Pakistan: Between Mosque And Military [Paperback]

Husain Haqqani (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0870032143 | ISBN-13: 978-0870032141 | Publication Date: July 2005

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 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 its military. This book analyzes the origins of the relationships between Islamist groups and Pakistan’s military, and explores the nation’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--Haqqani offers an alternative view of political developments since the country’s independence in 1947.

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

About the Author

Husain Haqqani is a visiting scholar in the South Asia Project at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and an associate professor of International Relations at Boston University. He is former adviser to Pakistani prime ministers, and has served as Pakistan's ambassador to Sri Lanka.

Product Details

• Paperback: 395 pages
• Publisher: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (July 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870032143
• ISBN-13: 978-0870032141
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,742 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #46 in Books > History > Asia > Pakistan

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN OUTSTANDING AND PENETRATING HISTORY WRITTEN BY A WELL QUALIFIED INSIDER, March 9, 2006

By 

WAYNE YUNGHANS "WORDMAN" (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pakistan: Between Mosque And Military (Paperback)

When I began this book, my knowledge of Pakistan was the sum total of various sound bites, short conversations with Pakistani co-workers and articles I had read. This resulted in a vague and conflicted perception. Such is no longer the case. The time spent reading Haqqani's book has acquainted me well with the personalities, issues, history and indeed the phenomenon which is Pakistan.

This outstanding work provides the kind historical analysis only available from someone who was there to live the history of which he speaks. As an advisor to three of Pakistan's prime ministers, an acquaintance or personal friend of several influential generals, and as Pakistan's ambassador to Sri Lanka, the author writes with authority from first hand knowledge. He provides a close-in view of the personalities, relationships and complicated intrigue behind many of the events which comprise the story which is the history of Pakistan.

Concerning political intrigue: I think it's fair to say that since its inception, Pakistan has taken that phenomenon to a new level. The interplay and opposition between the military (whose aim is always to control the government), the civilian government (who at times dares pursue ends unsanctioned by the former entity) and the islamist extremists (whom the former seeks to manipulate to help them control the latter) results in a pervasive and ongoing tension. The media is correct to speak of Pakistani politics as "shadow games". Indeed, much goes on in the shadows, behind the scenes where none are supposed to see. The military - and intelligence service (the ISI) exercise an amazing ability to manipulate events, perceptions and ultimately the sentiments of the masses in order to further their own agenda. While reading the book, I expected the level of shenanigans to eventually subside into a fairly smooth running government... Although on the surface, Pakistan has had such periods, the background intrigue never ceases.

The author is amazing in the level of detail he is able to provide. His long personal involvement with the players and institutions of which he speaks, as well as his learning, enable him to present a cogent and engaging account of a complicated subject which - in other hands - could easily be cumbersome and a burden to read. Instead, I found my interest never at a wane. The book reads like a good novel - except it's true. Once again my personal perspective is vindicated: why read fiction when so much of human history is "stranger yet"..!! For those who wish to understand the phenomenon which is Pakistan, I heartily recommend this book.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Well-researched Book, June 5, 2006

By 

Aamir R. Hashmi (Singapore) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pakistan: Between Mosque And Military (Paperback)

This is a well researched book and offers a new perspective on Pakistan's history and politics. Haqqani's main thesis is that the Islamists and the military in Pakistan have always found it beneficial to cooperate with each other. The main reason for this relationships dates back to the creation of Pakistan when the circumstances forced the early leaders of Pakistan to adopt a tripod strategy. The pillars of that strategy were Islam, hatred against India and reliance on American aid. Haqqani argues that this strategy has not changed over time. In conclusion, he asks the American policy makers to stop assisting the military in Pakistan and help Pakistan move from an ideological state run by the mullah-military alliance to a functional one run by the people of Pakistan.

The major weakness of the book lies in its conclusion. It appeals to the American policy makers to do some thing to solve Pakistan's problems. It is the same mistake that Pakistan's military dictators have always made and that the two exiled Pakistani leaders (Mr Nawaz Sharif and Ms Benazir Bhutto) are making now. Rather than appealing to the people of Pakistan to rise up to the occasion and to understand that if Pakistan becomes a democratic, liberal and progressive state they are the ones to directly benefit, Haqqani seeks the solution in the Capitol Hill and the White House.

The problem is that a majority of Pakistanis is still not fully convinced that a truly democratic Pakistan will serve their interests better than the one run by mullah-military alliance. However, it is for this very reason that scholars like Haqqani should come forward and tell the people of Pakistan what is good and what is harmful for them. The scholars should educate ordinary Pakistanis and show them what the propaganda machinery in Pakistan is not letting them see. In the same vein, it will be a good idea to publish an Urdu translation of this book and make it available at a low price in Pakistan so that more Pakistanis can read and benefit from Haqqani's research.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some work!, July 14, 2005

By 

Aniq Zafar - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pakistan: Between Mosque And Military (Paperback)

As a Pakistani with active interest in the poltics and history of the country, I realize that Pakistan is a difficult country. Its politics is topsy-turvy. It is an American ally but its people hate America. Recently it has been at the forefront of the War Against terrorism but continues to be criticized in U.S. media for being a breeding ground for terrorism.

Most books on Pakistan either question the country's rationale or are apologetic about its circumstances. This book does neither. Mr. Haqqani acknowledges the difficulties Pakistan faced at the time of its creation and then proceeds to analyze how its leadership made choices that have led the country through many crises. Instead of backing Pakistani nationalism with a constitutional government, its mainly military leaders tried to base Pakistan on a somewhat contrived ideology. That, more then anything else, explains why Pakistan was divided in 1971 and became a supporter of the Taliban in the 1990s.

This book is not about blame. It explains, analyzes and clarifies. It would help Americans and Pakistanis alike in understanding why Pakistan has become so complicated and how it can become stable in the future.