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Pakistán ante el abismo: El futuro de EE.UU., Pakistán y Afganistán
An urgent, on-the-ground report from Pakistan--from the bestselling author of "Descent""Into Chaos" and "Taliban" Ahmed Rashid, one of the world's leading experts on the social and political situations in Pakistan and Afghanistan, offers a highly anticipated update on the possibilities--and hazards--facing the United States after the death of Osama bin Laden and as Operation Enduring Freedom winds down. With the characteristic professionalism that has made him the preeminent independent journalist in Pakistan for three decades, Rashid asks the important questions and delivers informed insights about the future of U.S. relations with the troubled region. His most urgent book to date, "Pakistan on the Brink" is the third volume in a comprehensive series that is a call to action to our nation's leaders and an exposition of this conflict's impact on the security of the world.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2012
56 people are currently reading
1559 people want to read
About the author
Ahmed Rashid
35 books293 followersSon of Ahmed (an engineer) and Piari (a homemaker) Rashid; married Angeles Espino Perez- Hurtado, 1982; children: Raphael, Sara Bano. Education: Attended Government College, Lahore, Pakistan, 1966- 68, and Cambridge University, 1968-70; earned B.A. and M.A. Religion: Muslim. Addresses: Homeoffice: Lahore Cant., Pakistan. E-mail: review@brain.net.pk.
Career: Journalist and broadcaster. Correspondent for Daily Telegraph, London, England, and formerly for Far Eastern Economic Review, Hong Kong; broadcaster for international radio and television networks such as British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network. Member, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
Ahmed Rashid is a Pakistani journalist and best-selling author. Rashid attended Malvern College, England, Government College Lahore, and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. He serves as the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia correspondent for the Far Eastern Economic Review and the Daily Telegraph. He also writes for the Wall Street Journal, The Nation, and academic journals. He appears regularly on international TV and radio networks such as CNN and BBC World.
Rashid's 2000 book, Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia, was a New York Times bestseller for five weeks, translated into 22 languages, and has sold 1.5 million copies since the September 11, 2001 attacks.[1] The book was used extensively by American analysts in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
His latest book, "Descent into Chaos: The United States and the Failure of Nation Building in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia"[1], is a scathing critique of both America and Europe's failure to invest in rebuilding Afghanistan and Pakistan's role in allowing Taliban and Al-Qaeda elements to regroup in Pakistan.
His commentary also appears in the Washington Post's PostGlobal segment.
Rashid lives in Lahore, Pakistan with his wife and two children.
Career: Journalist and broadcaster. Correspondent for Daily Telegraph, London, England, and formerly for Far Eastern Economic Review, Hong Kong; broadcaster for international radio and television networks such as British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network. Member, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
Ahmed Rashid is a Pakistani journalist and best-selling author. Rashid attended Malvern College, England, Government College Lahore, and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. He serves as the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia correspondent for the Far Eastern Economic Review and the Daily Telegraph. He also writes for the Wall Street Journal, The Nation, and academic journals. He appears regularly on international TV and radio networks such as CNN and BBC World.
Rashid's 2000 book, Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia, was a New York Times bestseller for five weeks, translated into 22 languages, and has sold 1.5 million copies since the September 11, 2001 attacks.[1] The book was used extensively by American analysts in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
His latest book, "Descent into Chaos: The United States and the Failure of Nation Building in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia"[1], is a scathing critique of both America and Europe's failure to invest in rebuilding Afghanistan and Pakistan's role in allowing Taliban and Al-Qaeda elements to regroup in Pakistan.
His commentary also appears in the Washington Post's PostGlobal segment.
Rashid lives in Lahore, Pakistan with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
February 23, 2013
A brief but informative read on the most glaring example of "failed states" in the history of the world.Ahmed Rashid is probably one of the most resourceful and arguably the most knowledgeable Pakistani journalists on Afghan affairs. He has access to some key informants in both the US and Afghanistan which enable him to give inside account of various behind the science events. Pakistan on the Brink is his third publication in a row on the Afghan conflict and its various dynamics including repercussions for Pakistan.For anyone who has studied or worked alongside Pakistanis in the West, it is always a bit a puzzle to see how such a resourceful and savvy population can come out of a country that always seems on the brink of some catastrophe. The book does not offer anything new but captures the events quite well giving in-depth analysis and discussing possible scenarios (most of them quite bleak) for the region and for Pakistan.
Pakistan, in attempting to secure a strategic depth against India (not really necessary given that both have nuclear bombs) has destabilized Afghanistan by supporting one ethnic group (Pashtuns) and antagonizing other ethnic groups (Tajiks/Uzbeks). Pakistan is dreaming of an Afghan state that is neither too weak (to be dominated by inimical interests) nor too strong (to threaten Pakistan's borders and claim sovereignty over Pashtuns in Pakistan). Pakistan is dreaming of an Afghan state where Pashtuns dominate. Pakistan is dreaming of an Afghan state where Iran will not have influence over the Shias (Iran has invested significantly into nation building in Afghanistan) and India over Tajiks/Uzbeks (India has invested significantly into nation building; 50% of goods leaving for India now use roads to Iran and bypass Karachi). Pakistan is an impediment to Afghan stability; and therefore to Pakistan's stability.
Rashid describes the Hobbesian state of Pakistan and the general region, the roots of its chronic instability, and the Pakistani government's foolish and suicidal policies. As Rashid shows, Pakistan has a powerful military, nuclear weapons, geostrategic ambitions, and a desire for domestic stability and regional dominance, but all of this is worthless if Pakistan has a weak economy, an illiterate population, a jobless youth, a military that supports the Taliban in Afghanistan while constantly fighting it in Pakistan, and a corrupt, double-dealing government that deceives both its citizens and itself. It looks like Pakistan and the surrounding region is its own worst enemy. All of this is a recipe for disaster, but obviously these are all problems to be managed instead of solved. There is no easy solution, if there is one at all.
Rashid also details the rise of extremism and instability in the region, the sources and consequences of which are all but impossible to control.
Rashid blames the Bush administration for not pressuring Pakistan to address domestic extremism, but given similar efforts by others, I can't blame Bush for Pakistan's failure.
In all, a must-read for anyone attempting to figure out the impossible mess the region has gotten itself into, and possible ways for them to extricate themselves from it...although not completely, of course.
Pakistan, in attempting to secure a strategic depth against India (not really necessary given that both have nuclear bombs) has destabilized Afghanistan by supporting one ethnic group (Pashtuns) and antagonizing other ethnic groups (Tajiks/Uzbeks). Pakistan is dreaming of an Afghan state that is neither too weak (to be dominated by inimical interests) nor too strong (to threaten Pakistan's borders and claim sovereignty over Pashtuns in Pakistan). Pakistan is dreaming of an Afghan state where Pashtuns dominate. Pakistan is dreaming of an Afghan state where Iran will not have influence over the Shias (Iran has invested significantly into nation building in Afghanistan) and India over Tajiks/Uzbeks (India has invested significantly into nation building; 50% of goods leaving for India now use roads to Iran and bypass Karachi). Pakistan is an impediment to Afghan stability; and therefore to Pakistan's stability.
Rashid describes the Hobbesian state of Pakistan and the general region, the roots of its chronic instability, and the Pakistani government's foolish and suicidal policies. As Rashid shows, Pakistan has a powerful military, nuclear weapons, geostrategic ambitions, and a desire for domestic stability and regional dominance, but all of this is worthless if Pakistan has a weak economy, an illiterate population, a jobless youth, a military that supports the Taliban in Afghanistan while constantly fighting it in Pakistan, and a corrupt, double-dealing government that deceives both its citizens and itself. It looks like Pakistan and the surrounding region is its own worst enemy. All of this is a recipe for disaster, but obviously these are all problems to be managed instead of solved. There is no easy solution, if there is one at all.
Rashid also details the rise of extremism and instability in the region, the sources and consequences of which are all but impossible to control.
Rashid blames the Bush administration for not pressuring Pakistan to address domestic extremism, but given similar efforts by others, I can't blame Bush for Pakistan's failure.
In all, a must-read for anyone attempting to figure out the impossible mess the region has gotten itself into, and possible ways for them to extricate themselves from it...although not completely, of course.
January 14, 2023
Ahmed Rashid's explosive account of the Af-Pak region after 9/11 covers a dangerous turn of events whose repercussions are being felt to date. Read the complete review here https://wp.me/p6rxcY-hW
June 20, 2012
If you wish you could understand what the heck is going on in the "Af-Pak" region of the world, look no further than this handy book of essays by one of the most knowledgeable experts around. Ahmed Rashid is a Pakistani journalist with deep understanding of Pakistani and Afghan history - he literally wrote the book on the (pre-2001) Taliban - and has been studying the region for decades. He's also been cultivating an excellent set of relationships with top members of the US, Afghan, and Pakistani governments (as well as with various insurgent groups), which makes it possible for him to offer not just analysis and context but actual arguments, ideas, and perspectives of some of the most important policy makers in the world today. Most remarkably, Rashid manages to bring the reader into the immensely complicated landscapes of Afghanistan and Pakistan without talking down or confusing his audience - no small feat! Finally, the fact that this work is organized into discrete and easy to read essays makes it a cinch to dive into for short periods of time. Highly recommended!
March 23, 2015
Pakistan may be the “most failed” in the list of failed nations. It certainly is the most dangerous to the peace and security of South Asia and much of the rest of the world. Pakistan has a large, well equipped and trained military over which civilian government has little control or even influence. The army has deposed governments in the past but seems now to be content with wielding whatever power is available to the central authorities while leaving hopelessly corrupt and inept civilian elites to deal with messy problems like making excuses to the United States (a chief source of funding) for not cracking down on the Taliban while wringing their hands over the attempted murder of Malala Yousafzai, the teenage girl that the Taliban tried to assassinate, or begging aid from no longer receptive donor countries for major disasters like the 2010 floods, donors who know that the majority of the aid granted will be stolen.
A major reason for Pakistan’s steadily worsening relations with neighboring countries and with the Muslim world generally is the continued use of proxy jihadist forces in addition to the Taliban like Lashkar-e-Taiba a group founded by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the spy service for the military. Lashkar-e-Taiba was initially deployed against the Indian army in Kashmir but soon spun out of the control of their masters, no longer willing to do the state’s bidding and turning against the insufficiently Islamist military. The Pakistani Taliban and other jihadist groups created with the connivance of the military are now (according to Rashid and it is impossible to disagree with him) the real existential threat to Pakistan, even while they still consider India to be their most dangerous enemy. And, of course, a final state collapse of Pakistan would mean a free-for-all over control of its nuclear weapons, an issue never far from the minds of Western, Chinese and Indian policymakers.
Despite being an agricultural country there have been no breakthroughs in the technology of farming or any new crops developed in Pakistan—its economy continues to export its cotton and rice and import manufactured goods. There has been no investment in upgrading the skills of its workforce or real improvements in infrastructure (electric power is cut for up to ten hours per day—every day—in the cities and more in rural areas) to attract industry, due to corruption and lack of interest of civil authorities.
Much of what Rashid writes about Afghanistan (about half the book) would be known to anyone who has paid attention to the news from there over the past few years. It is a compendium of grim statistics—body counts, suicide bombings, drone strikes, kidnappings—without much analysis; the same may be true concerning the Pakistan chapters, of course, but since I know so little about it others would have to answer that question. “Pakistan on the Brink” does have a thrown together against a deadline feel to it. The third book of a trilogy that began with the excellent “Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia” and continued with the well received “Descent into Chaos”. In a generous author's note, Rashid thanks his "publisher and editor Wendy Wolf of Viking Penguin for forcing this book out of a very reluctant author who wondered if anyone really would want to read another book of mine." He needn’t have worried, although it is not on the same level as the first two books in the trilogy.
A major reason for Pakistan’s steadily worsening relations with neighboring countries and with the Muslim world generally is the continued use of proxy jihadist forces in addition to the Taliban like Lashkar-e-Taiba a group founded by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the spy service for the military. Lashkar-e-Taiba was initially deployed against the Indian army in Kashmir but soon spun out of the control of their masters, no longer willing to do the state’s bidding and turning against the insufficiently Islamist military. The Pakistani Taliban and other jihadist groups created with the connivance of the military are now (according to Rashid and it is impossible to disagree with him) the real existential threat to Pakistan, even while they still consider India to be their most dangerous enemy. And, of course, a final state collapse of Pakistan would mean a free-for-all over control of its nuclear weapons, an issue never far from the minds of Western, Chinese and Indian policymakers.
Despite being an agricultural country there have been no breakthroughs in the technology of farming or any new crops developed in Pakistan—its economy continues to export its cotton and rice and import manufactured goods. There has been no investment in upgrading the skills of its workforce or real improvements in infrastructure (electric power is cut for up to ten hours per day—every day—in the cities and more in rural areas) to attract industry, due to corruption and lack of interest of civil authorities.
Much of what Rashid writes about Afghanistan (about half the book) would be known to anyone who has paid attention to the news from there over the past few years. It is a compendium of grim statistics—body counts, suicide bombings, drone strikes, kidnappings—without much analysis; the same may be true concerning the Pakistan chapters, of course, but since I know so little about it others would have to answer that question. “Pakistan on the Brink” does have a thrown together against a deadline feel to it. The third book of a trilogy that began with the excellent “Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia” and continued with the well received “Descent into Chaos”. In a generous author's note, Rashid thanks his "publisher and editor Wendy Wolf of Viking Penguin for forcing this book out of a very reluctant author who wondered if anyone really would want to read another book of mine." He needn’t have worried, although it is not on the same level as the first two books in the trilogy.
April 2, 2025
Solid, brief book, but it's not much of an academic read, so people can read it quite easily.
This book was published in 2013, so I assumed the writing and research were done around 2010-2012. As we flash forward to 2025, most of the things Ahmed Rashid is talking about in Afghanistan and Pakistan are relevant and not so relevant today. Afghanistan is controlled by the Taliban again, and with the current United States administration having a more "America First Policy," I doubt that Pakistan will be talked about compared to the 2000s and 2010s (War on Terror).
I took away other things besides the facts, such as..... "what does a good relationship between the United States and X Nation look like ?"
Area experts and insiders back then predicted the fall of the coalition-backed Afghan government once the United States withdrew, so "what is the point of forever wars ?"
Despite being a big nation, we still live in a global community, and our actions play a role that might change in the future.
This book was published in 2013, so I assumed the writing and research were done around 2010-2012. As we flash forward to 2025, most of the things Ahmed Rashid is talking about in Afghanistan and Pakistan are relevant and not so relevant today. Afghanistan is controlled by the Taliban again, and with the current United States administration having a more "America First Policy," I doubt that Pakistan will be talked about compared to the 2000s and 2010s (War on Terror).
I took away other things besides the facts, such as..... "what does a good relationship between the United States and X Nation look like ?"
Area experts and insiders back then predicted the fall of the coalition-backed Afghan government once the United States withdrew, so "what is the point of forever wars ?"
Despite being a big nation, we still live in a global community, and our actions play a role that might change in the future.
June 26, 2013
Back in 2008 I read Mr. Rashid's last book,
Descent into Chaos: The US & the Disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan & Central Asia, and was blown away by how badly the war in Afghanistan was being managed. It made me support Pres. Obama's push to refocus on Afghanistan during his first election, but after reading this damning follow-up, I'm not so sure that my trust was well placed. As Mr. Rashid reports, things have gone from bad to worse in Central Asia, partly because of Pres. Obama's failure to integrate a political solution into the troop surge with everyone in the military and goreign service on board, partly because of Pres. Hamid Karzai's failure to curb corruption and incompetence in his own government, and partly because of the basketcase Pakistan has become due to it's contradictory foreign policy, which is entirely run by a India-phobic military and intelligence service, and the utter corruption and incompetence of it's civilian government. The results, according to Mr. Rashid, have been a worsening interior security picture for both Pakistan and Afghanistan and a political & military quagmire for the United States. Mr. Rashid does point out some hopeful signs, mainly talks between the U.S. and Afghanistan aided by Germany that, if properly managed, could bring about a political solution to the insurgency, and the credible counterinsurgency campaign the Pakistani Army waged in the Swat valley a few years ago. But, overall, Mr. Rashid paints a bleak picture. There are a few problems with this book. First, it's over a year old, so it can't account for developments in the region in the past year, like the opening of a Taliban political office in Qatar, so you will have to get caught up on international news to find out if any of Mr. Rashid's wise advice has been followed. The other problem with this book is that it can't be completely seperated from his previous book, Descent into Chaos: The US & the Disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan & Central Asia, as he refers back to it several times. For you to have a full knowledge of the situation in Central Asia from Mr. Rashid's perspective, you will need to read that book before this one. Other than that, this is an invaluable book to read and one I hope that is in the hands of every U.S. official will read before combat operations end in 2014.
Descent into Chaos: The US & the Disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan & Central Asia, and was blown away by how badly the war in Afghanistan was being managed. It made me support Pres. Obama's push to refocus on Afghanistan during his first election, but after reading this damning follow-up, I'm not so sure that my trust was well placed. As Mr. Rashid reports, things have gone from bad to worse in Central Asia, partly because of Pres. Obama's failure to integrate a political solution into the troop surge with everyone in the military and goreign service on board, partly because of Pres. Hamid Karzai's failure to curb corruption and incompetence in his own government, and partly because of the basketcase Pakistan has become due to it's contradictory foreign policy, which is entirely run by a India-phobic military and intelligence service, and the utter corruption and incompetence of it's civilian government. The results, according to Mr. Rashid, have been a worsening interior security picture for both Pakistan and Afghanistan and a political & military quagmire for the United States. Mr. Rashid does point out some hopeful signs, mainly talks between the U.S. and Afghanistan aided by Germany that, if properly managed, could bring about a political solution to the insurgency, and the credible counterinsurgency campaign the Pakistani Army waged in the Swat valley a few years ago. But, overall, Mr. Rashid paints a bleak picture. There are a few problems with this book. First, it's over a year old, so it can't account for developments in the region in the past year, like the opening of a Taliban political office in Qatar, so you will have to get caught up on international news to find out if any of Mr. Rashid's wise advice has been followed. The other problem with this book is that it can't be completely seperated from his previous book, Descent into Chaos: The US & the Disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan & Central Asia, as he refers back to it several times. For you to have a full knowledge of the situation in Central Asia from Mr. Rashid's perspective, you will need to read that book before this one. Other than that, this is an invaluable book to read and one I hope that is in the hands of every U.S. official will read before combat operations end in 2014.
May 25, 2012
I really appreciated his two other books, Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia and Descent into Chaos: The United States & the Failure of Nation Building in Pakistan, Afghanistan & Central Asia, for their deep knowledge of the issues at stake in Afghanistan and Central Asia. I was looking forward to this update on things are evolving.
Things are not going well in AfPak. Since American troops will leave Afghanistan by 2014, everybody is pretty much waiting for them to have left before they make their move. The Afghan government is feeling isolated and abandoned. Pakistan wants to play a major role in shaping the future of Afghanistan, which it sees as a strategic component of its strategy regarding India, but it also has to deal with its home brand of islamist fundamentalists. All the other neighbors are taking a wait-and-see attitude. America is doing its best to make a dignified exit.
The last pages of the book mention the accidental killing of 26 Pakistani soldiers in a NATO air strike on 2011-11-26. This prompted Pakistan to close to supply routes into Afghanistan. On 2012-05-21, the news mentioned a NATO summit where they were talking about these closed supply routes. Six months after the incident, the issue is still not resolved.
On 2012-05-23, Pakistan convicted the doctor who helped the CIA track down Osama bin Laden. Just like Ahmed Rashid mentions in the book, Pakistani officials are more concerned with the breach of their sovereignty by the US raid to kill bin Laden than with the fact he was being given shelter in Pakistan. On 2012-05-24, the US suspended $33 million in aid to Pakistan in retaliation.
I'm afraid Rashid's next book on the region, in a few years, after the American withdrawal, will be quite depressing.
More to come.
Things are not going well in AfPak. Since American troops will leave Afghanistan by 2014, everybody is pretty much waiting for them to have left before they make their move. The Afghan government is feeling isolated and abandoned. Pakistan wants to play a major role in shaping the future of Afghanistan, which it sees as a strategic component of its strategy regarding India, but it also has to deal with its home brand of islamist fundamentalists. All the other neighbors are taking a wait-and-see attitude. America is doing its best to make a dignified exit.
The last pages of the book mention the accidental killing of 26 Pakistani soldiers in a NATO air strike on 2011-11-26. This prompted Pakistan to close to supply routes into Afghanistan. On 2012-05-21, the news mentioned a NATO summit where they were talking about these closed supply routes. Six months after the incident, the issue is still not resolved.
On 2012-05-23, Pakistan convicted the doctor who helped the CIA track down Osama bin Laden. Just like Ahmed Rashid mentions in the book, Pakistani officials are more concerned with the breach of their sovereignty by the US raid to kill bin Laden than with the fact he was being given shelter in Pakistan. On 2012-05-24, the US suspended $33 million in aid to Pakistan in retaliation.
I'm afraid Rashid's next book on the region, in a few years, after the American withdrawal, will be quite depressing.
More to come.
January 4, 2016
Ahmed Rashid is one of the few Pakistani Authors / Journalists who writes in an unbiased fashion about Pakistan. This book is the last of his Trilogy on Pakistan and its sorry state. The first two ‘Taliban’ and ‘Pakistan – Descent into Chaos’ were highly rated (I didn’t read them) and reviewed very favorably by the Western Press.
This book begins post the American intrusion into Abbottabad and the assassination of Osama Bin Laden. Covers the red faced Pakistan establishment which denied the existence of Osama all thru the ten years after 9/11. This is also my first book on Pakistan - post the Bin Laden assassination.
It covers all the usual issues – the relationship of Pakistan with the US (possibly the strangest bedfellows in history), the issues and turmoil in Afghanistan and the quest for influence (and the worries of India’s growing clout there due to the help in reconstruction), the damages done to both the Pakistan and Afghanistan economies, the continued lawlessness in the Pashtun areas and FATA and where the writ of the government doesn’t run and continues to be managed by war-lords. Also enough chapters devoted to Al Qaida, the Good Taliban and the Bad Taliban and the terrible Taliban – these nuanced distinctions are only in the minds of the case officers of CIA and their turf-worrying bosses in Langley. Thought all Taliban was terrible.
Overall – presents a balanced picture of a failed nation and its continued downward spiral. The future seems bleak and possibly in our life-time – the failed nation might disintegrate into multiple nations and superpowers and the not so super powers once again jockeying for influence thru aid and reconstruction. Something tells me that it could be within the next decade itself.
On another level, happy Jinnah took all this mess along with him in his quest for the Islamic land. We have enough issues of our own with Naxalites, Kashmir and insurgency in the North East – Happy we do not have all the troubles of Pakistan as our own (if it was a part of India). Thank You Mr. Jinnah. 120 crore Indians are grateful to you.
This book begins post the American intrusion into Abbottabad and the assassination of Osama Bin Laden. Covers the red faced Pakistan establishment which denied the existence of Osama all thru the ten years after 9/11. This is also my first book on Pakistan - post the Bin Laden assassination.
It covers all the usual issues – the relationship of Pakistan with the US (possibly the strangest bedfellows in history), the issues and turmoil in Afghanistan and the quest for influence (and the worries of India’s growing clout there due to the help in reconstruction), the damages done to both the Pakistan and Afghanistan economies, the continued lawlessness in the Pashtun areas and FATA and where the writ of the government doesn’t run and continues to be managed by war-lords. Also enough chapters devoted to Al Qaida, the Good Taliban and the Bad Taliban and the terrible Taliban – these nuanced distinctions are only in the minds of the case officers of CIA and their turf-worrying bosses in Langley. Thought all Taliban was terrible.
Overall – presents a balanced picture of a failed nation and its continued downward spiral. The future seems bleak and possibly in our life-time – the failed nation might disintegrate into multiple nations and superpowers and the not so super powers once again jockeying for influence thru aid and reconstruction. Something tells me that it could be within the next decade itself.
On another level, happy Jinnah took all this mess along with him in his quest for the Islamic land. We have enough issues of our own with Naxalites, Kashmir and insurgency in the North East – Happy we do not have all the troubles of Pakistan as our own (if it was a part of India). Thank You Mr. Jinnah. 120 crore Indians are grateful to you.
April 11, 2016
If you want to know what had gone on in the Af-Pak region during the US mission to kill Osama Bin Laden, the role of the Pakistani military and ISI over the Taliban and Afghanistan, and the breakdown of relations between the Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the Obama administration, then this book is worth a read.
Ahmed Rashid uses his variety of contacts and his understanding of the region to indulge into the whole Afghan, Pakistani, US and various groups such as the Taliban, Haqqani Network and other Jihadi entities. The book is basically an array of extended essays looking at subjects such as the US -Pakistan relationship, Afghan-US relationship, the role of the Pakistani military within Pakistan and Afghanistan, the challenges of Afghanistan and also what the future should be.
I personally found is easy to understand through Rashid's narrative and came to the conclusion that no one side has any idea of what to do to end the stalemate in the region and that the Pakistani military can help change everything but due to insecurity, paranoia and fear refuse to do so.
One criticism of the book is that, reading it in 2016, it seems somewhat dated, however I knew that, as I intended to understand the region and Rashid's writings achieved that for me.
Ahmed Rashid uses his variety of contacts and his understanding of the region to indulge into the whole Afghan, Pakistani, US and various groups such as the Taliban, Haqqani Network and other Jihadi entities. The book is basically an array of extended essays looking at subjects such as the US -Pakistan relationship, Afghan-US relationship, the role of the Pakistani military within Pakistan and Afghanistan, the challenges of Afghanistan and also what the future should be.
I personally found is easy to understand through Rashid's narrative and came to the conclusion that no one side has any idea of what to do to end the stalemate in the region and that the Pakistani military can help change everything but due to insecurity, paranoia and fear refuse to do so.
One criticism of the book is that, reading it in 2016, it seems somewhat dated, however I knew that, as I intended to understand the region and Rashid's writings achieved that for me.
February 28, 2019
Arghhhh! This being the first book I ever read on Pakistan or Afghanistan has been sobering. Heard a couple of years back that Pakistan was one of the most dangerous places on earth not that I have intentions of visiting. But this third book by AR (haven't read the previous 2 and now I so intend to do so) places the US, Pakistan, Afghanistan as the prime movers of indecisiveness. This wouldn't be so harrowing but because the casualties are civilians and lives. Pakistan's elect are hopeless on standing their ground. The military is given free rein to propagandize, to radicalise and victimise their intentions to the Pakistanis. USA is being driven by the religious zealots into stashing money and weapons to Pakistan whilst not asserting their demands for openings and stabilising the economy. Its like a twilight zone of continental proportions! There is no way out if everyone is confused and driven by their fears and not truly being sacrificed or held to criminal justice for their mistakes and misdirections. Gosh!
April 4, 2012
Fascinating, but mostly terrifying. If you prefer comfortable ignorance, don't read this. The author is an expert on Pakistan - this at least his third major book on the subject. I read Descent in to Chaos (well, parts of it - sorry, Professor) and enjoyed (the parts I read) just as much as this one. Rashid has lived in Pakistan and is familiar with a lot of the players personally - he has had dinner with both Obama and Karzai, for example. His books offer a lot more insight than is typical. If you're looking for an in depth examination of the issues of Afghanistan and Pakistan and their relations with America, this is the book.
May 16, 2022
The book “Pakistan on the Brink” is the third of its kind in part of the trilogy starting by “Taliban”, a best seller following the events of 9/11 and giving an insight to others with the ground realities, which was followed by the book “Descent into Chaos”, articulating the episodes of the most volatile and dangerous region around the globe at the time, eventually leading us to this book in this comprehensive series. Author of this book, Ahmed Rashid is one of the most resourceful, unbiased and undoubtedly one of the most knowledgeable Pakistani journalists on the Pak Afghan affairs.
As a leading expert on socioeconomic and political situation of Afghanistan and Pakistan, and as a journalist who has keenly witnessed all the developments in the region for over three decades, he gives a microscopic view of the severe socio-economic and political crisis on both sides of the Durand Line (Pak Afghan border) and proposes possible policies to be employed to deescalate the heated environment among all major stakeholders involved, after he has analyzed the ground state thoroughly. Primarily, the book revolves around 2006-2011 timeframe with frequent references from the past. It is recommended but not essential to go through the first two volumes of this comprehensive series as it’ll allow readers to grasp an in depth understanding of the grave situation. Moreover, the book is divided into nine chapters, each covering an important aspect and developing logically towards a rational conclusion.
Although, the name “Pakistan on the Brink” suggests focus on Pakistan, but an in-depth outline and analysis of the situation of both Afghanistan and Pakistan has been provided since it’s impractical to evaluate ongoing events and come up for their solutions in Pakistan without relating to Afghanistan as this whole muddle and chaos is interrelated. The book depicts the gruesome state of the civilian government of Pakistan which is highly corrupt and incompetent. They’re unable to carry out quintessential reforms and unable to enact proper taxation of elites. Furthermore, they’re impotent of taking important decisions on their own and bow down to any order or instruction passed from the establishment or military. It can also be said that Pakistan military implemented brinkmanship too casually for a serious issue. Civil institutions are very weak to stand on their own and media is constantly fed up with propagandas and conspiracies from military and ISI against America. On the ground level, the civilians suffer the most due to the confusion and state’s inability to curtail violence and terrorists.
Author has also highlighted the meltdown of Pak-USA relations and the deep-rooted reasons behind it. Obsession of Pakistan’s military leaders with India has led them to harbor specific groups of Taliban so that Indian influence on Afghan soil could be contained which in turn afflicts American interests leading to resentment towards Pakistan. ISI’s support for Taliban has only assisted in fueling tensions among both stakeholders. Eventually, the bilateral relations hit rock bottom when US SEALs killed Osama bin Laden on night of 1st May 2011 in Abbottabad (an important military center) -which also led to formation of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan having a much more hostile and radical approach towards Pakistan. Pakistan blamed USA for violating their integrity while US accusation of providing safe heavens to terrorists also came true.
Not only has the Pakistani issues been underscored but attention has also been drawn towards the American blunders in handling the sensitive situation. He has pointed out the incompetence of the Bush administration that prolonged to the Obama government in dealing with Afghan situation. Light has also been shed on the discrepancy in decision making of American government and military. Military has been adamant in pouring sums of money and increasing number of troops in the region seeking a gun solution while little has been done for nation building and no proper socio-economic development has taken place in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Role of Germany in initiating peace talks and bringing parties to a talking table has also been mentioned with detail.
Towards the end, it has been emphasized that there can not be a military solution of this complex situation. All stakeholders need to come together and design a way forward which is acceptable to all and is sustainable in the long run. Differences of ethnicity, sects, cultures and traditions need to be put behind for discussions and civil institutions, government and democracy needs to be strengthened with roles of military defined. Though, from the conclusion of the book with the earlier mentioned events, it looks rather difficult to implement such a solution due to the complexities involved.
To suffice, this book with the other two, as a trilogy cover a crucial part of the recent history and is a must read especially for the people of this region to get an insight of what’s happening around them and how are they being exploited or manipulated by different organizations or parties each pursuing their own agendas. To make better policies and decisions for future it is vital to be equipped with lessons of the past, thus this book serves the purpose of conveying the information and knowledge about a sensitive issue which has impact on the global scale.
As a leading expert on socioeconomic and political situation of Afghanistan and Pakistan, and as a journalist who has keenly witnessed all the developments in the region for over three decades, he gives a microscopic view of the severe socio-economic and political crisis on both sides of the Durand Line (Pak Afghan border) and proposes possible policies to be employed to deescalate the heated environment among all major stakeholders involved, after he has analyzed the ground state thoroughly. Primarily, the book revolves around 2006-2011 timeframe with frequent references from the past. It is recommended but not essential to go through the first two volumes of this comprehensive series as it’ll allow readers to grasp an in depth understanding of the grave situation. Moreover, the book is divided into nine chapters, each covering an important aspect and developing logically towards a rational conclusion.
Although, the name “Pakistan on the Brink” suggests focus on Pakistan, but an in-depth outline and analysis of the situation of both Afghanistan and Pakistan has been provided since it’s impractical to evaluate ongoing events and come up for their solutions in Pakistan without relating to Afghanistan as this whole muddle and chaos is interrelated. The book depicts the gruesome state of the civilian government of Pakistan which is highly corrupt and incompetent. They’re unable to carry out quintessential reforms and unable to enact proper taxation of elites. Furthermore, they’re impotent of taking important decisions on their own and bow down to any order or instruction passed from the establishment or military. It can also be said that Pakistan military implemented brinkmanship too casually for a serious issue. Civil institutions are very weak to stand on their own and media is constantly fed up with propagandas and conspiracies from military and ISI against America. On the ground level, the civilians suffer the most due to the confusion and state’s inability to curtail violence and terrorists.
Author has also highlighted the meltdown of Pak-USA relations and the deep-rooted reasons behind it. Obsession of Pakistan’s military leaders with India has led them to harbor specific groups of Taliban so that Indian influence on Afghan soil could be contained which in turn afflicts American interests leading to resentment towards Pakistan. ISI’s support for Taliban has only assisted in fueling tensions among both stakeholders. Eventually, the bilateral relations hit rock bottom when US SEALs killed Osama bin Laden on night of 1st May 2011 in Abbottabad (an important military center) -which also led to formation of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan having a much more hostile and radical approach towards Pakistan. Pakistan blamed USA for violating their integrity while US accusation of providing safe heavens to terrorists also came true.
Not only has the Pakistani issues been underscored but attention has also been drawn towards the American blunders in handling the sensitive situation. He has pointed out the incompetence of the Bush administration that prolonged to the Obama government in dealing with Afghan situation. Light has also been shed on the discrepancy in decision making of American government and military. Military has been adamant in pouring sums of money and increasing number of troops in the region seeking a gun solution while little has been done for nation building and no proper socio-economic development has taken place in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Role of Germany in initiating peace talks and bringing parties to a talking table has also been mentioned with detail.
Towards the end, it has been emphasized that there can not be a military solution of this complex situation. All stakeholders need to come together and design a way forward which is acceptable to all and is sustainable in the long run. Differences of ethnicity, sects, cultures and traditions need to be put behind for discussions and civil institutions, government and democracy needs to be strengthened with roles of military defined. Though, from the conclusion of the book with the earlier mentioned events, it looks rather difficult to implement such a solution due to the complexities involved.
To suffice, this book with the other two, as a trilogy cover a crucial part of the recent history and is a must read especially for the people of this region to get an insight of what’s happening around them and how are they being exploited or manipulated by different organizations or parties each pursuing their own agendas. To make better policies and decisions for future it is vital to be equipped with lessons of the past, thus this book serves the purpose of conveying the information and knowledge about a sensitive issue which has impact on the global scale.
August 13, 2012
A fantastic book and a must read for all people who would like to get a clear overview of the imbroglio we call AfPak. This book, very different to "The descent into chaos", doesn't really delve into the nitty gritty of policy making, but is primarily aimed at providing an insightful overview to the cogniscenti. It makes for easy reading.
April 2, 2016
A brilliant overview of what has gone wrong and what must be done to solve the tricky AfPak conundrum. The book deserves a new edition with updated details considering Uncle Sam's withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014 and a new civilian government at the helm in Pakistan since 2013.
September 5, 2016
An excellent read for people interested in the "Af-Pak" stakeholders ,their policies and the consequences of the policies.
December 29, 2024
Reading this book in 2024 with the benefit of hindsight, I am amazed by Rashid’s clairvoyance. He possesses an intricate understanding of the subtle loyalties that govern geopolitics of southern Asia and the ability to accurately analyze a d predict future outcomes.
He rightly predicted that Al Qaeda has always and will continue to adapt to setbacks and unforeseen circumstances. He explains why a military solution is not feasible in Afghanistan without nation building and how US withdrawal will most likely lead to a Taliban government. Although my guess is even Rashid could not have predicted how quickly the Taliban would regain power. He also argued that the planned 2014 withdrawal is not feasible and as predicted the withdrawal did not come until Biden’s presidency almost a decade later.
The author is not shy of criticizing his own Pakistani government, military and ISI, the Obama and Bush White Houses, and Karzai’s government in Afghanistan. Although his views favor the West in terms of democracy, nation building, and individual freedoms - I would not call him pro-American. He explains how Pakistani military’s obsession with India is naive at best and more realistically one of the main reasons of Pakistan’s current economic, political and civic unrest.
The book is easy to read and captures the geopolitics of the region well. Although some familiarity with the region’s history is beneficial as the book a summary of events rather than a deep dive.
He rightly predicted that Al Qaeda has always and will continue to adapt to setbacks and unforeseen circumstances. He explains why a military solution is not feasible in Afghanistan without nation building and how US withdrawal will most likely lead to a Taliban government. Although my guess is even Rashid could not have predicted how quickly the Taliban would regain power. He also argued that the planned 2014 withdrawal is not feasible and as predicted the withdrawal did not come until Biden’s presidency almost a decade later.
The author is not shy of criticizing his own Pakistani government, military and ISI, the Obama and Bush White Houses, and Karzai’s government in Afghanistan. Although his views favor the West in terms of democracy, nation building, and individual freedoms - I would not call him pro-American. He explains how Pakistani military’s obsession with India is naive at best and more realistically one of the main reasons of Pakistan’s current economic, political and civic unrest.
The book is easy to read and captures the geopolitics of the region well. Although some familiarity with the region’s history is beneficial as the book a summary of events rather than a deep dive.
January 28, 2021
The book give insight in the tensions within Pakistan and its neighbors, up until the end of 2011. Most prominently of these neigbours Afghanistan is discussed, but also India, Iran, China, the central Asian countries and even Turkey. And the book details Pakistan's at times malfunctioning power structures, and its complex relations with the US-government, the CIA, the Taliban (different flavors thereof) and Al Qaeda). It is illuminating. Rashid is frank in his descriptions.
The author is a Pakistani journalist has spoken to several of the key players. The book is not value-free, not academic, but I think that the viewpoint it thus gives is masterfully done (one can feel the frustration and the powerlessness at times), and the viewpoint is necessary to better understand some of the problems in the region. A solely Western view of the problems in that region will not do. It will miss some of the Easter eggs Rashid drops in passing. And it will look at the region from an alien Western perspective.
Much has happened since 2011. Rashid's new book sees overdue. I hope we'll see it soon. On the other hand, he's approximately 73 now. Maybe he retired.
The author is a Pakistani journalist has spoken to several of the key players. The book is not value-free, not academic, but I think that the viewpoint it thus gives is masterfully done (one can feel the frustration and the powerlessness at times), and the viewpoint is necessary to better understand some of the problems in the region. A solely Western view of the problems in that region will not do. It will miss some of the Easter eggs Rashid drops in passing. And it will look at the region from an alien Western perspective.
Much has happened since 2011. Rashid's new book sees overdue. I hope we'll see it soon. On the other hand, he's approximately 73 now. Maybe he retired.
December 17, 2018
Was suggested this book as a way to become better acquainted with the issues between the United States, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It certainly did that - as normal the devil is in the details and the lack of knowledge and understanding of virtually every talking head each evening after 6 PM on this issue leaves one to feel a sense of anger or at least pity and shame. My only regret is that the book is a bit dated - it is up thru 2013 and my sense is that the changes that have occurred since then continue to change the landscape of this incredibly challenging area of the world - and as importantly the place the United States occupies in it. Glad I read it - certainly am not an "expert" on the area or the topic - but have a much deeper appreciation of the factions and the delicate issues that are faced. We do need a clearer idea of what our goals are in this area. What is the end game? We have made an incredible number of mistakes... I can only hope we can learn from them and work toward a better future with this troubled place in our world.
