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The Most Dangerous Place: Pakistan's Lawless Frontier
Eight years ago we chased the Taliban from Kabul and forced al-Qaeda to find a new home. One by one the militants crossed the border into Pakistan and settled in its tribal areas, building alliances with locals and terrorizing or bribing their way to power. This place—Pakistan's lawless frontier—is now the epicenter of global terrorism. It is where young American and British jihadists go to be trained, where the kidnapped are stowed away, and where plots are hatched for deadly attacks all over the world. It has become, in President Obama's words, "the most dangerous place"—a hornet's nest of violent extremists, many of whom now target their own state in vicious suicide-bombing campaigns.
Imtiaz Gul, who knows the ins and outs of these groups and their leaders, tackles the toughest questions about the current situation: What can be done to bring the Pakistani Taliban under control? Who funds these militants and what are their links to al-Qaeda? Are they still supported by the ISI, Pakistan's all-powerful intelligence agency?
Based on dozens of exclusive interviews with high-ranking Pakistani intelligence and government and military officers, as well as extensive first-hand reporting, The Most Dangerous Place is a gripping and definitive exposé of a region that Americans urgently need to understand.
Imtiaz Gul, who knows the ins and outs of these groups and their leaders, tackles the toughest questions about the current situation: What can be done to bring the Pakistani Taliban under control? Who funds these militants and what are their links to al-Qaeda? Are they still supported by the ISI, Pakistan's all-powerful intelligence agency?
Based on dozens of exclusive interviews with high-ranking Pakistani intelligence and government and military officers, as well as extensive first-hand reporting, The Most Dangerous Place is a gripping and definitive exposé of a region that Americans urgently need to understand.
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First published June 1, 2010
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November 1, 2011
This was well-researched about the Federally Administered Tribal Region of Pakistan (FATR). This is the Afghan-Pakistan border that is dominated by the Pashtun ethnic tribe. This presents a problem because the Pashtun people do not acknowledge the border: weapons, cash, armed combatants, and other resources travel freely across the border. The region is problematic with extremists, promoters of extreme ideology, suicide bombers, and a hotbed for creating insurgents. This area has been a continuing problem for both US-Coalition forces in Afghanistan and internal security in Pakistan. I would recommend this to anyone interested in Afghan-Pakistan conflicts in tandem with the US-Coalition war on terror. Thanks!
June 4, 2010
I was really excited to read this book, which I won for free through Goodreads. What intrigued me was the description of the book as "a gripping and definitive exposé of a region that Americans need urgently to understand."
Honestly, this book was a difficult read for me. This is an in-depth look at Pakistani politics and terrorism, but I just didn't have the understanding/background to keep up with most of it. I did read the whole thing and there were things that I learned from the book:
*The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 and the CIA then spent the next 10 years training Afghanistan terrorists, supplying weapons, and providing propaganda to encourage them to fight the "infidel" communists. This book makes the case that much of this training, weaponry, and propaganda was later turned against the U.S. and that many of the terrorists now trying to destroy the U.S. were actually created by the U.S.
*This book explained how the Taliban takes control in an area. First, the border regions between Pakistan and Afghanistan are mostly lawless, occupied by lots of individual tribes, and not well controlled by the government. So the Taliban comes in and starts putting in order. People appreciate finally seeing some justice. Then the Taliban takes control and imposes their strict religious code, but by the time the people realize what freedoms they have given up it is too late.
*This book gives a clear and heartbreaking picture of what has happened to Pakistan as a result of the Afghan war. As the allies have pushed terrorists out of Afghanistan, they have pushed them into Pakistan. The book gives many statistics and examples of how the violence has escalated. For example, there were no suicide bombings before 2001, but since then they have become commonplace.
*The book also talks briefly about the process of recruiting and training suicide bombers and I found this enlightening.
I said already that this book was difficult for me because I didn't have enough of a background. There were at least two specific things that would have been helpful for the book to explain:
*I still don't understand what made the terrorists change from allies of the U.S. that were fighting the communists to hating the U.S. This book talks about some perceptions that fuel anti-American sentiment, including beliefs that (1) the Americans want to occupy Pakistan and other middle eastern countries, basically that they are using the current conflicts as an excuse to grab land and resources, (2) that the western influences are corrupting the people and separating them from their Muslim beliefs and (3) that the Americans come in with their agenda and expect countries such as Pakistan to help them with no consideration for what it costs the people of the country. This was very interesting and gave me some things to think about, but I still don't understand when/why the Americans first became the enemies.
*History of the conflict between Pakistan and India. I don't feel like the origins of the conflict between Pakistan and India was covered at all in the book, although recent events between the two countries were covered. This book gave me some insight into the volatility of the relations between the two countries and I find it positively terrifying that they both have nuclear weapons.
This was an advance copy and my book was missing pages 66 to 69. I read through the appendices and felt like they were very useful. The author goes through and describes by name the top terrorists and terrorist agencies in Pakistan.
Honestly, this book was a difficult read for me. This is an in-depth look at Pakistani politics and terrorism, but I just didn't have the understanding/background to keep up with most of it. I did read the whole thing and there were things that I learned from the book:
*The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 and the CIA then spent the next 10 years training Afghanistan terrorists, supplying weapons, and providing propaganda to encourage them to fight the "infidel" communists. This book makes the case that much of this training, weaponry, and propaganda was later turned against the U.S. and that many of the terrorists now trying to destroy the U.S. were actually created by the U.S.
*This book explained how the Taliban takes control in an area. First, the border regions between Pakistan and Afghanistan are mostly lawless, occupied by lots of individual tribes, and not well controlled by the government. So the Taliban comes in and starts putting in order. People appreciate finally seeing some justice. Then the Taliban takes control and imposes their strict religious code, but by the time the people realize what freedoms they have given up it is too late.
