Armed Forces of Pakistan (Armed Forces of Asia) [Paperback]

Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema (Author)

Book Description

Series: Armed Forces of Asia | Publication Date: August 7, 2003

To the north a seemingly endless civil war in Afghanistan fuelled by arms from Russia and the USA. To the west, a fundamentalist Islamic region in Iran, with links to international terrorism. To the north-east, a secessionist guerilla war in Kashmir. To the east, India, with which Pakistan has fought two wars in 40 years. In these volatile circumstances, Pakistan's armed forces continue to play an important role both internally and externally. Since their creation out of the communal violence of partition at the end of World War II, the armed forces of Pakistan have played a central role in the Pakistani state, periodically usurping the civil authority and ruling in its own right. This book describes the nature of Pakistan's defence capabilities and the forces which will shape them in the 21st century. It surveys the forces locked in conflict over the nuclear option and examines the three internal pressures Pakistan continues to face: militarization, secularization and Islamic fundamentalism. The book assesses the role of the armed forces in the context of defence policy and strategy, and its social and political role. It also provides a comprehensive description of the nature of the air, naval and ground forces, as well as an account of each of their capabilities and ambitions. An appendix provides a precise order of battle.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The distinguished Pakistani scholar, . . . provides a work that invites comparison with the Turkish situation since before World War II.”
-The Journal of Military History

,

“The study sheds light on three domestic pressures facing Pakistan: militarization, secularization, and Islamic fundamentalism.”
-Middle East Journal

, --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Dr Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema was the Director General of the Academy of Educational Planning and Management at the Pakistan Department of Education, but is now based in the South Asia Institute at Heidelberg University. He is the author of a number of studies on the politics and defence of Pakistan and has been a professorial visitor at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, ANU.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Non Basic Stock Line (August 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1865081191
• ISBN-13: 978-1865081199
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,767,032 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, October 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Armed Forces of Pakistan (Armed Forces of Asia) (Paperback)

I have one word, disappointment. This book was so superficial that it was almost of no value. The author only expended effort in apologizing for the failings of the Pakistani Armed Forces. This ironically may be the books only value. It provides a small window into the mind of the Pakistani military.