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147th out of 270 books
—
124 voters
Pakistan on the Brink: The Future of America, Pakistan, and Afghanistan
by
Ahmed Rashid
An urgent, on-the-ground report from Pakistan--from the bestselling author of "Descent""Into Chaos" and "Taliban" Ahmed Rashid, one of the world's leading experts on the social and political situations in Pakistan and Afghanistan, offers a highly anticipated update on the possibilities--and hazards--facing the United States after the death of Osama bin Laden and as Operati...more
Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
March 15th 2012
by Viking Adult
(first published March 1st 2012)
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This book is a reality check for our mission in Afghanistan. The author credits Obama with spending more money on economic and social development in Afghanistan than Bush did during his entire 8 years in office. At the same time, the author criticizes Obama for giving short shrift to Richard Holbrooke's pleas to focus on Afghan nation-building. Instead, the author says a novice president dithered for months about how many troops to send in before settling on about 30,000 with a phased withdrawal...more
An excellent book on why Pakistan is about to become a failed state.
The policy of fostering terrorism is destroying the internal fabric of the country. India isn't the greatest threat to Pakistan. The greatest threat to country's existence is Extremism.
The author rightly says that Pakistan should a policy of befriending neighbours. The country is on a verge of economic collapse, but the military or the political elite doesn't consider this a big problem.
Paranoid foreign policy goals of overwhe...more
The policy of fostering terrorism is destroying the internal fabric of the country. India isn't the greatest threat to Pakistan. The greatest threat to country's existence is Extremism.
The author rightly says that Pakistan should a policy of befriending neighbours. The country is on a verge of economic collapse, but the military or the political elite doesn't consider this a big problem.
Paranoid foreign policy goals of overwhe...more
Substance-wise, this is a great summary of the current situation in Af/Pak for those with at least some knowledge about the area and the history of the region. It's not a book for beginners, but it's also not so deep that one couldn't dive in after, say, reading a few Wikipedia articles about the modern history of Afghanistan and of Af/Pak and India/Pakistan relations. Form-wise, while Rashid says right up front that the book was intended as a series of eight essays that could be picked up and s...more
Ahmed Rashid's book on recent events in Pakistan should be required reading for everyone. A Pakistani journalist, Rashid pulls no punches when discussing the treacherous state of affairs in Central and Southeast Asia. And if his vision of the future is dark, he does offer some suggestions and wayposts for bringing hope to his people (and to the world at large, because further chaos in Pakistan will not happen in a vacuum). There's plenty of blame to go around, and Rashid rightly points out ways...more
I really appreciated his two other books, Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia and Descent into Chaos: The United States & the Failure of Nation Building in Pakistan, Afghanistan & Central Asia, for their deep knowledge of the issues at stake in Afghanistan and Central Asia. I was looking forward to this update on things are evolving.
Things are not going well in AfPak. Since American troops will leave Afghanistan by 2014, everybody is pretty much waiting for th...more
Things are not going well in AfPak. Since American troops will leave Afghanistan by 2014, everybody is pretty much waiting for th...more
If you wish you could understand what the heck is going on in the "Af-Pak" region of the world, look no further than this handy book of essays by one of the most knowledgeable experts around. Ahmed Rashid is a Pakistani journalist with deep understanding of Pakistani and Afghan history - he literally wrote the book on the (pre-2001) Taliban - and has been studying the region for decades. He's also been cultivating an excellent set of relationships with top members of the US, Afghan, and Pakistan...more
After the death of OBL last year and the recent disasters and frayed nerves and massacres of the recent campaign, there is often talk of a total withdrawal from Afghanistan, and a re-evaluation of the incredibly shaky relationship the US has with Pakistan.
This excellent supplement to "Pakistan: A Hard Country" and part of a trilogy (which I must read!) shows how muddled the whole situation has become, in clear and analytical sections. It has a solid journalistic tone, and moves relentlessly for...more
This excellent supplement to "Pakistan: A Hard Country" and part of a trilogy (which I must read!) shows how muddled the whole situation has become, in clear and analytical sections. It has a solid journalistic tone, and moves relentlessly for...more
Pakistani journalist Ahmed Rashid's book previous to this one: 'Descent into Chaos: The Failure of U.S. Foreign Policy in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia was absolutely brilliant, and provided meticulous research and cultural, political and economic insight that went above and beyond what anyone could expect of a book covering the U.S.'s activities in the region from 2001-2008.
With this said, Pakistan on the Brink was also a good novel, just not as in depth as the first. The first few...more
With this said, Pakistan on the Brink was also a good novel, just not as in depth as the first. The first few...more
Ever since reading Descent into Chaos by Ahmed Rashid, as well as Jihad, the Rise of Militant Islam in Central Asia, I have been a fan. This book is a continuation of sorts and addresses more of the issue of Pakistan specifically and fundamentalism there - demonstrating that in the future, this will pose a much bigger problem than what is now happening in Afghanistan for the stability of both nations.
A must read on the region and a great book to read alongside of Obama's Wars by Bob Woodward as...more
A must read on the region and a great book to read alongside of Obama's Wars by Bob Woodward as...more
Fascinating, but mostly terrifying. If you prefer comfortable ignorance, don't read this. The author is an expert on Pakistan - this at least his third major book on the subject. I read Descent in to Chaos (well, parts of it - sorry, Professor) and enjoyed (the parts I read) just as much as this one. Rashid has lived in Pakistan and is familiar with a lot of the players personally - he has had dinner with both Obama and Karzai, for example. His books offer a lot more insight than is typical. If...more
This is a quick and easy read on the current status of affairs in Pakistan to include the spillover in Afghanistan as well as relations with the US. Unfortunately, the state of affairs within Pakistan is painful so this is not a cheerful topic. The author, a Pakistani with access to top US policy makers, knows what is he talking about and establishes his credentials within this book, as well as having authored numerous previous books, including his massive Descent Into Chaos. The last chapter is...more
A brief but informative read on the most glaring example of "failed states" in the history of the world.Ahmed Rashid is probably one of the most resourceful and arguably the most knowledgeable Pakistani journalists on Afghan affairs. He has access to some key informants in both the US and Afghanistan which enable him to give inside account of various behind the science events. Pakistan on the Brink is his third publication in a row on the Afghan conflict and its various dynamics including reperc...more
I think Ahmed Rashied should write a long essay of twenty or thirty pages rather than this book. This book's first four chapters are well know for all most all ppl who are interseted in Afghan war or Pakistan issues or USA's war thrist. But the chapters about dialogue with Taliban is interesting and few new stories to, especially about Tayab Agha. But i feel that Ahmed Rasheid has a well access to AISAF, NATO, Pentagan and Afghan elites but very little or no access to Taliban or Pakistan Army's...more
A very informative book. As the author says, every chapter can be read independently regardless of reading anything before or after it. This book is more like a collection of well-researched articles, where every chapter represents an independent article. However, this very handy quality can irk you when you come across redundant information that is supposed to give a pretext to each article. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone interested in central/south Asian affairs!
Amazing fascinating book about Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the U.S. Part three in an on-going series of books written by Pakistani journalist. Mr. Rashid obviously loves his homeland but grieves over the loss of his country's normalcy and Pakistans slide into chaos, self-deceit, and corruption. Having read his newest book, I feel far more educated about al-Qaeda in AfPak, the Taliban in AfPak, and other regional players. Captivating.
Ahmed Rashid is always worth reading. Frightening but compelling.
I assume and hope his accuracy and reputation are what keep him alive since his information, revelations, and analysis have to embarrass every government involved.
This is the 5th or 6th book of his I have read and it appears that few people in authority see the situations, the dangers, and the solutions as he sees them.
I assume and hope his accuracy and reputation are what keep him alive since his information, revelations, and analysis have to embarrass every government involved.
This is the 5th or 6th book of his I have read and it appears that few people in authority see the situations, the dangers, and the solutions as he sees them.
