Of politico-diplomatic contemporaneity
The aforesaid two books have appeared in quick succession this year. Their subject matter is quite relevant, and contiguous too, to the prevailing politico-strategic and politico-diplomatic situation in our part of the world. Because of their thematic proximity, it was deemed advisable to review the pair together.
‘Pakistan’s Foreign Policy A Reappraisal’: Shahid M. Amin is a veteran Pakistani diplomat who often appears in media discussions on the country’s political and economic scenario, and has to his credit several publications on politics, diplomacy, and foreign affairs besides the present one.
It is the third edition (2000, 2010, and 2021 seriatim) of the book comprising eighteen chapters that elucidate themes like the rationale for Partition and peaceful co-existence, the first phase of India-pakistan relations, Pakistan’s quest for security, the India-pakistan Wars of 1965 and 1971, the resurgence of Pakistan after 1971, the Afghan problem, Pakistan’s multi-lateral diplomacy, Pakistan’s relations with the Islamic world (Turkey, KSA, Iran, Libya, Egypt, and others), Pak-china relations, a reappraisal of Indo-pak relations, learning from experience, the Kargil crisis, the OIC, Islamic world and the global politics, the Fall of the Soviet Union, the impact of the post 9/11 scenario on Pakistan’s foreign policy, and a cursory appraisal of Pakistan’s foreign policy between 2010 and 2020.
In the first edition of the book, the writer avers that foreign policy is often considered the first line of defence of any country. It is influenced by a country’s history and geography.
Ideology is yet another normative feature of our foreign policy in addition to the geostrategic location of the country. Dispelling the general impression that Pakistan’s foreign policy has always been dictated by the US, the writer argues that in reality Pakistan’s foreign policy ‘had always reflected the country’s preoccupations with India, and could not be described as subservient to the US’. However, around 1980 there was a resurgence of relations between
Pakistan and the US in the wake of the Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan, when they joined hands to neutralize this intervention. Earlier in the 1960’s, due to mutuality of interests augmented by a common concern for the growing Indian hostility to both countries, China came to stay as a pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
In the preface to the current (the 3rd) edition, the author argues that ‘the main contours of Pakistan’s foreign policy remained unchanged, which proved that foreign policy reflects national interests’ particularly ‘the search for security and economic welfare’ which are lasting in nature and do not necessarily connect to changes of governments. In August-2019 India’s unilateral termination of the special status granted to Kashmir under article 370 of the Indian Constitution, and its annexation of the occupied territory as a part of India has served to create an irreparable dent in the Indo-pak relations necessitating an emergent reappraisal of the country’s foreign policy so as to reinvigorate its tilt towards China and the Islamic Bloc (consisting of over fifty states) led by Saudi Arabia. So Pakistan’s international importance could hardly be gainsaid.
The author sees Pakistan as ‘a moderate, progressive and traditionally pro-west Muslim state that serves as a counter-balance to radical Islam. The West and many other states have a stake in keeping Pakistan afloat, since its weakening could destabilize a highly volatile area in the world’. He is of the considered opinion that the much-needed political stability could help the country reach an economic ‘take-off’ in the near future to uplift and improve its economy. Thus the author has discussed the formulation of Pakistan’s foreign policy from
a fresh angle. He has discussed its structural failures where necessary and calls for new thinking on its various aspects with special emphasis on Pak-india relations vis-à-vis Kashmir. He makes a strong plea for realism and moderation on the part of both nuclear states.
‘No-win War’
Zahid Hussain is a well known Pakistani journalist, political analyst, and author. Apart from some leading national TV channels, he also makes periodic appearances on BBC, CNN and Al-jazeera. He has written research papers for various journals, periodicals, and international think tanks, on regional conflicts, terrorism, and geopolitics.
The present book seeks to discuss the intricacies of the ongoing Afghan War (which he terms as a ‘no-win war’) in the context of ‘the paradox of Us-pakistan relations in Afghanistan’s shadow’. It also explores the post9/11 relations between the US and Pakistan besides explaining ‘implications’ for Afghanistan in the ‘war on terror’ while revisiting US and Pakistan’s foreign policy initiatives.
The book is spread over eighteen chapters with quasi-eponymous titles suggesting their meanings or implications: History Starts Today!, The Original Sin, The Fall and Rise of the Taliban, The Great Escape, Not-so-invisible War, Taming Pakistan: Shifting Sands in Washington, Democracy versus National Security, What’s Your Plan for Afghanistan?, Enemies Now, Midnight Raid, Relations on a Slippery Slope, Sorry, But ‘No’ Sorry, Talking to the Taliban, Storming the Witches’ Brew!, Death of Mullah Omar: Battle for Leadership, A Maverick in the White House, Shifting Sands of Afghanistan, and The Endgame.
Famed international political analysts Kathy Gannon, Anatol Lieven, and Ahmed Rashid have praised Zahid Hussain’s knowledge and analytical ability in regards to the prevailing politico-diplomatic situation in Afghanistan and his grasp of the Pakistan US relations. In the wake of the impending withdrawal of the foreign forces from Afghanistan, the author voices a mix of hope and fear on the prospects of peace in the wartorn region. ‘The hope is that some kind of lasting peace could be reached. The fear is that the expansion of Taliban influence could lead to a resurgence’ of their rule. ‘What will it be? Only time will tell.’ This is his speculation, though arguably modest.