A Rashid: Analysis of Pakistan -1/6

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

[good1976]

the problem in kashmir has to do with islam. Once islam is banned peace will come back to kashmir and also all over the world. I am open for your discussion. let me know your views.

[RanaQuetta]

Dear hassan, i think Ahmad is more Pakistani than you. By the way, does Ahmad need pakistani certificate from you? I dont think so.I am also pakistani and Ahmad is very true. We just cannot handle critisims and specially agaist militry the holy cow

[jawadtlg]

a sensible man with sensible views...

[SuperUncleruckus]

very, very informative video! Though, the slightly more left wing fundamentalists would say he's paid, or an Indian in disguise. All he is saying are basically insults to Pakistan, but they all seem to fit in place of history.

[nayiabhishek]

@ALANSARALHAQ yes, send hassan nisar,pervez hoobdoobey, nijam sethi, and all thinking brains to India and you may take all of fundamentalist from India.

[nayiabhishek]

@TheAbidkhan sorry bud, but Pakistan is in huge debt with large number of illiterate Fundamentalist and may endanger sovernity and congruinity of India. India merging with Pakistan will be decline of India as well because of prejudices of Fundamentalists.

[alihammadshahX]

@good1976 What? Ban islam, how can you do that without massacring and terrorizing muslims because muslim don't take shit from non - muslims that threaten islam. Instead you can ban Foreigners to end wars in muslim homelands.

[xizvw]

@good1976 I completely agree.The problem is the political use of religious Islam.Everwhere from Chechenya to Xinjiang to Kashmir,whereever muslims have problem ,the issue becomes Muslims vs Non Muslims.

[ashutoshgrewal]

@RanaQuetta I don't mean to be provocative or sound like a person professing an ideology in any way. All I want to say is its good to find rational Pakistanis like you on youtube.

I hope you guys take your country to glory and be friends with us (INDIA/US).

[ramtj108]

@KashifHKhan Hahahaha ...Nation building ? Hay man Japanese built thier own nation ....europeons already had thiers and post war they did it on their own.......So you guys have been waiting for America to build your country.............Hahahahaha

[hashpuppy101]

@good1976 : thaz the sliest idea ive heard in a long long time.islam is not a pakistani monopoly.if anything,it belongs to india more than any other country in the region.we need to embrace indian islam and wax india's identity out of the philosophy too. pakistan is a fucked up state.if they were a hindu state, theyl still be the same.

[hashpuppy101]

where pakistan is but an eventuality.if u trace back their nation building, u could it literally put ur finger down to where they are.its the only logical possibility.