The Unraveling

Pakistan in the Age of Jihad

Nonfiction, History, Asian, India, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Church, Church & State, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book The Unraveling by John R. Schmidt, Farrar, Straus and Giroux
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: John R. Schmidt ISBN: 9781429969079
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Publication: September 13, 2011
Imprint: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Language: English
Author: John R. Schmidt
ISBN: 9781429969079
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication: September 13, 2011
Imprint: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Language: English

How did a nation founded as a homeland for South Asian Muslims, most of whom follow a tolerant nonthreatening form of Islam, become a haven for Al Qaeda and a rogue's gallery of domestic jihadist and sectarian groups?

In this groundbreaking history of Pakistan's involvement with radical Islam, John R. Schmidt, the senior U.S political analyst in Pakistan in the years before 9/11, places the blame squarely on the rulers of the country, who thought they could use Islamic radicals to advance their foreign policy goals without having to pay a steep price. This strategy worked well at first--in Afghanistan during the anti-Soviet jihad, in Kashmir in support of a local uprising against Indian rule, and again in Afghanistan in backing the Taliban in the Afghan civil war. But the government's plans would begin to unravel in the wake of 9/11, when the rulers' support for the U.S. war on terror caused many of their jihadist allies to turn against them. Today the army generals and feudal politicians who run Pakistan are by turns fearful of the consequences of going after these groups and hopeful that they can still be used to advance the state's interests.

The Unraveling is the clearest account yet of the complex, dangerous relationship between the leaders of Pakistan and jihadist groups—and how the rulers' decisions have led their nation to the brink of disaster and put other nations at great risk. Can they save their country or will we one day find ourselves confronting the first nuclear-armed jihadist state?

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

How did a nation founded as a homeland for South Asian Muslims, most of whom follow a tolerant nonthreatening form of Islam, become a haven for Al Qaeda and a rogue's gallery of domestic jihadist and sectarian groups?

In this groundbreaking history of Pakistan's involvement with radical Islam, John R. Schmidt, the senior U.S political analyst in Pakistan in the years before 9/11, places the blame squarely on the rulers of the country, who thought they could use Islamic radicals to advance their foreign policy goals without having to pay a steep price. This strategy worked well at first--in Afghanistan during the anti-Soviet jihad, in Kashmir in support of a local uprising against Indian rule, and again in Afghanistan in backing the Taliban in the Afghan civil war. But the government's plans would begin to unravel in the wake of 9/11, when the rulers' support for the U.S. war on terror caused many of their jihadist allies to turn against them. Today the army generals and feudal politicians who run Pakistan are by turns fearful of the consequences of going after these groups and hopeful that they can still be used to advance the state's interests.

The Unraveling is the clearest account yet of the complex, dangerous relationship between the leaders of Pakistan and jihadist groups—and how the rulers' decisions have led their nation to the brink of disaster and put other nations at great risk. Can they save their country or will we one day find ourselves confronting the first nuclear-armed jihadist state?

More books from Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Cover of the book Woes of the True Policeman by John R. Schmidt
Cover of the book Early Work by John R. Schmidt
Cover of the book Renaissance Woman by John R. Schmidt
Cover of the book Einstein by John R. Schmidt
Cover of the book Gene Smith's Sink by John R. Schmidt
Cover of the book The Laws of our Fathers by John R. Schmidt
Cover of the book American Philosophy by John R. Schmidt
Cover of the book One of Us by John R. Schmidt
Cover of the book The Ruling Caste by John R. Schmidt
Cover of the book The Government of the Tongue by John R. Schmidt
Cover of the book Taller When Prone by John R. Schmidt
Cover of the book Makeovers by Marcia by John R. Schmidt
Cover of the book Making Fine Wines and Liqueurs at Home by John R. Schmidt
Cover of the book Moominpappa at Sea by John R. Schmidt
Cover of the book Noon by John R. Schmidt
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy