Paperback review: Pakistan on the Brink, By Ahmed Rashid

 

Arifa Akbar
Friday 22 March 2013 16:50 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

This serious-minded book – not as fatalistic as its title – is just as much about Afghanistan as it is about Pakistan.

Its central argument revolves around the belief that while this beleaguered nation is teetering on the edge of a precipice, the situation is salvageable. For Rashid, this is also the case for Afganistan.

Holding Turkey up as an example of how a previously volatile state can turn itself around, he thinks Pakistan can do the same if it lets go of its paranoia, while Afghanistan’s solution is a regional one.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in