[.ca] Pakistan: In the Shadow of Jihad and Afghanistan (ISBN 0374228949)

up close and personal:
Up close and personal -- terrific intro to the country.

up close and personal:
Up close and personal -- terrific intro to the country.

Wonderful Introduction based on experience:
Much has been written about Pakistan since September 11th. But as Ms. Weaver points out in her wonderful book about the only Islamic Republic in the world, much harm could have been avoided if only we were more aware of this country and its problems BEFORE the terrorist attacks. Weaver's experiences as a journalist in this country form the basis and the strength of this book. Having covered this country for two decades, she provides a depth of experience in tracing the recent social and political ills of this nation. Her basic thesis is simple and seems chillingly accurate given current events. She convincingly states the case that U.S. foreign policy set up the country for much of its woes by at first supporting Islamic violent jihad in Afghanistan in the 80's, then abandoning the country completely after the Soviets withdrew and the Cold War ended. While it would be unfair not to assign some responsibility for their current predicament on the Pakistanis themselves, especially their failure to achieve economic growth and political stability, Ms. Weaver's writings on how the situation in Afghanistan destabilized Pakistan to the point where it is now practically as ungovernable as its neighbor is well taken. Of course, other nations in the region can share the blame for this as well. The chapters on rich Gulf Arab states and the conflict with India in Kashmir are particularly revealing to see how this country has been neglected by other muslim nations and neglected by the United Nations which has been horribly inept in dealing with Kashmir problem. (One can make a convincing argument that Kashmir is the U.N's greatest failure, but that's for another book). Also, the chapter on the Saudi Bird Hunting parties should be read by anyone with an interest in the Middle East. I heartily recommend this book for anyone traveling to Pakistan, and wishes to learn a bit about this country prior to their visit. It's very well written and succinct. Overall an excellent read.

Considers its pivotal role in world politics:
Pakistan is both a terrorist haven, a den of corruption, and the probable battlefront of Islamic terrorists. This report considers its pivotal role in world politics, blending a history of the country through two decades of eyewitness reporting with portraits of its leaders. Pakistan In The Shadow Of Jihad And Afghanistan is an excellent source for any seeking an understanding of the history and politics of modern Pakistan.

A Country in Trouble:
This stark portrayal of modern Pakistan has helped me to see it as a place that is truly in the cross-fire of international intrigue, discord, and commerce. As she points out in her introduction, Pakistan is a bankrupt nation that is virtually being propped up by outside forces interested in exploiting it for all its worth. Weaver, from her many journalistic visits to the country in the 80s and 90s, developed a keen awareness as to how threatened the future of Pakistan really is in respect to outside forces impinging on its stability. While a lot of Pakistan's present troubles are due in large part to questionable internal decision-making in the past, the big challenge remains the need to keep the growing forces of Islamic fundamentalism in check while it searches for effective political and economic direction. Weaver certainly brings into play a lot of evidence to back up her assertions that Pakistan at present is a nation in a state of geopolitical vertigo. The resurgence of fundamental Islam in the Northwest Frontier, the failures of the Bhutto attempts at democracy, the raping of the environment by the Arabs, the present turmoil with India and Afghanistan, and the continual reliance on the USA for military support all make for an interesting but shaky balance of domestic forces. I suggest that such uncertainty required the toughest kind of leadership Pakistan can possibly find. Abandoning Muscharaff's style of military dictatoship for another go at the Bhutto model of luke-warm democracy might not be the ticket for guaranteeing Pakistan's future. While Weaver recounts her many visits to country in an easy-to-read style, she doesn't bring a lot of in-depth analysis to her observations. Nevertheless, a very helpful read.