A Rashid: Analysis of Pakistan -2/6

Ahmed Rashid - renowned UK-based Pakistani analyst and author of such acclaimed books as "Descent into Chaos: The U.S. and the Disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia", "Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia", and "Jihad: The Rise of Militant Islam in Central Asia" - delivers a superb analysis of Pakistan and regional US policy. He provides keen insights into a host of important issues confronting Pakistan such as military control over foreign policy, increasing military domination of civil society, introduction of radical Islam, support of Taliban in Afghanistan, proxy war with India in Kashmir, and nuclear proliferation. He also describes the shortcomings of US policies in Afghanistan and Pakistan and their likely impact on the region. This interview was recorded in June 2008.

PLEASE READ MY COMMENTS ON THE VIDEO BEFORE WATCHING.

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[KashifHKhan]

PART V:

In fact, listening to Mr. Rashid, it appears that US is simply incapable of nation building given the structural reorganizations of its relevant departments such as USIS and USAID after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This is sad considering the critical role played by the US in reconstruction of post-war Europe and Japan. It is also a serious strategic weakness on part of the US as most conflicts in the 21st century are likely to require a healthy dose of nation building.

-Kashif

[KashifHKhan]

PART IV:

It is also worth noting the massive strategic blunders of the US in Afghanistan. (It proves - if ever proof was needed - that even superpower status is no protection against fallibility!) America did not foresee the consequences of using radical Islam to fight proxy war or of abandoning Afghanistan after Soviet withdrawl. It failed to appreciate the threat posed by Taliban to Karzai government or the necessity of undertaking agricultural reconstruction to revive Afghan economy.

-Kashif

[KashifHKhan]

PART III:

As Mr. Rashid points out, it is extremely ironic that a country whose founders were secular Muslims, risks becoming a theocratic state. In fact, if there is a social breakdown - a reasonable supposition given lack of nationalism, weak state institutions, sinking economy, and state bankruptcy - Pakistan will become a theocratic failed state. That would have catastrophic consequences for regional and world security. No wonder India views Pak as future "Somalia of South Asia".

-Kashif

[KashifHKhan]

PART II:

Military control over the country has not only arrested its economic development, army's anti-India defense policies have created serious social and diplomatic issues. The nurturing and backing of Taliban in Afghanistan - shockingly, even after 9/11 - to gain "strategic depth" against India as well as to fight proxy wards in Kashmir, is fueling "Talibanization" of the country. Diplomatically, Pak has to fight charges of exporting terrorism and risks becoming a pariah state.

-Kashif

[KashifHKhan]

PART I:

"All countries have an army. In Pakistan, the army has a country", says Mr. Rahid. I couldn't agree more! The Pak Army maintains absolute control over the country's foreign policy and has been steadily increasing its influence over the civilian society. As a result, urgent needs of the country's masses - such as education, health-care, transportation, employment, energy, etc - have been (and are being) consistently ignored in favor of national defense considerations.

-Kashif

[motilalji]

well done kashif bhai really interesting and educative video

i wish all those pakistanis watch this and identify their countries' real problems

[TheBigFatDude]

This is information that everyone knew, but in a foggy version.

This is very clear and detailed and all people in India, Pakistan n Afghanistan should watch this!

[mathaisam]

@KashifHKhan yo man...can i copy these whole series of videos to my channel??? hopefully i can help spread d word...if u say not to i wont....thanx brow

[HunnyCatch]

Good intentions have a louder say ...... Thanks Kashif for the video

[khaaan007]

Clever guy! He knows how to sell his theory to the Western audience..

[Aliwali14]

The thing in this video we should notice tht mr. rashid ia not differentiating the taliban... what taliban.. the taliban tht has been attacking america or the ones attacking pakistanis. then he talks about fighting the taliban... but i dont get this.. now americans are trying to make an agreement with the taliban in afghanistan.....and they want to attacki the taliban in pakistan... thr is a grave diff in approaching the 2 problems.. the thing to note is tht, the 2 problems arent tht diff

[Jaigandjeeki]

this guy doesnt knoe wot hes talking

he sounds more british western then the local normal pakistani.

[peacealways100]

Mr Ahmed Rashid makes a LOT OF SENSE. More Pakistanis should look at their present situation w/an unbiased mind and realize that it is their OWN army that has created problems rather than this "perceived" threat from India (which the Pak army has used as a punchline to do everything).

Indians, in general, WANT Pakistan to be a stable and economically powerful country. Remember, that an unstable neighbor (Pakistan) means more problems for Indians since it destabilizes all of South Asia!

[sujaysukumar123]

KashifHKhan - I am these video series as per your suggestion. And here is Dr. Ahmed Rashid saying that suicide bombings happened in Kashmir at the behest of the ISI, so the intelligence reports in India do have credibility. I wish civil society takes over Pakistan and Pakistan prospers as a peaceful economic power.

[TheJimsbond]

very good analyist he have sence of matter