All those interested in South Asia, Afghanistan and 'War against Terrorism would find this new book by Dr. Ijaz Khan of University of Peshawar very interesting. The book is of immense help in understanding Pakistan and its role in 'War against Terrorism. it is interesting as it is an insiders account/analysis and is independent of the official controlled views projected by Pakistan.
The book, titled, “Pakistan’s Strategic Culture and Foreign Policy Making: A Study of Pakistan’s Post 9/11 Afghan Policy” has been published by Nova Science Publishers , New York. The book studies Pakistan’s Strategic Culture and Foreign Policy Decision–Making process with the help of Prof. Karl Deutsch’s Streams of Information Model and explains why Pakistan supported Taliban, then why, in the wake of 9/11, it changed that policy, noting the difficulties it is facing as a result of the changed Afghan Policy.
It is argued that Pakistan’s support for Taliban was a result of its strategic culture that had developed over years, thus all its domestic perceptions were woven around Pakistan’s establishment belief that Taliban serves Pakistan’s regional security interests best. The change resulting in abandoning of Taliban was more a result of external inputs which conflicted with its long held security perceptions.
Thus one notes a growing crisis of state and society and more importantly of international credibility as long as Pakistan’s role in the ‘War against Terrorism’ is concerned as pro Taliban Policy continues to be viewed as a better option in a wide range of establishment intelligentsia, not just the religious extremists. The book ends with suggestions how and where to change Pakistan’s decision making process by changing its strategic culture, as required by Pakistan’s changed Foreign/Afghan Policy.
For further/purchase information go to Publisher's Website:
https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=5861
To know more about what's in it read its review at http://jang.com.pk/thenews/dec2007-weekly/nos-30-12-2007/pol1.htm#4
Dr. Ijaz Khan
Assistant Professor
Department of International Relations
University of Peshawar
NWFP, Pakistan
Web http://www.geocities.com/ikkhattak
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