Frontline Pakistan: The Struggle with Militant Islam

By Zahid Hussain

Book Overview

After September 11, 2001, Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf, vowed to fight extremism in his country and has since established himself as a key ally in America's "global war on terror." But as veteran Pakistani journalist and commentator Zahid Hussain reveals in this book, Musharraf is in an impossible position. The Pakistani army and intelligence services are thoroughly penetrated by jihadists. In fact, the current government came into power through its support of radical Islamist groups, such as those fighting in Kashmir. Based on exclusive interviews with key players and grassroots radicals, Hussain exposes the threads of Pakistan's complex political power web and the consequences of Musharraf's decision to support the U.S.'s drive against jihadism, which essentially took Pakistan to war with itself. He recounts the origins and nature of the jihadi movement in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the long-standing and often denied links between militants and Pakistani authorities, the weaknesses of successive elected governments, and the challenges to Musharraf's authority posed by politico-religious, sectarian, and civil society elements within the country. The jihadi madrassas of Pakistan are incubators of the most feared terrorists in the world. Osama bin Laden himself is believed to be hiding close to the Pakistani border. Although the country's "war on terror" has so far been a stage show, a very real battle is looming, the outcome of which will have grave implications for the future security of the world.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0231142242
• ISBN13: 9780231142243
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.4" x 9.6"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Dense Detail, but Excellent Book

An excellent book. Hussain packs in quite a few historical, religious, and political details in this book on the history, pulse, politics, and Islamic culture of Pakistan. Readers who know nothing about Pakistan may feel a bit overwhelmed, as there is quite a bit of historical (and present day!) review. But, having read this book, you will be brought considerably up to speed on the events of Pakistan, particularly since the Presidency of Zia al-Haq. Hussain does not spend much time with the Bhuttos, but does a fine job critically examining the leadership and the burdens faced by Perves Musharraf. A very good book.

Four and a half

There's no option to choose four and a half stars. The missing half star comes from a lacking of a review of Pakistan's history around (before and little after 1947) and the ethnic composytion of the country. Maybe I'm demanding too much. The book gives a good account of recent developments, regarding the diverse islamists groups, islamic parties, and the role of the army and ISI in arming and steering them. Filled a void of information I had about this important player in the regional chess.

Informative Summary of Militant Islam in Pakistan

This book is a fact-packed but highly accessible must-read for those who wish to get a better understanding of the political turmoil throughout the history of modern Pakistan. In particular, this book emphasizes the current struggle with militant Islam and provides plenty of historical context to help Westerners better understand the struggle. A few things you can expect to learn from reading this book include the following: * The ideological differences between several of the recent Pakistani leadership including General Musharraf, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. * The history of the struggle with India for the Kashmir region. * How General Zia radicalized the previously secular Pakistani military. * The various major Islamic terrorist groups in Pakistan (e.g., LeT, HuT and JeM) and their ideological differences. * The infamous General Hamid Gul, his role in training the Muhadijeen to combat the Soviets in the recent Soviet-Afghan war, his heading of Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence and his support of the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden. * Pakistan's role in the 2001 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. * Abdul Qadeer Khan, the unscrupulous Pakistani scientist and his role in global nuclear proliferation to rogue nations such as Iran, Libya and North Korea. This is a must read for anyone wanting to read about another significant facet of the war against Islamic terrorism.

Great book - in touch with ground reality

This is a first serious effort by someone to expose the ground realities in Pakistan. I was expecting it to be a dry book but was pleasantly surprised at the content - it was hard to put it down! Zahid Hussain has done an excellent job at presenting the facts (a lot of it) and still maintain the readers interest. He provides an excellent insight on the state of affairs in Pakistan since it's creation in 1947 - the nexus of Government and terrorist organizations, and Pakistan's efforts to keep alive the Kashmir issue per its own personal agenda.

Pakistan - A Social and Political Explosion Waiting to Happen

This is an excellent book; well researched, well written, and a compelling read! Author Zahid Hussain, Pakistani correspondent for the "Times of London", "The Wall Street Journal", and "Newsweek" exposes Pakistan's close ties with the Taleban and al Qaeda. Pakistan's Directorate of Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) is literally the founder of the modern-day Taleban. Having lost control of both al Qaeda and the Taleban, Pakistan, which is under the control of President Pervez Musharraf (who has pledged his full support to the United States in the War on Terror) is running out of time. "Despite the backing of the army and America, Musharraf is living on borrowed time,' writes Hussain. "He has spawned a system that is a hybrid of military and civilian rule. It is not a democracy." And here lies the problem: "The war against militancy Islamic extremism can be best fought - and won - in a liberal democracy. Musharraf's authoritarian rule has blocked any hopes of a democratic process taking root." Yet the restoration of democracy in Pakistan is not an American priority, because a leader in uniform is perceived as being capable of delivering far more than one who is democractically elected. "An army general ruling Pakistan does not trouble the West, so long as he happens to be an effective ally in the war against terror," observes the author. Musharraf and Pakistan have been an effective ally, killing and capturing hundreds of key Taleban and al Qaeda leaders and fighters. But Musharraf's support for the US-led war on terror, his tactical cooperation with various militant groups, and his refusal to embed a culture of democracy and accountability have intensified social, ethnic and religious differences in Pakistani society. "These are the faultlines from which a geo-political earthquake could at some point erupt," warns Hussain, "an earthquake which would make the current reegional security situation look positively calm by comparison. Pakistan's battle with itself is far from over." Let us hope someone with the intelligence, ability and authority to make the right things happen is listening to Hussain's warning.