*This book gives a clear and heartbreaking picture of what has happened to Pakistan as a result of the Afghan war. As the allies have pushed terrorists out of Afghanistan, they have pushed them into Pakistan. The book gives many statistics and examples of how the violence has escalated. For example, there were no suicide bombings before 2001, but since then they have become commonplace.
*The book also talks briefly about the process of recruiting and training suicide bombers and I found this enlightening.
I said already that this book was difficult for me because I didn't have enough of a background. There were at least two specific things that would have been helpful for the book to explain:
*I still don't understand what made the terrorists change from allies of the U.S. that were fighting the communists to hating the U.S. This book talks about some perceptions that fuel anti-American sentiment, including beliefs that (1) the Americans want to occupy Pakistan and other middle eastern countries, basically that they are using the current conflicts as an excuse to grab land and resources, (2) that the western influences are corrupting the people and separating them from their Muslim beliefs and (3) that the Americans come in with their agenda and expect countries such as Pakistan to help them with no consideration for what it costs the people of the country. This was very interesting and gave me some things to think about, but I still don't understand when/why the Americans first became the enemies.
*History of the conflict between Pakistan and India. I don't feel like the origins of the conflict between Pakistan and India was covered at all in the book, although recent events between the two countries were covered. This book gave me some insight into the volatility of the relations between the two countries and I find it positively terrifying that they both have nuclear weapons.
This was an advance copy and my book was missing pages 66 to 69. I read through the appendices and felt like they were very useful. The author goes through and describes by name the top terrorists and terrorist agencies in Pakistan.
October 29, 2012
A few years ago a French newsmagazine also labeled Pakistan as the ‘Most Dangerous Country on the Planet’. The bleak portrait painted in this book bears this out.
After many years of supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan from their FATA region, these religious fanatics have boomeranged back into Pakistan with a vengeance. They have literally become a Frankenstein that has returned to devastate their creator.
The FATA territories are a free-for-all area between Pakistan and Afghanistan. They are technically part of Pakistan but are a separate legal entity. As Mr. Gul explains in his book there are several independent religious groups vying for power in the different agencies (provinces) of FATA. They have metastasized from the Afghan Taliban to form their own groups. They are now even causing havoc in Pakistan proper as they are trying to install their power base of intolerance in urban areas.
The Pakistan army has tried over the last few years to dislodge the militants from their various strongholds in FATA with varying degrees of success. Mr. Gul qualifies these ‘victories’ in different agencies as factions migrant from one area to another or may form temporary peace accords and try to regroup. But the Pakistan army, at great cost, has managed to kill several leaders and has crippled some of the militant groups.
FATA is an extremely remote and rugged terrain with a porous boundary to Afghanistan. Many tribes can legally move between the two countries. For decades FATA has been ignored and forgotten by the Pakistani government, except as a thru-way to Afghanistan. There is poverty and illiteracy. The religious militants have flourished in this atmosphere. Parallel states have developed – there are in fact several parallel states in some agencies – the Taliban aligned with Al Qaeda, drug lords and the alleged government whose members cannot even reside in their constituencies due to death threats or actual murders, kidnappings…
The Pakistani army and government have an uphill battle to rid this land of these medieval religious tyrants and to establish an effective law and order government that will provide an effective education for boys and girls. Only then will the world be safe from this collection of pariah states within Pakistan. Towards the end the author offers a glimmer of hope because there is now more trust and cooperation between the Pakistani government and army and the new U.S. administration of President Obama.
Perhaps another glimmer of hope is that in the areas controlled by the religious groups the brutality and intolerance is so extreme it is hard to understand how such regimes can last, but this is Pakistan where life has become subverted by religion.
The author does an excellent review of the conditions in the agencies of FATA and how change has occurred since 9/11. This book gives a complete picture of all the competing groups in this vitally important area of the world.
After many years of supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan from their FATA region, these religious fanatics have boomeranged back into Pakistan with a vengeance. They have literally become a Frankenstein that has returned to devastate their creator.
The FATA territories are a free-for-all area between Pakistan and Afghanistan. They are technically part of Pakistan but are a separate legal entity. As Mr. Gul explains in his book there are several independent religious groups vying for power in the different agencies (provinces) of FATA. They have metastasized from the Afghan Taliban to form their own groups. They are now even causing havoc in Pakistan proper as they are trying to install their power base of intolerance in urban areas.
The Pakistan army has tried over the last few years to dislodge the militants from their various strongholds in FATA with varying degrees of success. Mr. Gul qualifies these ‘victories’ in different agencies as factions migrant from one area to another or may form temporary peace accords and try to regroup. But the Pakistan army, at great cost, has managed to kill several leaders and has crippled some of the militant groups.
FATA is an extremely remote and rugged terrain with a porous boundary to Afghanistan. Many tribes can legally move between the two countries. For decades FATA has been ignored and forgotten by the Pakistani government, except as a thru-way to Afghanistan. There is poverty and illiteracy. The religious militants have flourished in this atmosphere. Parallel states have developed – there are in fact several parallel states in some agencies – the Taliban aligned with Al Qaeda, drug lords and the alleged government whose members cannot even reside in their constituencies due to death threats or actual murders, kidnappings…
The Pakistani army and government have an uphill battle to rid this land of these medieval religious tyrants and to establish an effective law and order government that will provide an effective education for boys and girls. Only then will the world be safe from this collection of pariah states within Pakistan. Towards the end the author offers a glimmer of hope because there is now more trust and cooperation between the Pakistani government and army and the new U.S. administration of President Obama.
Perhaps another glimmer of hope is that in the areas controlled by the religious groups the brutality and intolerance is so extreme it is hard to understand how such regimes can last, but this is Pakistan where life has become subverted by religion.
The author does an excellent review of the conditions in the agencies of FATA and how change has occurred since 9/11. This book gives a complete picture of all the competing groups in this vitally important area of the world.
May 28, 2010
I won this book in the Giveaways, for which I am grateful, but frankly, I find it unreadable. This is "advance uncorrected proofs" which need a lot of correction - appalling to think that any editor, for instance, has allowed a plural with an apostrophe before the s.
Even more than this, however, is that there is no clear flow. In chapter 2 for instance there is a description of how Al Qaeda grew in importance, but one paragraph is highly specific about how Al Qaeda approached individual tribes, but then is followed with introductory info about how Al Qaeda has morphed into an international organization with quotes from an analyst, then back to specifics in Waziristan.
I do not know much about recent Pakistani history and I do want to know more about the rise of fundamentalist Islam there, and the relationship to Al Qaeda, but I'm not going to try to keep reading this book.
Even more than this, however, is that there is no clear flow. In chapter 2 for instance there is a description of how Al Qaeda grew in importance, but one paragraph is highly specific about how Al Qaeda approached individual tribes, but then is followed with introductory info about how Al Qaeda has morphed into an international organization with quotes from an analyst, then back to specifics in Waziristan.
I do not know much about recent Pakistani history and I do want to know more about the rise of fundamentalist Islam there, and the relationship to Al Qaeda, but I'm not going to try to keep reading this book.
January 12, 2013
If you want to understand the significance of Pakistan in today's "war on terror" Gul's book is a must. (This and Steve Coll's Ghost Wars provide a very clear picture of why we are in the situation we are today and why it all could have been avoided. ) The continuum of Pakistan's uneasy partnership with the West and its ongoing distrust are explored from the days of the Soviet Union's misadventure in Afghanistan to today's nuclear reality. The book provides well researched journalism from someone who has intimate knowledge of the socio political landscape of Pakistan, its military and its relationship with Afghanistan. Highly recommended.
May 29, 2010
Won through Goodreads Giveaways...
My husband and I read this but he has the better viewpoint due to his military experience. I found it very interesting. My husband loved it and thought that it was amazing. He told me that it really hits a lot of truths about what's going on in the region. I applaud Imtiaz for telling the truth many may not want to hear.
My husband and I read this but he has the better viewpoint due to his military experience. I found it very interesting. My husband loved it and thought that it was amazing. He told me that it really hits a lot of truths about what's going on in the region. I applaud Imtiaz for telling the truth many may not want to hear.
July 21, 2010
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway and it complemented my current military studies neatly. While reading about religious militants and the mire into which we've gotten ourselves in Afghanistan and Pakistan isn't my preferred reading topic, it does remind me that my life is very blessed indeed. And the plight of Pakistan seemed even more pertinent as Wikileaks makes a splash in the headlines today over the very same topic that the book presents. The complicity of Pakistan's Inter-Serive Intelligence (ISI) is exposed here as well, demonstrating the complicated relationships between the government and the people.
It's not a quick read - it often seems like a bunch of journal articles patched together, and it is complicated by the interconnections of the various groups, infighting among tribal and militant leaders and even the evolution of the factions. But it offers a fresh, local perspective on the danger that Pakistan and Afghanistan face, as well as the difficult path that the Pakistan government and Army must follow to establish and maintain a rule of law without dishonoring tribal authority, forming shady alliances and repressing human rights.
I thought it was insightful that the author acknowledges the irony that while senior military leaders state that they must be cautious, yet firm, about battling militant groups who perpetrate terrorist acts, most, if not all of the militants, have close ties to the government, intelligence service and even military.
While the concept of hirabah is not discussed, the author does mention that suicide bombs and wanton killing of innocent people is haram, or forbidden in Islam. But, this is also given a caveat:
"Generally, killing others by blowing one's self up is prohibited in Islam, but in particular circumstances you can't condemn such an act." and "Those attachs which are being carried out on a sectarian basis or against innocent people are completely un-Islamic, Islam doesn't permit them. But if these are carried out to achieve major goals, for instance, to defeat evil powers or their puppets, then one can't oppose it straight away." (p.136)
Appendices in the back offer a summary of the various personalities and groups profiled in the book - it's a who's who in the zoo that was impossible for me to keep straight, but serves as a good reference.
While Greg Mortenson's books offer hope and show the efforts of those who want to make a better life for the generations to come, they are couched in the reality of a dangerous and volatile environment that does not show any sign of improving soon. This book, however, doesn't offer too much hope, although a few vignettes show that parents still try to look out for their children. One father is even forced to move away from his village in order to pull his son away from a training camp and protect his son from the fate of becoming a suicide bomber.
"But scores of youngsters, recruited from across the country, have simply lost their lives and souls to the jihadi parties; most could netiher be rescued nor extricated from the ideological web that had been spun around them." (p.127)
There are a few editorial comments sprinkled throughout the book, although for the most part, the author acts as an objective reporter of what he sees and hears. Two of his editorial comments, I thought, were particularly poignant:
"Why General Petraeus and Vice President Biden think this [bombing Pakistan's cities:] is a good idea, as they do, reportedly, I cannot for the life of me tell you. I think it is a way to wreak further havoc n the region and do fundamental damage to the United States." (p. 158)
"While reprogramming robots will take minutes or hours, changing human minds groomed in a certain environment for a particular cause may require years. That is why the best recipe for achieving this objective rests in befriending the institution rather than antagonizing it. Most senior ISI officials are aware that there is no away (sic) around reform. The United States and its allies can probably best cultivate these officials through friendly diplomacy rather than imposing demands." (p.178)
America's motives for her actions in Pakistan and Afghanistan are quite suspect in the region. People in Pakistan will go so far as to say "...the United States is actually financing some of the Taliban factions. The point is to tie down the Pakistani Army, they say, leaving the way open for the Americans to grab Pakistan's nuclear weapons." (p.188) Obviously our attempts at shoring up our image overseas is falling short.
One interesting comment from India, following a airplane hijacking, alledgedly by Pakistani militants. The senior representative stated "We will absorb what you have done to us. But you will not be able to absorb what we might do to you. (p. 193)
I found several grammatical and syntax errors in the book and as this was an advance, uncorrected proof, I assume they will be edited as the book gets published, but will offer them here as my attempt to help the author improve his book.
p. 36 - 3rd para., 9th line: "...powder - the sum to the caused a massive blast,..." (recommend removing the words, "to the")
p. 37 - 4th & 5th para., last sentence/first sentence: "...which is surrounded..." is repeated. (recommend deleting one)
p. 38 - 4th para., 2nd line: "...how Pakistan got here the socio historical..." (recommend adding a ";" after "got here")
p. 46 - 1st para., 8th line: "...and are well equipped for casualties, injured militants are..." (recommend replacing comma with a semi-colon)
p. 108 - 2nd para., 8th line: "Their husbands were verbally aloud and knocked alert but were then allowed to escort..." (not sure what you meant by the first part of the sentence)
p. 137 - 4th para., 5th line: "legitimate tactic's" (should be tactics, without an apostrophe)
p. 178 - 4th para., 11th line: "...there is no away around reform." (change "away" to "way")
p. 202 - 2nd para., 4th line: "At the end of our last session, admitted in frustration..." (who? the author or the friend?)
new words: tenterhooks, obscurantism
It's not a quick read - it often seems like a bunch of journal articles patched together, and it is complicated by the interconnections of the various groups, infighting among tribal and militant leaders and even the evolution of the factions. But it offers a fresh, local perspective on the danger that Pakistan and Afghanistan face, as well as the difficult path that the Pakistan government and Army must follow to establish and maintain a rule of law without dishonoring tribal authority, forming shady alliances and repressing human rights.
I thought it was insightful that the author acknowledges the irony that while senior military leaders state that they must be cautious, yet firm, about battling militant groups who perpetrate terrorist acts, most, if not all of the militants, have close ties to the government, intelligence service and even military.
While the concept of hirabah is not discussed, the author does mention that suicide bombs and wanton killing of innocent people is haram, or forbidden in Islam. But, this is also given a caveat:
"Generally, killing others by blowing one's self up is prohibited in Islam, but in particular circumstances you can't condemn such an act." and "Those attachs which are being carried out on a sectarian basis or against innocent people are completely un-Islamic, Islam doesn't permit them. But if these are carried out to achieve major goals, for instance, to defeat evil powers or their puppets, then one can't oppose it straight away." (p.136)
Appendices in the back offer a summary of the various personalities and groups profiled in the book - it's a who's who in the zoo that was impossible for me to keep straight, but serves as a good reference.
While Greg Mortenson's books offer hope and show the efforts of those who want to make a better life for the generations to come, they are couched in the reality of a dangerous and volatile environment that does not show any sign of improving soon. This book, however, doesn't offer too much hope, although a few vignettes show that parents still try to look out for their children. One father is even forced to move away from his village in order to pull his son away from a training camp and protect his son from the fate of becoming a suicide bomber.
"But scores of youngsters, recruited from across the country, have simply lost their lives and souls to the jihadi parties; most could netiher be rescued nor extricated from the ideological web that had been spun around them." (p.127)
There are a few editorial comments sprinkled throughout the book, although for the most part, the author acts as an objective reporter of what he sees and hears. Two of his editorial comments, I thought, were particularly poignant:
"Why General Petraeus and Vice President Biden think this [bombing Pakistan's cities:] is a good idea, as they do, reportedly, I cannot for the life of me tell you. I think it is a way to wreak further havoc n the region and do fundamental damage to the United States." (p. 158)
"While reprogramming robots will take minutes or hours, changing human minds groomed in a certain environment for a particular cause may require years. That is why the best recipe for achieving this objective rests in befriending the institution rather than antagonizing it. Most senior ISI officials are aware that there is no away (sic) around reform. The United States and its allies can probably best cultivate these officials through friendly diplomacy rather than imposing demands." (p.178)
America's motives for her actions in Pakistan and Afghanistan are quite suspect in the region. People in Pakistan will go so far as to say "...the United States is actually financing some of the Taliban factions. The point is to tie down the Pakistani Army, they say, leaving the way open for the Americans to grab Pakistan's nuclear weapons." (p.188) Obviously our attempts at shoring up our image overseas is falling short.
One interesting comment from India, following a airplane hijacking, alledgedly by Pakistani militants. The senior representative stated "We will absorb what you have done to us. But you will not be able to absorb what we might do to you. (p. 193)
I found several grammatical and syntax errors in the book and as this was an advance, uncorrected proof, I assume they will be edited as the book gets published, but will offer them here as my attempt to help the author improve his book.
p. 36 - 3rd para., 9th line: "...powder - the sum to the caused a massive blast,..." (recommend removing the words, "to the")
p. 37 - 4th & 5th para., last sentence/first sentence: "...which is surrounded..." is repeated. (recommend deleting one)
p. 38 - 4th para., 2nd line: "...how Pakistan got here the socio historical..." (recommend adding a ";" after "got here")
p. 46 - 1st para., 8th line: "...and are well equipped for casualties, injured militants are..." (recommend replacing comma with a semi-colon)
p. 108 - 2nd para., 8th line: "Their husbands were verbally aloud and knocked alert but were then allowed to escort..." (not sure what you meant by the first part of the sentence)
p. 137 - 4th para., 5th line: "legitimate tactic's" (should be tactics, without an apostrophe)
p. 178 - 4th para., 11th line: "...there is no away around reform." (change "away" to "way")
p. 202 - 2nd para., 4th line: "At the end of our last session, admitted in frustration..." (who? the author or the friend?)
new words: tenterhooks, obscurantism
June 12, 2012
Don't mistake this book for a popular history -- Imtiaz Gul's short but fact-packed book about the recent history and current state of the Afghan/Pakistan frontier is more of a reference than a read. As a list of the players and an overview of the state of play in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas, it can't be beat - though the fluidity of the current situation will likely date the book quickly. But I found plowing through the author's dry presentation a challenge.
