Rethinking the National Security of Pakistan: The Price of Strategic Myopia [Hardcover]

Ahmad Faruqui (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0754614972 | ISBN-13: 978-0754614975 | Publication Date: February 2003

A comprehensive examination of Pakistan's national security, this book provides coherent, interrelated analysis of the key issues such as political leadership, social and economic development and foreign policy over the past half-century.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

The event that compelled me to write this book was the clash in 1999 between the Pakistani and Indian armies in the icy heights of Kargil in Kashmir. This was the fourth major conflict between Pakistan and India, and came a year after both nations had exploded nuclear devices. The Kargil conflict ignited tensions between the civilian government and the military in Pakistan, leading to another bout of military rule.

In this book, I analyze contemporary events in light of the region’s complex history. Several of Pakistan’s problems can be traced to its national security policies that place a heavy emphasis on military spending. Its fear of being reabsorbed into India has caused it to spend enormous amounts of its resources on national defense. Very little has been left for economic and social development, resulting in the present situation where its national security has been gravely compromised by the very policies that seek to increase its security.

This book reviews the strategic culture of Pakistan. It is written to re-examine the fundamental premises at the core of Pakistan’s security policies, and to propose a "soft path" that does not equate military security with national security.

There is a vast and burgeoning literature on the problems facing Pakistan. Economists have analyzed why Pakistan failed to become an Asian tiger. Political scientists have theorized why democracy failed to germinate in Pakistan while it flourished in neighboring India. Defense analysts have reviewed the failings of Pakistan’s military in its myriad wars with India, and wondered why the two militaries that shared a common parent in the British Indian Army have fared so differently. Sociologists have discussed the impact of militarism on Pakistani society and studied, in consort with political scientists, why Pakistan cannot free itself from the scourge of militarism. This book weaves together these multiple strands of research.

About the Author

Ahmad Faruqui, American Institute of International Studies

Product Details

• Hardcover: 230 pages
• Publisher: Ashgate Pub Ltd (February 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0754614972
• ISBN-13: 978-0754614975
• Product Dimensions: 14.9 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,798,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Pakistani must read this book, July 3, 2003

By 

"kamranmeer" (Fremont, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rethinking the National Security of Pakistan: The Price of Strategic Myopia (Hardcover)

Dr. Faruqui takes the reader through a very objective and un-biased analysis of how Pakistani politicians and generals have shaped the lives of its 150 million people, who are largely a silent majority in Pakistan. Dr. Faruqui calls out both the smart moves as well as the mistakes made by personalities in the governments over the years.

I was left wishing that the chapter on Organizational Reform in the Pakistan Military (Ch. 12) was given more depth and detail.

Overall excellent and readable synopsis for catching up on all that has happened in Pakistan to bring it to its current state of affairs. Every Pakistani, young and old, must read this book so they can begin to reclaim their destinies from the hands of army generals and incompetent politicians.