A Rashid: Analysis of Pakistan -4/6

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

[2010aditya]

Mr.Rashid should be the PM of pakistan becoz he is honest.Not in denial like other pakis.

[shreeks72]

Finally..finally people from the land of the pure are beginning to realize that their demons are now coming back home...

Mohammed of Ghazni's invasion didn't work out so well after all, did it?

[nayiabhishek]

Most of the Pakis want to hear their preferable version of reality and rejecting all other Information without giving a thought about it.

Their mindsets are in DENIAL mode from so long that they can't even give a chance of other possibilities.

[tutu1234]

This guy is absolutely correct as he is one of the few sane pakistanis, how accepts With islamic FRUSTRATION and Insecurity Running High, Pakistan has truly become Failed State ranking 10th in the world, with is Bankruptcy and Beggary it figures out as an International Beggar.

Due to pakistans shameless defeat after defeat at the hands of Mighty India, the frustrated army created a band of jihaidis out of its already radicalized illiterate youth! its become another name of terrorism!

[Jaigandjeeki]

wtf is this guy talking man lol

loads of bull shits,taliban in afghan wre never a threat to pakistan realisticly they were friendly paki loving ppl.now india is all ova afghanistan helpin rebuild construction its sumthing india needs to do in his own country 1st lol before thinkin about aiding another country better help the country of ur own ppl 1st its all bull shit politics

[RanaQuetta]

sure rubish for your kind of people, who dont like truth. If he says, what you like to hear, than its not rubish....

[humanseasons]

what a load of rubbish!!!

[IndiaKiMaanKiChoot]

he is saying what he was told to talk. you can see his face he doesn't look like an intelligent person. what ever he is saying all people in Pakistan know this fake version. Just a version but nothing to do with reality. he is reading just a script given to him by Zionists. because of him and other like him now jews say that all Pakistani are traitors

[ShivKumarBatalavi]

The most Important Part - 2002 threat to the Indian Government via US of Nuking it's own Sindh province

The job of the army is not to kill or desire or threat to kill it's own people. The Pakistani army threatened to nuke their own people in 2002. I wouldn't be wrong if I term them as cowards not soldiers. I remember a famous soldiers saying -

"Some goals are so worthy, it's glorious even to fail"  -Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey((1/11 Gorkha Rifles) Param Vir Chakra)