Gul's underlying theme, if theme there be (as I said, this is more of a reference than a story), is that American distrust in Pakistan's commitment to battling Taliban and Al Qaeda enemies sheltering in Pakistan, while once founded, is no longer justified. He points to increasing Pakistani military response to local militants, and to Taliban attacks on Pakistani authorities, as evidence that whatever relationships may once have been between Islamic fundamentalists and the Pakistan government, they have now soured to the point that Americans can count on Pakistani help fighting militants within its borders. He makes a persuasive case in some respects -- Pakistan can hardly be expected to put up with attacks on its soldiers and policemen -- but cannot dispel all doubt, since he records a number of truces made between Pakistan and Taliban elements based on their promise not to attack the institutions of Pakistan. This leaves such elements with the option of crossing the porous border to Afghanistan and attacking Western elements there, using Pakistan as a base.
But mostly, this is a list of FATA areas, the fundamentalists most active in them, their leaders, their relations with each other, and their likely sources of funding and support. I'm glad I read it, even though I found Gul's blocks of information hard to absorb: I'm now familiar enough with the contents that the next time I need to find out something about Pakistan's FATA or its response to Al Qaeda infiltration, I'll know to reach for "The Most Dangerous Place" and have the facts at my fingertips.
The book is an expose on the players, small and large, who have turned the border areas between Paksitan and Afghanistan into a lawless badland. Imtiaz has spared no detail, and sloughing through can be rather hard at times. The book would make an excellent read and reference for a State Department or intelligence operative working in this area. Still, the pace and depth are that of a newspaper article. While Imtiaz compiles and identfies all the factors that has made this region a breeding ground of evil, we can never get a clear picture of who is ultimately responsible for this mess. There is no hierarchy, no loyalty, and certainly no sense in much of it. Though he supposedly asks point blank to the gunmen he encounters why they do what they do and beyond money and vendettas, what makes so many people choose such a destructive lifestyle, he does not get a clear answer, nor do we. Clearly ISI of Pakistan had major responsibility in getting the ball rolling, and the role USA played in the creation of Taliban against the Soviets should be ackowledged. At this point though, the enterpirse seems to be self-sustaining and has turned on to its old masters. Imtiaz smartly refrains from making policy recommendations in the end.
Gul's underlying theme, if theme there be (as I said, this is more of a reference than a story), is that American distrust in Pakistan's commitment to battling Taliban and Al Qaeda enemies sheltering in Pakistan, while once founded, is no longer justified. He points to increasing Pakistani military response to local militants, and to Taliban attacks on Pakistani authorities, as evidence that whatever relationships may once have been between Islamic fundamentalists and the Pakistan government, they have now soured to the point that Americans can count on Pakistani help fighting militants within its borders. He makes a persuasive case in some respects -- Pakistan can hardly be expected to put up with attacks on its soldiers and policemen -- but cannot dispel all doubt, since he records a number of truces made between Pakistan and Taliban elements based on their promise not to attack the institutions of Pakistan. This leaves such elements with the option of crossing the porous border to Afghanistan and attacking Western elements there, using Pakistan as a base.
But mostly, this is a list of FATA areas, the fundamentalists most active in them, their leaders, their relations with each other, and their likely sources of funding and support. I'm glad I read it, even though I found Gul's blocks of information hard to absorb: I'm now familiar enough with the contents that the next time I need to find out something about Pakistan's FATA or its response to Al Qaeda infiltration, I'll know to reach for "The Most Dangerous Place" and have the facts at my fingertips.
The book is an expose on the players, small and large, who have turned the border areas between Paksitan and Afghanistan into a lawless badland. Imtiaz has spared no detail, and sloughing through can be rather hard at times. The book would make an excellent read and reference for a State Department or intelligence operative working in this area. Still, the pace and depth are that of a newspaper article. While Imtiaz compiles and identfies all the factors that has made this region a breeding ground of evil, we can never get a clear picture of who is ultimately responsible for this mess. There is no hierarchy, no loyalty, and certainly no sense in much of it. Though he supposedly asks point blank to the gunmen he encounters why they do what they do and beyond money and vendettas, what makes so many people choose such a destructive lifestyle, he does not get a clear answer, nor do we. Clearly ISI of Pakistan had major responsibility in getting the ball rolling, and the role USA played in the creation of Taliban against the Soviets should be ackowledged. At this point though, the enterpirse seems to be self-sustaining and has turned on to its old masters. Imtiaz smartly refrains from making policy recommendations in the end.
June 30, 2017
There is no doubt that Imtiaz Gul has done immense research on lawless and inhospitable seven North-Western tribal agencies of Pakistan which are lumped together into Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and parts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province.
He gives a brief overview of these regions which are a hotbed of terrorism in Pakistan and Afghanistan as geographically speaking these regions are a haven for the Taliban and Al-Qaeda and the porous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan adds another insult to the injury.
I learned a great deal about FATA about which very few people know and in his brief overview of these regions, Gul provides considerable information about the administration, security apparatus, legal system which comprises of the draconian Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR), a century-old legacy of the Britishers and the role of the appointed civilian bureaucrat called Political Agent who wields dictatorial powers under FCR and provides liaison between the agencies and the Federal Government. Moreover, Gul also tells the readers about the social system and the dire need for the reforms from the indigenous people of FATA to become full-fledged citizens of Pakistan.
