnt want to antoganize those groups in Afghanistan, as it believed at the end US will strike a deal with them while leaving the region and Pak will be left to deal with those groups alone.
There is a lot of criticism of Pak army, some of it is very valid, but very weak and vague suggestions to improve those weaknesses have been given.
The main thrust of the book is how Pakistan doesnt fight the militants the US wants it to. But failing to mention that the US has now conveniently put the same militants (it was asking Pak to fight) in power in Afghanistan and is leaving the region (negotiations had alread started at the time of publishing this book). This was exactly what Pakistan army feared and hence didnt want to antoganize those groups in Afghanistan, as it believed at the end US will strike a deal with them while leaving the region and Pak will be left to deal with those groups alone.
There is a lot of criticism of Pak army, some of it is very valid, but very weak and vague suggestions to improve those weaknesses have been given.
August 2, 2020
It's an excellent book written by Shuja Nawaz. Interesting inside stories amid friendship between Pakistan & US turing sour. How Pakistani top brass Generals from Army do play their parts in the politics of Pakistan and her relationships with the other countries on the globe.
The book is a good read for Pakistani students of political and social sciences.
The book is a good read for Pakistani students of political and social sciences.
August 16, 2020
A cautious insight into Pak-US relations mainly based on proven and established fact-sheet. Treadmill of soury relations are based on transanctionalism, do more mantra and mistrust. Parallel apprehensions about the other, marked the relations with certain degree of doubts, distrust and agony.
Key to rapproachment lies in Thucydides dictum of " Fear, Respect and Honour".
Key to rapproachment lies in Thucydides dictum of " Fear, Respect and Honour".
November 14, 2022
2.5 rather.
I already knew most of the information that is in the book. Author plugged himself in every situation he could find a way to do so; and after a while it crossed the accepted line.
Could have been muxh much more.
I already knew most of the information that is in the book. Author plugged himself in every situation he could find a way to do so; and after a while it crossed the accepted line.
Could have been muxh much more.
January 30, 2021
I think the author got his thesis spot on. If the oft cited Thucydides dictum of 'Fear, Respect and Honour' are to be applied as the guiding principles in state relations that James Mattis and HR McMaster (amongst others) often cited in the Trump administration, the same needs to be applied in case of United States transactional and symbiotic relationship with Pakistan. Pakistan is either the frontline state or the forgotten state for the USA and this is now a very hard wired national memory that every Pakistani carries. If the US and it's allies want to become true partners in Pakistan's progress, they need to understand it's fears, it's need for respect and a honourable manner for interaction. Public criticism of Pakistan, an apparent ally, with an intention to use it as a scapegoat after creating a mess of astronomical scale in Afghanistan (ISAF employing close to 20 commanders in 20 years) should stop and the US state apparatus needs to take a leaf out of the Chinese methodology here (though it's not ideal- subject of another book).
A very free flowing, well articulated and balanced book for the mango people interested in Pakistan, Afghanistan, War on Terror and it's fall out that ends with a hefty dose of future possibilities and suggestions!
A very free flowing, well articulated and balanced book for the mango people interested in Pakistan, Afghanistan, War on Terror and it's fall out that ends with a hefty dose of future possibilities and suggestions!
April 25, 2020
The book covers the US-Pakistan relations, civil-military relations, and the nature of Pakistani politics. It sheds light onto the primarily concealed 'deep state' of Pakistan as well. In the concluding chapters, the author has presented an analysis on the future of Pakistan keeping in view the geopolitical, domestic, environmental, and security challenges confronting it. The
The author has defined a clear path for Pakistan in its relations with the U.S., India, Afghanistan, Iran, China, and other crucial actors on the global stage. Mr. Nawaz has also pointed out the fallacies in the military and civilian bureaucracy of Pakistan.
Overall, the book should be an interesting read to those who are interested in knowing more about the domestic and international politics of Pakistan. More importantly, it explains the social, historical, bureaucratic, economic, and security-related factors which have and continue to guide its policies.
The author has defined a clear path for Pakistan in its relations with the U.S., India, Afghanistan, Iran, China, and other crucial actors on the global stage. Mr. Nawaz has also pointed out the fallacies in the military and civilian bureaucracy of Pakistan.
Overall, the book should be an interesting read to those who are interested in knowing more about the domestic and international politics of Pakistan. More importantly, it explains the social, historical, bureaucratic, economic, and security-related factors which have and continue to guide its policies.
July 13, 2023
I read the book to refresh my memory about the developments in Pak-U.S. relations. It did not offer me too much on Pak-U.S. relations during the War on Terror. Perhaps, it was because the subject is not totally unfamiliar to me. It does have some interesting insights here and there, though. For instance, I did enjoy reading the passages on the Salala incident and how it impacted Pak-U.S. relations and the parts where he discusses the internal working of the PML-N government.
November 11, 2021
In this book you’ll find the US has been segregating civilian and military officials to meet their goals. Simultaneously, our officials had tried hard to adopt policy of appeasement for the US . Pakistan and the US relations have been Afghan centric . While Pakistan have been trying to diverse them into political , economic and social domains.
