Introduction 1. The Nature of Pakistan and its Internal Challenges 2. Pakistan after 9/11: Where did it stand? 3. Internal Conflicts: Pakistan’s Tribal Belt; Afghanistan; Baluchistan 4. Pakistan’s other neighbours Conclusion: How to handle Pakistan
Biography
After a first career in Royal Navy submarines, Hilary Synnott was a British diplomat for 30 years, serving in France, Germany, Jordan, India (as Deputy High Commissioner), Pakistan (as High Commissioner) and, finally, Iraq, where he was the Coalition Provisional Authority Regional Coordinator for Southern Iraq, from 2003–04. He is currently a Senior Consulting Fellow at the IISS. His other books are The Causes and Consequences of the South Asian Nuclear Tests (Adelphi Paper, 1999) and Bad Days in Basra (2008). He has written numerous articles on state-building and on South Asia for the press and for the IISS.
'Of all the threatened or threatening countries in the world none is today more dangerously in the balance than Pakistan. Out of unrivalled experience Hilary Synnott has produced a thorough and admirably clear description of the background and dilemmas which face the government of Pakistan and therefore all those other countries which have a deep interest in its future.'
Douglas Hurd, former British Foreign Secretary"This is an informative and well-written book. It is unusually clear-headed while, at the same time, remaining eminently compelling. It may not satisfy those with an interest in carefully calibrated or locally embedded policy recommendations. But, in my opinion, it should be read by anyone with an interest in the problem of ‘instability’ (and international responses to it) in the context of contemporary Pakistan." - Matthew J. Nelson, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, UK
'...A brilliant and badly needed analysis.... a superb job in making us see the reality and trends.'
Ahmed Rashid‘… this book provides a superb overview of the volatile situation in Pakistan today, and tells a complicated story lucidly.’
Kris Srinivasan, The Telegraph, Calcutta, India
'Thanks to his experience, Synnott provides an exceptionally informative and detailed account of modern-day Pakistan.'
The International Spectator, Vol. 45, No. 3, September 2010, 161"This brief and easily accessible book opens the discussion about the future of Pakistan, which is much needed in terms of global peace...Summing Up: Recommended. General readers and lower-division undergraduates." - M. D. Crosston, CHOICE (June 2010)