A fantastic book and a must read for all people who would like to get a clear overview of the imbroglio we call AfPak. This book, very different to "The descent into chaos", doesn't really delve into the nitty gritty of policy making, but is primarily aimed at providing an insightful overview to the cogniscenti. It makes for easy reading.
Ths book covers recent history of the Pakistan region and our involvement there. I am sure I learned some things. I cannot remember a lot about the book after a few months, other than a general feeling of hopelessness. I would recommend it if you are into recent history/foreign policy. I think it goes up to November 2011.
As the time for withdrawal of the NATO forces nears and the the coalition finds it difficult to sustain themselves in an hostile environment created by the resurgence of Taliban, Afghanistan struggles to tread towards economic and social development.
Mr. Rashid has proven yet again that he is ,unarguably the sole 'go-to man' for anyone who is interested in Central Asia,Af-Pak, Taliban, War On Terror, Militant Islam and 'The new great game'.
Recent happenings have substantiated the forecasts made b...more
Mr. Rashid has proven yet again that he is ,unarguably the sole 'go-to man' for anyone who is interested in Central Asia,Af-Pak, Taliban, War On Terror, Militant Islam and 'The new great game'.
Recent happenings have substantiated the forecasts made b...more
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I've spent the summmer reading up on the Middle East. I would recommend this book as part of that group for gaining greater understanding of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the troubled relationship with America and the world.
Karzai and Zardari are still at it, and after reading this collection of essays one wonders at their staying power amid the rapidly changing political landscape of the region. Ahmed Rashid brings the players to life in this book that I found accessible even with an extremely limited knowledge of subject.
A good interwoven analysis of the foreign policies of Pakistan, Afghanistan and United State and thorough analysis of the domestic conditions of AfPak. Ahmed Rashid maintains his impartiality and shows the War on Terror in Af-Pak through a very objective perspective.
If not the best work of Ahmed Rashid, this is still a fascinating read. It reads very well and is keeping you wanting more. Looking forward to the next book from Rashid.
Terrifying. A compelling book on the horribly and disastrously high potential for Pakistan to continue to mismanage its various internal and external crises.
Well, I'm glad I read this, but it was less comfortable than keeping my head in the sand.
Quite sobering -- a must-read for anyone wishing to understand where we are and what options exist for future relations with Pakistan (and Afghanistan, for that matter).
Interesting, timely, not hopeful about the future or America making a difference.
Unlike Decent into Chaos this Rashid book is a quicker read, not as indepth as Decent. It resembles a collection of essays, each chapter can be read and stands on its own, covering key topics around the whole AfPak situation.
What is clear is that a nuclear nation, who's dance with extremism in the name of national security began around 1972-74, is hurtling at warp speed towards not just failure as a state, but the potential for much much worse. A future in which nobody wins, not Pakistan, not it...more
What is clear is that a nuclear nation, who's dance with extremism in the name of national security began around 1972-74, is hurtling at warp speed towards not just failure as a state, but the potential for much much worse. A future in which nobody wins, not Pakistan, not it...more
Aug 14, 2012
S2 Mc
added it
Author repeats himself, but agreed, Pakistan is a failed state.
Jan 03, 2013
Rachel
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
depressing,
history,
important,
pakistan,
america,
afghanistan,
war,
nonfiction,
middle-east
In summary: everything is terrible and getting progressively worse.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| It seems to be definitive... | 1 | 4 | Feb 11, 2013 11:03am |
Son of Ahmed (an engineer) and Piari (a homemaker) Rashid; married Angeles Espino Perez- Hurtado, 1982; children: Raphael, Sara Bano. Education: Attended Government College, Lahore, Pakistan, 1966- 68, and Cambridge University, 1968-70; earned B.A. and M.A. Religion: Muslim. Addresses: Homeoffice: Lahore Cant., Pakistan. E-mail: review@brain.net.pk.
Career: Journalist and broadcaster. Correspondent...more
More about Ahmed Rashid...
Career: Journalist and broadcaster. Correspondent...more
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