December 26, 2022
Author has given much detail on the engagement and estrangement between Pak US relations. Discussed military and civil relations as well.he portrait a gud image of military and ISI .in few places he gave extra ordinary detail about army training and US administration.having No concern with the public. Very comprehensive book from2007 to 2019.
July 16, 2020
An important book on Pak-US relations by a prominent Pakistani analyst and think-tanker Mr. Shuja Nawaz. Starting from where he finished his previous book on the Pakistani Army, Crossed Swords, Nawaz covers the period from 2008-2018. He offers a sharp analysis of the goings-on in the turbulent world of Pakistani politics and covers the democratic governments of PPP and PML-N and their relationship with the then US government of Democratic president B. Obama.
An important addition to the already large amount of literature available on Pak-US ties. Recommended.
An important addition to the already large amount of literature available on Pak-US ties. Recommended.
October 2, 2020
My first book on our Neighbour...of which we know quite less...quite interesting read .. understanding how and what trial and tribulations go on there is a must for every informed Indian ..enticed to know more and read more ...
April 2, 2022
I am writing this review on 2nd April, 2022. This showcases, how this book provides an insight into the "friendship" Pakistan has with the US of A. The PM faces a no confidence vote backed by USA, while the military "ensures" democracy.
Confessions of an economic hitman reins supreme.
Confessions of an economic hitman reins supreme.
May 26, 2020
Simply Delicious ! That's the kind of dessert I like to taste. Mr. Nawaz is archangel of the US-Pakistan Relationship.
Read
January 12, 2021This was a really eye-opening account of the USA's treatment of Pakistan
December 1, 2021
An excellent account of US Pak relations.
December 30, 2022
A very good book on Pakistan-US relations, providing some insights and recommendations for Pakistan.Does a good SWOT analysis in some ways.
March 16, 2023
Although there are a few pages of great research and insigh but overall a disappointment when compared with Shuja's earlier masterpiece "Crossed Swords"
Read
September 1, 2023Great Book on Pakistan from 2007 to 2019.
December 7, 2020
Excellent book, recommended for strategic students
January 26, 2020
One has to understand the historical perspective in which Pakistan came into being & the security challenges it faces, before commenting & analyzing the policies & relationship towards US, India, China & rest of the world.
Pakistan came into being without any war or battle, it was just a political struggle which resulted in an Independent country. Since it's independence the disparity in sizes, resources, population & geography with India, resulted in an inherent security risk. Pakistan is the only country in this region (China isn't included), which challenges the hegemony of India. This challenge force Pakistan to make policies accordingly.
The relationship with US since beginning had many ups & downs & that is mostly because of inconsistent policies of US. This irony & strange that the country like US with established political institutions & administration, keep changing it's policies every now & then. It's not just Pakistan towards, which US changed policies often, rather with so many other states. It is very evident that, US see the world from the prism it has created, which most of the time give them a complete different picture of the world, which is far from realities on the ground.
Shuja Nawaz has put brilliantly the reasons behind the decisions, which Pakistan took after 9/11. One can't change neighbors. As expected US will withdraw from Afghanistan, without considering anything about region & Pakistan's establishment made all decisions around this idea & with hindsight they were right.
The internal terrorism in Pakistan was a blow back of several factors which includes, Afghan War, Kashmir policy, lack of control on law & order, lack of capacity of Pakistan's LEAs & lack of political & military control over the affairs in Pakistan.
Pakistan state (Civil & Military) both let religiously indoctrinated organizations to flourish within Pakistan for over 4 decades, without any control & restrictions. This lead to a situation where Frankenstein monster came after state itself.
The insight of US administration & Pakistan's military establishment, which Shuja Nawaz put in this book, made a lot of things very clear as what happened, though most of the historic event during this time frame has been quoted in several books, & are well known facts, but this book helped in connecting the dots & make the picture more clear.
Pakistan came into being without any war or battle, it was just a political struggle which resulted in an Independent country. Since it's independence the disparity in sizes, resources, population & geography with India, resulted in an inherent security risk. Pakistan is the only country in this region (China isn't included), which challenges the hegemony of India. This challenge force Pakistan to make policies accordingly.
The relationship with US since beginning had many ups & downs & that is mostly because of inconsistent policies of US. This irony & strange that the country like US with established political institutions & administration, keep changing it's policies every now & then. It's not just Pakistan towards, which US changed policies often, rather with so many other states. It is very evident that, US see the world from the prism it has created, which most of the time give them a complete different picture of the world, which is far from realities on the ground.
Shuja Nawaz has put brilliantly the reasons behind the decisions, which Pakistan took after 9/11. One can't change neighbors. As expected US will withdraw from Afghanistan, without considering anything about region & Pakistan's establishment made all decisions around this idea & with hindsight they were right.
The internal terrorism in Pakistan was a blow back of several factors which includes, Afghan War, Kashmir policy, lack of control on law & order, lack of capacity of Pakistan's LEAs & lack of political & military control over the affairs in Pakistan.