March 21, 2022
Although published in 2012, this is an essential read for Pakistan watchers. Rashid is a journalist insider with access to all the big players at the political, military, and diplomatic levels, as well as intelligence agencies - within Pakistan and Afghanistan and internationally. Dinners at the White House and with the German Chancellor are written about. His admiration for the late Richard Holbrooke is clear and he views his early death as a blow to peace and development in the region. One detail he reports is that munitions the Taliban so effectively deployed in IEDs to kill and maim U.S. forces in Afghanistan were produced in Pakistan. I have found Rashid and Joby Warrick of the “Washington Post” to be the best authors about recent history in Pakistan.
January 19, 2019
Treated the complexity of Afghanistan’s future with sufficient breadth ... but just not nearly enough details/evidence to justify the assessments made. Personally, I agree with most all of the conclusions, but wanted to see his framework for analyzing the relationships in the region, but could not.
March 12, 2021
Enjoyed the geopolitics of the book. Spent a little too much time on Afghanistan / US war and not Pakistan. Probably 4 stars at the time but now I'm 2021 only 3 because a lot of things are outdated (no fault of the author)
November 30, 2025
A good interwoven analysis of the foreign policies of Pakistan, Afghanistan and United State and thorough analysis of the domestic conditions of AfPak. Ahmed Rashid maintains his impartiality and shows the War on Terror in Af-Pak through a very objective perspective.
May 24, 2017
This book revolves around Afghanistan, Pakistan and USA. The author did a great job of explaining the paradoxical nature of pak establishment against terrorism.
February 16, 2019
Jeden z najlepszych dziennikarzy w tej części świata. Książka z 2012 r., więc nieco nieaktualna, ale i tak pasjonująca.
June 9, 2019
A great look at the countries surrounding Pakistan and the impacts to the U.S. A quick book , very informative. Different perspective than you usually get.
October 6, 2020
Pro: Highly informative
Con: Not written very engagingly
Con: Not written very engagingly
May 11, 2021
Tulisan mengenai hubung kait antara perisikan pakistan, al-qaeda dan ketua puak
July 24, 2023
“Kabul has become the military’s new Kashmir.”
October 21, 2018
Pakistani journalist Ahmed Rashid's book previous to this one: 'Descent into Chaos: The Failure of U.S. Foreign Policy in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia was absolutely brilliant, and provided meticulous research and cultural, political and economic insight that went above and beyond what anyone could expect of a book covering the U.S.'s activities in the region from 2001-2008.
With this said, Pakistan on the Brink was also a good book, just not as in depth as the first. The first few chapters were pretty much an overview of things covered in the novel before. If you have read the first one before this, you'll find that it repeats a lot of what is already covered in that one. It is not until you get to the middle of the book that he really begins to focus on Pakistan-U.S. relations after 2008. Unfortunately, he does not report a pretty picture. His account of what has been happening in the region since 2008 shows that the country is much more susceptible to extremists than ever before. Even beyond finishing the book, I have been making a point to continue looking up news in Pakistan, hoping things are on the path to getting better.
If you want a quick read that offers solutions of what can be done now in the region, but Pakistan specifically, I would still recommend it. Rashid offers more opinion in this book than in the book prior to this.
While the book was informative, I am giving it 3 stars only because it is truly just an update to Pakistan's situation since what had happened in his first book.
With this said, Pakistan on the Brink was also a good book, just not as in depth as the first. The first few chapters were pretty much an overview of things covered in the novel before. If you have read the first one before this, you'll find that it repeats a lot of what is already covered in that one. It is not until you get to the middle of the book that he really begins to focus on Pakistan-U.S. relations after 2008. Unfortunately, he does not report a pretty picture. His account of what has been happening in the region since 2008 shows that the country is much more susceptible to extremists than ever before. Even beyond finishing the book, I have been making a point to continue looking up news in Pakistan, hoping things are on the path to getting better.
If you want a quick read that offers solutions of what can be done now in the region, but Pakistan specifically, I would still recommend it. Rashid offers more opinion in this book than in the book prior to this.
While the book was informative, I am giving it 3 stars only because it is truly just an update to Pakistan's situation since what had happened in his first book.
April 25, 2012
An excellent book on why Pakistan is about to become a failed state.
The policy of fostering terrorism is destroying the internal fabric of the country. India isn't the greatest threat to Pakistan. The greatest threat to country's existence is Extremism.
The author rightly says that Pakistan should a policy of befriending neighbours. The country is on a verge of economic collapse, but the military or the political elite doesn't consider this a big problem.
Paranoid foreign policy goals of overwhelming the region and over-exaggeration of India threat is a basic fallacy in Pakistan foreign policy.
The book presents an excellent overview of the last ten years United States spent in Afghanistan and talks about why a mutually agreed regional framework is necessary for the Afghan endgame in 2014.
Pakistan has to stop differentiating between good Taliban and bad Taliban. The Swat counter-insurgency operation should be repeated in South Waziristan. The policy of considering Afghanistan should be dissolved.
The author gives an extensive history of Taliban-US talk right from the when they started in Germany till the latest developments which occurred in the autumn on 2011.
The author rightly consider extremism and not India to be the great threat to Pakistan as a state.
The policy of fostering terrorism is destroying the internal fabric of the country. India isn't the greatest threat to Pakistan. The greatest threat to country's existence is Extremism.
The author rightly says that Pakistan should a policy of befriending neighbours. The country is on a verge of economic collapse, but the military or the political elite doesn't consider this a big problem.
Paranoid foreign policy goals of overwhelming the region and over-exaggeration of India threat is a basic fallacy in Pakistan foreign policy.
The book presents an excellent overview of the last ten years United States spent in Afghanistan and talks about why a mutually agreed regional framework is necessary for the Afghan endgame in 2014.
Pakistan has to stop differentiating between good Taliban and bad Taliban. The Swat counter-insurgency operation should be repeated in South Waziristan. The policy of considering Afghanistan should be dissolved.
The author gives an extensive history of Taliban-US talk right from the when they started in Germany till the latest developments which occurred in the autumn on 2011.
The author rightly consider extremism and not India to be the great threat to Pakistan as a state.
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