Furthermore, he describes in great detail about how Taliban infiltrated this tribal belt and formed their own notorious de facto state in these areas including idyllic Swat district of KPK. Consequently, the political maneuvers and military operations accompanied by the effective drone strikes which were taken against this spreading cancer to bring these areas under the writ of the government which also includes the sacrifices made by the political workers of particularly the Awami National Party (ANP).
Similarly, the chapter on suicide bombings is very informative in which he tells us how these became an effective tool of these non-state actors and how their numbers significantly increased to cause immense chaos in the country.
Gul has also written a chapter on how these militants get funded in which he describes all avenues of funding which range from mere zakat donations; kidnapping for ransom; poppy cultivations and coordination with the drug barons and timber mafia.
In the end, he also provides brief profiles of the famous Pakistani militants and organizations which are enough to familiarize one with them and the famous militant organizations.
I would recommend this book to those who would like to familiarize themselves with FATA and its surroundings.
He gives a brief overview of these regions which are a hotbed of terrorism in Pakistan and Afghanistan as geographically speaking these regions are a haven for the Taliban and Al-Qaeda and the porous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan adds another insult to the injury.
I learned a great deal about FATA about which very few people know and in his brief overview of these regions, Gul provides considerable information about the administration, security apparatus, legal system which comprises of the draconian Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR), a century-old legacy of the Britishers and the role of the appointed civilian bureaucrat called Political Agent who wields dictatorial powers under FCR and provides liaison between the agencies and the Federal Government. Moreover, Gul also tells the readers about the social system and the dire need for the reforms from the indigenous people of FATA to become full-fledged citizens of Pakistan.
Furthermore, he describes in great detail about how Taliban infiltrated this tribal belt and formed their own notorious de facto state in these areas including idyllic Swat district of KPK. Consequently, the political maneuvers and military operations accompanied by the effective drone strikes which were taken against this spreading cancer to bring these areas under the writ of the government which also includes the sacrifices made by the political workers of particularly the Awami National Party (ANP).
Similarly, the chapter on suicide bombings is very informative in which he tells us how these became an effective tool of these non-state actors and how their numbers significantly increased to cause immense chaos in the country.
Gul has also written a chapter on how these militants get funded in which he describes all avenues of funding which range from mere zakat donations; kidnapping for ransom; poppy cultivations and coordination with the drug barons and timber mafia.
In the end, he also provides brief profiles of the famous Pakistani militants and organizations which are enough to familiarize one with them and the famous militant organizations.
I would recommend this book to those who would like to familiarize themselves with FATA and its surroundings.
June 3, 2010
OK, so having initially cracked the cover a few weeks ago, I neglected this one a bit while I finished re-reading a favorite fantasy series. I'm weak, what can I say? That's not to imply that The Most Dangerous Place: Pakistan's Lawless Frontierdoesn't have plenty to recommend it.
The book is remarkly timely, detailed, and closer to an insider perspective than most of what's out there. Like a good book should, it asks us to think and cautions against any simplistic notions of the "war on terror."
Here, for example, is some food for thought from the preface:
"In 2009, militants staged almost ninety suicide attaqcks and carried out another five hundred bombings and ambushes [in Pakistan:], killing over three thousand people."
"Between January 14, 2006, and April 8, 2009, CIA-operated Predators and drones conducted some sixty-one cross-border strikes. Only ten of these hit their actual targets, killing fourteen Al Qaeda leaders. In all, the drones took the lives of over seven hundred Pakistani civilians."
The preface goes on to describe how even "successful" interventions by Pakistani military have caused humanitarian crises due to the volume of refugees and to quote White House spokesman Robert Gibbs' cautionary pronouncement that "Solutions involving security in Pakistan don't include less democrarcy and less human rights" -- while offering no solutions.
How did we get here (and will knowing this help us get out)? Those are the questions asked in the rest of the book.
The book is remarkly timely, detailed, and closer to an insider perspective than most of what's out there. Like a good book should, it asks us to think and cautions against any simplistic notions of the "war on terror."
Here, for example, is some food for thought from the preface:
"In 2009, militants staged almost ninety suicide attaqcks and carried out another five hundred bombings and ambushes [in Pakistan:], killing over three thousand people."
"Between January 14, 2006, and April 8, 2009, CIA-operated Predators and drones conducted some sixty-one cross-border strikes. Only ten of these hit their actual targets, killing fourteen Al Qaeda leaders. In all, the drones took the lives of over seven hundred Pakistani civilians."
The preface goes on to describe how even "successful" interventions by Pakistani military have caused humanitarian crises due to the volume of refugees and to quote White House spokesman Robert Gibbs' cautionary pronouncement that "Solutions involving security in Pakistan don't include less democrarcy and less human rights" -- while offering no solutions.
How did we get here (and will knowing this help us get out)? Those are the questions asked in the rest of the book.
August 16, 2013
Good in some ways, fair in others. If geopolitics is your game, this is a good book. If you're a scholar of political science, the subcontinent, or the Taliban, this is a good book. My number one takeaway is that the situation is more fluid and subtle than I realized.
The book does have its faults. From my perspective it's like studying the sex life of the amoeba. Or it can be condensed into one concise statement: a bunch of jerks live in the area so don't go there. There is poor reasoning at times, such as the use of the term Indoamerican, in order to give life to an alignment that never existed. Why even bring up an Indo-Israel-American axis of evil?
