Atlantic Community:Global Must Read Article "Pakistan Sees the United States as the Enemy"

Fareed Zakaria, the Washington Post | June 23, 2011

Once a disciplined and secular organization, Pakistan’s army has now been infiltrated at all levels by violent Islamists. ++ The military views the United States as “a hostile force trying to perpetuate a state of ‘controlled chaos’ in Pakistan.” ++ The army is “switching obsessions” with the United States replacing India as the primary enemy as strategy is replaced with Islamist ideology. ++ Pakistan has a choice: Take North Korea and Burma as role models, or crush the jihadists, join the global economy, reform society and become a democracy.

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Mon, Jun 27th 2011, 17:18

Amarjyoti Acharya

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One thanks Mr. Zakaria for an overview of the shifting sands in Pakistan. The role of religion in many areas of the world, including the NATO states, do point to a growing radicalization. Yet, as discursive practices that later impact structural orientations, the concern would be about discourses & practices (with the mass media as well as specialized media within academia, etc.) to recognize the importance they play - in shaping imaginations as well as views. The dynamics of South Asia do present a concern that, as Mr. Zakaria notes, lies well beyond today. The issue is not merely of the demonization of particular segments, but a certain historicity of religious confrontations that seem to be played upon ad nausem. The concern could be less over a us & them scenario - since no monoliths have emerged in either imagined divisons and by itself is a dangerous precedent of a thought (though considered ok by many when seeking certain manipulations). The notions of a situation of 'controlled chaos' however need to be examined very closely. If a billiard ball state emerges that has a predominantly religious filter in place, it becomes crucial to comprehend the strategic implications of a spartan state as well as the compulsions over self-preservation that may give birth to such entities. Including the crucial issue that holds strategic salience: Pakistan is an Islamic state and always has been. What is it that we are seeing as new here?