Among U.S. allies in the war against terrorism, Pakistan cannot be easily characterized as either friend or foe. Nuclear-armed Pakistan is an important center of radical Islamic ideas and groups.
Because of its cooperation with the United States since 9/11, Pakistan is thought to be ready to give up its longstanding ties with radical Islam. But its status as an ideological Islamic state is closely linked with the Pakistani elite's worldview and the praetorian ambitions of its military. This book analyzes the relationships between Islamist groups and Pakistan's military. Tracing how the military has sought U.S. support by making itself useful for concerns of the moment--while continuing to strengthen the mosque-military alliance within Pakistan--Haqqani offers an alternative view of political developments since the country's independence in 1947.