How about this statement: "...aftermath of 9/11, which once again sucked the ISI into the Afghan..." insurgency. To which I respond, "Sucked in? They CREATED the insurgency!" Or "... who briefly ruled Pakistan from 1969 to 1971. " That isn't brief. "The ISI... for the terror networks that have taken root in Afghanistan." Uh, no. The networks didn't just appear out of the void. This one is almost a tautology: "...perpetual imbalance in the civilian/military equation continues to distort the political landscape." So at times, it is unclear to me whether Mr. Gul is explaining or justifying.
I feel sorry for the author as well. There is a hopeful message about the Pakistan and US armed forces cooperating more, but this was obviously before OBL got iced and his harem got the bum's rush. Who woulda thunk it.
In short, good for some, glazed eyes for others, Americans need to know about the area but Mr. Gul's other work might be a better vehicle.
The book does have its faults. From my perspective it's like studying the sex life of the amoeba. Or it can be condensed into one concise statement: a bunch of jerks live in the area so don't go there. There is poor reasoning at times, such as the use of the term Indoamerican, in order to give life to an alignment that never existed. Why even bring up an Indo-Israel-American axis of evil?
How about this statement: "...aftermath of 9/11, which once again sucked the ISI into the Afghan..." insurgency. To which I respond, "Sucked in? They CREATED the insurgency!" Or "... who briefly ruled Pakistan from 1969 to 1971. " That isn't brief. "The ISI... for the terror networks that have taken root in Afghanistan." Uh, no. The networks didn't just appear out of the void. This one is almost a tautology: "...perpetual imbalance in the civilian/military equation continues to distort the political landscape." So at times, it is unclear to me whether Mr. Gul is explaining or justifying.
I feel sorry for the author as well. There is a hopeful message about the Pakistan and US armed forces cooperating more, but this was obviously before OBL got iced and his harem got the bum's rush. Who woulda thunk it.
In short, good for some, glazed eyes for others, Americans need to know about the area but Mr. Gul's other work might be a better vehicle.
January 30, 2016
Actual Rating: 3.5/5
Throughout the book, it was evident that the author has done a lot of research and has a lot of information about his subject matter. Another good thing about the book is that its quite well-written, especially the chapter on Suicide Bombing, which was my favourite, and is the reason I gave this book an additional 0.5 star.
Unfortunately, the book does not have a clear organisational structure. Gul gets lost amongst the details and the facts, which could've made this book brilliant. It almost feels like he starts the book intending to write about one thing, but loses track and eventually ends up on a completely different lane. Another problem is the first half of the book which is a task to get through. It is extremely dense, especially the preface, with Gul just throwing in as many facts, names and numbers as he can, with little to no analysis of any of the events.
This book could've been so much better!! I was excited when I read the subject matter, but the book was a let-down. He should've put less effort into naming the members and functions of the 500 different terrorist organisations and more effort into focussing on his own interpretation of events.
Throughout the book, it was evident that the author has done a lot of research and has a lot of information about his subject matter. Another good thing about the book is that its quite well-written, especially the chapter on Suicide Bombing, which was my favourite, and is the reason I gave this book an additional 0.5 star.
Unfortunately, the book does not have a clear organisational structure. Gul gets lost amongst the details and the facts, which could've made this book brilliant. It almost feels like he starts the book intending to write about one thing, but loses track and eventually ends up on a completely different lane. Another problem is the first half of the book which is a task to get through. It is extremely dense, especially the preface, with Gul just throwing in as many facts, names and numbers as he can, with little to no analysis of any of the events.
This book could've been so much better!! I was excited when I read the subject matter, but the book was a let-down. He should've put less effort into naming the members and functions of the 500 different terrorist organisations and more effort into focussing on his own interpretation of events.
May 28, 2010
This book is certainly the best I've read on the current situation in Pakistan, how it got that way, and why it got that way. The author does a phenomenal job of accurately portraying both the US and Pakistan military and government perspectives, priorities, and thinking. He does not subscribe to conspiracy theories, but acknowledges them and attempts to explain why people may think that way. He does not allow emotion to cloud or bias his writing and does not seem to favor one side or the other. I think that this book does an excellent job of portraying both Pakistan and the US in a positive light, while pointing out many of the key factors that need to be understood, and at the same time highlighting the mistakes and misunderstandings that frequently occur from both parties.
I have been very frustrated with many books and articles on this same topic written by both American and Pakistani writers because they are one-sided, inaccurate, or not well researched. I was presently surprised and satisfied throughout this entire book.
I have been very frustrated with many books and articles on this same topic written by both American and Pakistani writers because they are one-sided, inaccurate, or not well researched. I was presently surprised and satisfied throughout this entire book.
May 28, 2010
Disclaimer - The book I read is an advanced uncorrected proof which I received as a giveaway on Goodreads.
I learned a lot about Pakistan from this book, which I appreciated because I didn't know much about it before. However, it took me two months to get through this book (which is a lot for me). It is written like an extended newspaper article and includes a lot of very forgettable names. I felt like I was missing a good dumbed-down overview and instead got a lot of details.
I found the uncorrected proof to have a lot of careless and obvious mistakes, which I hope are fixed in the final version. I would have liked to hear more about the author's personal experiences rather than just reading some quotations that were given to him.
I would recommend this book to someone who needs information on Pakistan for school/work/research purposes, but not for someone looking for a fun read to learn a little more.
I learned a lot about Pakistan from this book, which I appreciated because I didn't know much about it before. However, it took me two months to get through this book (which is a lot for me). It is written like an extended newspaper article and includes a lot of very forgettable names. I felt like I was missing a good dumbed-down overview and instead got a lot of details.
I found the uncorrected proof to have a lot of careless and obvious mistakes, which I hope are fixed in the final version. I would have liked to hear more about the author's personal experiences rather than just reading some quotations that were given to him.
I would recommend this book to someone who needs information on Pakistan for school/work/research purposes, but not for someone looking for a fun read to learn a little more.
