Frontline Pakistan
Subtitle: The Struggle With Militant Islam
Publisher: Columbia Univ Pr
Published: 2008
Language: eng
ISBN-13: 9780231142250
Subjects: Politics and government; Islam and politics; Islamic fundamentalism; Religious aspects; Jihad; Terrorism; Political activity; Armed Forces
Description: "After September 11, 2001, Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf, vowed to fight extremism in his country and has since established himself as a key ally in America's "global war on terror." But as veteran Pakistani journalist and commentator Zahid Hussain reveals in this book, Musharraf is in an impossible position. The Pakistani army and intelligence services are thoroughly penetrated by jihadists. In fact, the current government came into power through its support of radical Islamist groups, such as those fighting in Kashmir. Based on exclusive interviews with key players and grassroots radicals, Hussain exposes the threads of Pakistan's complex political power web and the consequences of Musharraf's decision to support the U.S.'s drive against jihadism, which essentially took Pakistan to war with itself. He recounts the origins and nature of the jihadi movement in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the long-standing and often denied links between militants and Pakistani authorities, the weaknesses of successive elected governments, and the challenges to Musharraf's authority posed by politico-religious, sectarian, and civil society elements within the country. The jihadi madrassas of Pakistan are incubators of the most feared terrorists in the world. Osama bin Laden himself is believed to be hiding close to the Pakistani border. Although the country's "war on terror" has so far been a stage show, a very real battle is looming, the outcome of which will have grave implications for the future security of the world." -- Book jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Preface --; title: Acknowledgements --; title: Prologue : Pakistan against itself -- -- 1.; title: Pakistan's unholy alliance : the militants and the military -- -- 2.; title: Volte-face -- -- 3.; title: Inside Jihad : army of the pure -- -- 4.; title: Nursery for Jihad -- -- 5.; title: The conflict within -- -- 6.; title: Kashmir : a general on a tightrope -- -- 7.; title: The war comes home : Al-Qaeda in Pakistan -- -- 8.; title: The tribal warriors -- -- 9.; title: Rogue in the ranks : the nuclear black market -- -- 10.; title: The siege within : the return of the Mullahs -- -- 11.; title: Fault lines --; title: Timeline --; title: Notes --; title: Index.