No-Win War: The Paradox of US-Pakistan Relations in Afghanistans Shadow

by Zahid Hussain

This book explores the post-9/11 relations between the US and Pakistan. The growing divergence between Washington and Islamabad has taken an already uneasy alliance to a point of estrangement. Yet, a complete breakup is not an option. The underlying cause of the tension, within the partnership the two had entered on 13 September 2001, has never been fully understood. What is rarely discussed is how Pakistan's decision to ally itself with the US pushed the country into a war with itself; the cost of Pakistan's tight roping between alignment with the US and old links with the Afghan Taliban; and its long-term implications for the region and global security.

This book elucidates implications for Afghanistan in the so-called war on terror while revealing US and Pakistan's foreign policy initiatives. The author explores all this through little known facts and through the players involved in this cloak and dagger game. The book tells the story behind the how equivocal is ISI's break with the Afghan Taliban fighting the coalition forces in Afghanistan; the shootout in Lahore involving a CIA agent; and the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Genres: Pakistan

372 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Sardar Alam Shafqat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the best books on Pak, Afghan and US Relations from 2001-2020. Well investigated book by Zahid Hussain.

[Aqeel Haider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completed this wonderful book revealing Shocking facts.

Book: 𝑵𝒐 𝑾𝒊𝒏 𝑾𝒂𝒓

Author: 𝒁𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒅 𝑯𝒖𝒔𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒏
Zahid Hussain is Award winning journalist and author.He is also former correspondent of 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑳𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒏 and 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍.He is author of 2 books(Pakistan frontline state and Scorpion's tail).
Author is well acknowledged in foreign and Pakistani Intelligentsia.

Genre: Political affairs/International relations.

Rating: 4.9/5

𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘: Book is filled with shocking facts and figures regarding US-Pak relations in shadow of Afghan war enigma that kept reader engaged till its end. Its has total 18 Chapters and 310 pages.

⭐ Chapter 1(𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲)
This Chapter follows timeline of 13 September 2001. 2 days After 9/11 when US decided to invade Afghanistan.They were asking Pakistan for his help in Afghanistan.Highlights the US pressure on Pakistan for air bases and GLOC's.

⭐ Chapter 2(𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐢𝐧)
This Chapter follows timeline End of November 2001. After invasion, Bonn conference happened where puppet regime was installed by US in Afghanistan.How it happened? Why US kept Taliban out of that.How it proved to be Sin that kept US haunting till end.

⭐ Chapter 3(𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐚𝐧)
This Chapter follows timeline of November 2001. When US invaded Afghanistan,US supported Northern Alliance entered in Kabul. Taliban retreated to Khandhar.How they scattered and reorganised till 2005. Taliban formulated the strategy of Resistance.

⭐Chapter 4(𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞)
This Chapter follows timeline of End of 2002.This chapter indicates story of Osama bin Laden escape from Tora bora to FATA then to Shangala Swat after US Bombing of Tora Bora mountainous range on Pak Afghan Border.

⭐ Chapter 5(𝐍𝐨𝐭-𝐬𝐨-𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐫)
This Chapter follows timeline of March 2007.
After Musharraf NRO to Benazir Butto,How she was launch in Pak as legitimate US ally in Pak.After Musharraf handed over command of Army to Gen Kayani, how Al-Qaeda start building up in FATA. How its posed great threat to Pak internal Security.And Pakistan covet support to Drone attacks in FATA in Obama's administration.

⭐ Chapter 6(𝐓𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧)
This Chapter follows timeline of 27 March 2009. This Chapter shed light on events in that timeline.Obama start building up pressure on Pak for Operation in FATA. As it was stronghold of insurgents due to porous border.Insurgency also rooted strongly in Swat.

⭐ Chapter 7(𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐕𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲)
This Chapter follows timeline of 6 Oct 2009.
In this Chapter important event is kerry lugar bill that instigate Military establishment.Civil Government led by Zardari trying to proved his loyalty to US.

⭐ Chapter 8(𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐟𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧)
This Chapter follows timeline of Mid 2010.
When Gen kayani inquired from newly appointed Commander of US forces in Afghanistan Gen David Petraus his strategy to win the war. Interesting insight in military to military relationships.COIN term came on the Scene as it was followed in Iraq by Gen David Petraus.

⭐ Chapter 9(𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐰)
This Chapter follows timeline of 27 January 2011.
When Raymond davis issue pop up and unearthed the spy network of CIA. That undermining ISI operations. How that Quagmire soughted end with help of military established with approval of civil government.

⭐ Chapter 10(𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐝)
This Chapter follows timeline of 1 May 2011.
How Abbottabad operation conducted by US.Who was involved in it and draw back of it on US-Pak relations.

⭐ Chapter 11(𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐒𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞)
This Chapter follows timeline of 26 May 2011.
In this Chapter, salala incident and memogate crisis opened up. Hussain haqqani role in US regarding issuance of visa's to Black water. Military established suspicion on Zardari intentions.Desperate US failed strategy in Afghanistan blame game on Pak covet support to Haqqani network.

⭐ Chapter 12(𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲)
This Chapter follows timeline of 4 Dec 2011.
US reluctant to apologize what they did in salala and Pakistan cut of the GLoC's To NATO that Hurted US. After 7 months Sorry but not sorry episode happened.

⭐ Chapter 13(𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐚𝐧)
This Chapter follows timeline of 1 August 2013.
First time US acknowledged the need for dialogue and peaceful exit from Afghanistan that leads to opening up Doha office by Tabliban but Hard preconditions put process in vain.

⭐ Chapter 14(𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰)
This Chapter follows timeline of November 2013.
When Pak army finally took decision to start operation in North Waziristan. That was stronghold of Haqqani network and TTP. How army has done operation interested insight.

⭐ Chapter 15(𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐡 𝐎𝐦𝐞𝐫)
This Chapter follows timeline of 7 July 2015.
That time finally news came of Mullah Omer death and struggle of power between Talibans. Finally winner Mullah Akhtar mansoor. His difference with mullah Yaqoob son of mullah omer.

⭐Chapter 16(𝐌𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞)
This Chapter follows timeline January 2017.
When Trump was at the helm. Pak US relationship hits lowest ebb due to Haqqani network and Pakistan dubious role as per US allegations.

⭐ Chapter 17(𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐟𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧)
This Chapter follows timeline January 2018.
When Trump was eager to exit from Afghanistan.Doha process and nomination of Khalilzad to lead the process and critical role of Pak.

⭐ Chapter 18(𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞)
This Chapter follows timeline of 26 February 2020.
After many deadlocks and hard negotiations.final peace accord with Taliban and US ended the 20 years long war. Tabliban and Afghanistan Government dialogue for rule in country.

♦️Mʏ Vɪᴇᴡs ᴀғᴛᴇʀ Rᴇᴀᴅ♦️

Highly #Recommended by myself. It will give you interested insight to Pak-US relationship in shadow of Afghanistan.How estrange allies remained together after so much distrust and animosity.

[Basit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most knowledgeable book with minutest details of the events that really marked the war on terror history of Pakistan. A must read for those who love to read on subject Pak US bilateral and diplomatic relations over War on Terrro.

[Fawad Bukhari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent analysis and indepth knowledge of author has done justice with one the most complex relationship of US-Pak and post 9/11 Afghan War.

[Dr Nouman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for those interested in Pakistan US relationship and post 9/11 war on terror

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the stories behind the stories we got through world-wide media. The author had remarkable access to all the actors and pieced together a picture far more complicated that we could ever have known.