December 29, 2010
Gul is one of Pakistan's leading journalists and commentators and has been writing about Islamists groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan for more than 20 years. In this information-packed book, Gul delves deeply into what makes Pakistan's Northwest frontier provinces (Swat Valley, the Northwest Federally administered tribal areas, etc.) "the most dangerous place in the world." The chaos, the multiple competing militant groups and above all, the Pakistani Taliban, have kept Pakistan on the edge of chaos for years. As Gul makes abundantly clear, it will likely sit on that edge and possibly slide off for a number of years to come. This is a dense book and would not recommend you pick it up and read it if it is the first book you are going to read about Pakistan. But if you are a wonk like me, it was a fascinating (and frightening) read.
June 8, 2010
Disclaimer - The book I read is an advanced uncorrected proof which I received for free.
The book gets its title from a speech President Obama made on March, 2009: "For the American people, this border region has become the most dangerous place in the world,"
This scrupulous coverage of Pakistan was written by the knowledgeable Imtiaz Gul. The author does not only quote reference material but also an array of impressive personas he personally spoke to. For me, the element of personal knowledge gave this book immense credibility and I ultimately viewed the author's insights as expert opinions.
See the rest of the review at: http://manoflabook.blogspot.com/2010/...
The book gets its title from a speech President Obama made on March, 2009: "For the American people, this border region has become the most dangerous place in the world,"
This scrupulous coverage of Pakistan was written by the knowledgeable Imtiaz Gul. The author does not only quote reference material but also an array of impressive personas he personally spoke to. For me, the element of personal knowledge gave this book immense credibility and I ultimately viewed the author's insights as expert opinions.
See the rest of the review at: http://manoflabook.blogspot.com/2010/...
May 28, 2010
I thought this book was really good. I learned about Pakistan and the mujhdeen in my world cultures class in school. I'm glad i paid attention otherwise i would have no idea what have of the words meant. I think it's really sad that they would kidnap children to train them to become suicide bombers. I'm just happy that one of the children pulled out with the help of his father.
I also watched a movie about Pakistan and it had a ton of stories about suicide bombers. I can't remember the girl's name of who was the first women suicide bomber. In the movie, however, a ton of the other girls wanted to be just like that other girls..... i think its just really sad
I also watched a movie about Pakistan and it had a ton of stories about suicide bombers. I can't remember the girl's name of who was the first women suicide bomber. In the movie, however, a ton of the other girls wanted to be just like that other girls..... i think its just really sad
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2013
Gul clarifies the tenuous relationship Pakistan has with surrounding countries, internal tribal conflicts and the U.S. While he's able to identify the roots of these complicated relationships, his chapters often introduce complicated situations and relationships without their clarification, which comes in the second half of the chapter -creating some initial confusion and a need for constant review of previous pages (which does work will in relation with a great index of the various Taliban factions, and the regional map), which creates a slow read.
October 9, 2011
Ok, this book contains such important information about our "ally" Pakistan and its role in financing and abetting anti western terrorism an nuclear proliferation, that it would be almost impossible for any sane person not to call for the liquidation of Pakistan. The sad thing is the book is horribly written and quite a slog to fight through. I still gave it 3 stars due to it's important content.
December 13, 2013
Excellent! Imtiaz does a great job in explaining the history of Pakistan's most troubled, lawless region. The dynamics that exist there make it easy to understand why terrorists, extremists and criminals can find safe haven in this part of the country. The interviews with US diplomats, retired and serving Pakistan Army officials and politicians made the entire analysis much stronger.
A must read if you want to understand Pakistan's history with militant groups.
A must read if you want to understand Pakistan's history with militant groups.
May 28, 2010
I'm sorry, I just couldn't finish this book. I felt like I was supposed to have come in with all this knowledge that I just didn't have, and I had a hard time following what the book was telling me. I may try again later though. The topic was interesting, I just couldn't keep my facts organized well enough to keep going.
Won through the goodreads giveaway.
Won through the goodreads giveaway.
May 29, 2011
A very good read, educates you about the problems Pakistan is facing in the North-West and FATA regions. The author breaks down all the terrorist groups operating from these areas brilliantly, explaining everything from how they recruit to their funding. And the chapter on the role of the ISI in all this is explained very well.
May 27, 2013
Informative but not well organized. In the first couple chapters I was more optimistic with the journalistic vignettes and mix of interviews, analysis, and history. But the rest of the book fluttered on rather dully. Yet it was convincing and prescient, aside from the general optimism with which the author views the US-Pakistan alliance in the end.
May 22, 2015
This book is an excellent reference if you already have some background of the insurgency in the Pakistani tribal area. Without the background it might not make a lot of sense.
Understanding in depth the complex issues of FATA and Pakistani states challenge in establishing its writ in the area was interesting
Understanding in depth the complex issues of FATA and Pakistani states challenge in establishing its writ in the area was interesting
Read
May 25, 2010I feel like an idiot, the author has kindly included a guide to who's who in the back of the book. Informative and interesting. I learned more about Pakistan than I ever knew before. It looks as though Pakistan will be our next battleground.
Did Not Finish
May 31, 2010I've tried to start this book a couple of times and right now, I just can't seem to get into it. I'm thinking maybe once my boyfriend gets back from his deployment I can start reading it. But as for now, it will remain on my tbr shelf.
June 9, 2010
An eye opening read about the goings on in Pakistan. It's truly a wonderment to me about how little Americans know about the world. The "World News" should be called the "American News with snippits of foreign news". Mr. Gul did a great job with this book.
May 28, 2010
Happy to see I won this giveaway.............exactly my type of book!
September 20, 2010
Surprising to read a book written by a Pakistani which is so critical of the Pakistani government and its role in supporting terrorism....
Want to Read
December 11, 2010Early chapters seem promising.
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