Pakistan state (Civil & Military) both let religiously indoctrinated organizations to flourish within Pakistan for over 4 decades, without any control & restrictions. This lead to a situation where Frankenstein monster came after state itself.
The insight of US administration & Pakistan's military establishment, which Shuja Nawaz put in this book, made a lot of things very clear as what happened, though most of the historic event during this time frame has been quoted in several books, & are well known facts, but this book helped in connecting the dots & make the picture more clear.
October 30, 2019
The book is essentially about the dysfunctional relationship of the USA and Pakistan – a stormy marriage – no divorce, but no reconciliation either.
Since its sanguine inception, Pakistan has been ruled by the three A’s – America, Army and Allah. To continue with alphabets, the bisected country views I through the prism of K. Whereas India with its bumbling, noisy but healthy democracy has grown from the much ridiculed “Hindu Rate of Growth” of 3% to nearly 7%, it is the converse for Pakistan. This can be clearly attributed to the Army’s (whose raison d’etre is the imagined hegemonic intentions of India) constant interference in the feudal version of their democracy.
Rather than offering options for Pakistan to mend itself, the author expects the US and its largesse through the IMF and World Bank to keep bailing it of its quagmire of poor economic growth and a rapid rise in religious fundamentalism. Here, I am afraid India is emulating its Western neighbour – although the hue of fundamentalism is saffron and not green. Pakistan wants the US to rein in India as a perceived threat – whereas, any form of mediation is anathema to the Indians. Ironically, America funded madarassas to raise jihadists to fight the Soviets.
The author has astutely realized that the “all weather friend” China cleverly doles out its billions with a lot of strings attached, none of which are altruistic in nature.
That there are clannish Rajputs, albeit in a Muslim garb, in Pakistan was an eyeopener for me. One did not expect a dispassionate account as the author is related to many Army officers. Nonetheless, an immensely readable book, though some bits tend to get a tad repetitive.
Since its sanguine inception, Pakistan has been ruled by the three A’s – America, Army and Allah. To continue with alphabets, the bisected country views I through the prism of K. Whereas India with its bumbling, noisy but healthy democracy has grown from the much ridiculed “Hindu Rate of Growth” of 3% to nearly 7%, it is the converse for Pakistan. This can be clearly attributed to the Army’s (whose raison d’etre is the imagined hegemonic intentions of India) constant interference in the feudal version of their democracy.
Rather than offering options for Pakistan to mend itself, the author expects the US and its largesse through the IMF and World Bank to keep bailing it of its quagmire of poor economic growth and a rapid rise in religious fundamentalism. Here, I am afraid India is emulating its Western neighbour – although the hue of fundamentalism is saffron and not green. Pakistan wants the US to rein in India as a perceived threat – whereas, any form of mediation is anathema to the Indians. Ironically, America funded madarassas to raise jihadists to fight the Soviets.
The author has astutely realized that the “all weather friend” China cleverly doles out its billions with a lot of strings attached, none of which are altruistic in nature.
That there are clannish Rajputs, albeit in a Muslim garb, in Pakistan was an eyeopener for me. One did not expect a dispassionate account as the author is related to many Army officers. Nonetheless, an immensely readable book, though some bits tend to get a tad repetitive.
January 5, 2020
Though the constitution of Pakistan established civilian supremacy over the military, the armed forces, and in particular the army, continue to dominate decision making in Pakistan. This has emerged largely because of its experience in running the country through successive military regimes and, to some extent, by the inability of civilian regimes to exhibit the political vision and will necessary to exert their constitutional control over the military. Current trends indicate that this situation is not likely to change in the near term. Swimming against the tide of history will be tough for a new government that is facing continuous sniping from the ancient régime.
This paragraph is summary of the book by Shuja Nawaz "The Battle for Pakistan". The author seems much inspired by Gen Kiyani and is in all out praise of the general, critical of both Pakistani civilian leadership particularly Zardari and America over later's style of dealing with Afghanistan and no centrality in decision making.
Overall good read but highly biased.
This paragraph is summary of the book by Shuja Nawaz "The Battle for Pakistan". The author seems much inspired by Gen Kiyani and is in all out praise of the general, critical of both Pakistani civilian leadership particularly Zardari and America over later's style of dealing with Afghanistan and no centrality in decision making.
Overall good read but highly biased.
January 10, 2021
Sequel of the book Crossed Swords, the author continues from 2008 finishes off at 2019.
Shuja Nawaz shed light on the relationship between United States and Pakistan and how they have seen ups and down especially after 9/11.
Shuja Nawaz shed light on the relationship between United States and Pakistan and how they have seen ups and down especially after 9/11.
January 7, 2020
A unique work which tells Pakistan's relations with the US and its importance vis-a-vis Afghanistan issue. It also describes Civil-Military relations in Pakistan.
August 24, 2020
A forensic and enlightening investigation into the troubled relationship between the US and Pakistan.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews