A quick must-read on Pakistan

Today Pat Lang links to “Pakistan on the Brink,” a three-page .doc file that I urge you to read if you can. In it, FB Ali discusses the internal strains on Pakistani society and government with insight, verve, and some surprises too (at least they were to me, and I’ve tried to pay fairly good attention). Here’s a taste or two:

Another widely held sentiment is strong anti-US feelings; these are not directed against Americans but against the US government, and are based on what is perceived as its destruction of Afghanistan and Iraq, its condoning the destruction of the Palestinians and Lebanon, its war on terror that appears to be a war on Muslims, and now its sabre-rattling against Iran. …

If the army cracks, the country could break down into anarchy, or another military dictator, with a very different orientation, could take over. Even if the army holds together, the country faces increasing instability and unrest. The growth of religious fundamentalism in society cannot help but infect the army, and there is a small but real danger of a coup being mounted by such elements in the military. If Pakistan founders, Iraq will seem, in retrospect, to have been a rather rowdy picnic, and Iran just a pushy braggart.

Critics of the Bush Administration point to Iraq as its greatest blunder. History may well record that an even bigger blunder was its policies in Afghanistan and Pakistan. …

FBA’s main warning: If you liked Ahmad Chalabi, you’ll love Benazir Bhutto.

lotus

Tags: Afghanistan, Ahmad Chalabi, Benazir Bhutto, Bush Administration, FB Ali, fundamentalism, Iran, Lebanon, Muslims, Pakistan, Palestinians, Pat Lang