Pakistan: Between Mosque and Military
Among U.S. allies in the war against terrorism, Pakistan cannot be easily characterized as either friend or foe. Nuclear-armed Pakistan is an important center of radical Islamic ideas and groups. Since 9/11, the selective cooperation of Pakistan’s president, General Pervez Musharraf, in sharing intelligence with the United States and apprehending Al-Qaeda members has led to the assumption that Pakistan might be ready to give up its longstanding ties with radical Islam. But Pakistan’s status as an Islamic ideological state is closely linked with the Pakistani elite’s worldview and the praetorian ambitions of the Pakistani military.
This book analyzes the origins of the relationships between Islamist groups and Pakistan’s military, and explores Pakistan’s quest for identity and security. Tracing how the military has sought U.S. support by making itself useful for concerns-of-the-moment—while continuing to strengthen the mosque-military alliance within Pakistan—the book offers an alternative view of political developments in Pakistan since independence in 1947.
About the Author
Husain Haqqani is a former visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment. He is also a leading journalist and former diplomat, who served as a former adviser to three Pakistani prime ministers. He is a syndicated columnist for Indian Express, Gulf News, and The Nation (Pakistan).
Reviews for this publication
"[Haqqani's] analysis will reward anyone who seeks to understand one of the most perplexing foreign policy challenges facing the U.S. today."—Alyssa Ayres, The Wall Street Journal
"An old joke told by Pakistanis holds that three A's count in their country: Allah, army, and America. In his insightful history of his homeland, Husain Haqqani shows it is no joke."
—Kenneth Cooper, The Boston Globe
"In this cogent, well-informed and extraordinarily informative book, Husain Haqqani describes in detail the unholy alliance between Islamists and military officers that has shaped Pakistan’s past and may well determine its future. An important and disturbing tale, deftly told."
—Andrew J. Bacevich, author of The New American Militarism: How Americans Are Seduced by War
"Husain Haqqani has seen Pakistani politics close up. But his book is much more than a memoir: Haqqani has produced a provocative and controversial history revealing the depth of the links between the army and the Islamic radicals. Required reading."
—Owen Bennett-Jones, BBC, Author of Pakistan: The Eye of the Storm
"We are in Hussain Haqqani's debt for providing the authoritative account of the linkages between Pakistan's powerful Islamists and it's professional army. He conclusively demonstrates that these ties are long-standing, complex, and very troubling. This brilliantly researched and written book should be required reading for anyone who wishes to understand this increasingly important state."
—Stephen P. Cohen, Brookings Institution, Author of The Idea of Pakistan and The
—Tariq Fatemi, Dawn
—Alex Alexiev, Commentary
Customer Reviews
Editorial Reviews
Review
"A well-written and authoritative account from someone who knows Pakistani politics from the inside." --Peter Bergen, CNN Terrorism Analyst and author of HOLY WAR, INC.
"This brilliantly researched and written book should be required reading for anyone who wishes to understand this increasingly important state." --Stephen P. Cohen, Brookings Institution and author of THE IDEA OF PAKISTAN
"Haqqani has produced a provocative and controversial history . . . Required reading." --Owen Bennett-Jones, BBC, and author of PAKISTAN: THE EYE OF THE STORM
"This brilliantly researched and written book should be required reading for anyone who wishes to understand this increasingly important state." --Stephen P. Cohen, Brookings Institution and author of THE IDEA OF PAKISTAN
"Haqqani has produced a provocative and controversial history . . . Required reading." --Owen Bennett-Jones, BBC, and author of PAKISTAN: THE EYE OF THE STORM
