Pakistan

Pakistan’s military and elite are holding it back: US analyst

Samia Saleem August 04, 2010

KARACHI: There are two groups in Pakistan that hinder its growth, first the military and second the socio-political elite who have their own defined interests. This was the assessment of analyst Walter Russell Mead in a quick interview with this newspaper on Wednesday as he stops in for a fortnight to assess how Pakistanis view US foreign policy.

“[The military and elite] make the country appear very dynastic,” said Mead, who is visiting Pakistan for the second time after 2007. Until recently, he was the Henry A Kissinger senior fellow for US foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Mead is interested in understanding why American foreign policy so unpopular in Pakistan - what is it that America misunderstands about Pakistan and what is it that Pakistanis don’t understand about US foreign policy. He said he wants to work on crafting new ways to develop trust between the two allies in the fight against extremism.

“It is not in America’s interest to see Pakistan under threat or bullied by its neighbor,” said

Mead said that Pakistan that has a growth rate of eight to 10 per cent, which has improved socio-economic indicators, investment in infrastructure and development, which leads him to be confident about its fundamentals.

After reporting from Pakistan, he identified four main reasons - India, Afghanistan, Islam and the unwelcome influence of the US in Pakistan - for the growing mistrust between Pakistan and the US. Both countries need to have in-depth dialogue on their issues. “It should be an honest and candid talk about each other’s fears, including India and Afghanistan, keeping all the cards on the table,” he stressed. This is how relations will be shaped in the future.

He justified America’s growing interest in India as a response to its emerging power and influence in the region and said that Pakistan needs to keep up if it wants to be treated like its rival. “India is a very fast-emerging economy and we have to respond to it accordingly,” he said. “They achieved that state themselves; we did not create that.”

He said that there was a time when India was equally concerned about the growing influence of China in the region as it could not keep up with its growth level. The same is now happening to Pakistan. India’s prominence in the region is a fact now and it is up to Pakistan to react and adopt to this change.

Answering a question on the Kashmir issue, Mead said that if Pakistanis think that, “we can wave a magic wand over India”, it simply wasn’t true. When the US could not move the 800,000 people of Cyprus even though the EU, UN, Greece and Turkey were on its side, how could it persuade more than one billion people in India to listen? However, America can play a role in improving Pakistan’s state so that it has a better standing, he said.

Now people in America see Pakistan more as part of the Middle East than the growing region of Asia. “Asia now comprises countries such as India, China, Japan and Vietnam for us,” he said. “We see Asia as the center of growth in the future with the Pacific being the ocean of world politics and not the Atlantic.” However, Pakistan has a key position as far as Afghanistan is concerned.

It is a legal obligation for all aid to reach Pakistan through its government, however, with the given level of corruption, it gets divided among the different ministries before it can reach the people it is meant for.

As far as the new world order is concerned, Mead said that it depends on how Pakistan secures an important role in the world in future. Pakistan needs to stabilise its security and economic position, focus on human development and look at the course of Talibanisation. “Pakistan needs to work on its internal strategy if not to please the Americans then for its own benefit,” he concluded.

Walter Russell Mead writes for several international publications and is on the editorial board of ‘The American Interest’ a think tank on American foreign policy http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/wrm/>

Published in The express Tribune, August 5^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (18)

Omar | 13 years ago | Reply Mr. Mead, the fellow from Henry K. Fellow should focus issues with Israel and related country and leave Pakistan alone. I am always surprised to see all these Jews or their friends taking so much interest in Pakistan...weather they are in official position or not....yes Pakistan is going through rough and may be the lowest point of the history but these Jews need to stay out of this issue.....it is like Muslim in US start making policy and key analysis for Israel and related issues ....... How credible that analysis that would be. I am surprised that reader and writer always try to avoid this issues .......

Kamran Sani | 13 years ago | Reply And Mr. Mead Pakistan does not need Pagans developed way of Government 'Democracy', read the Islamic history and find out how just and secular we were. Not to forget how enlightened and well educated muslims were until a series of CRUSADES were initiated to wipe them out. I am not enraged, but only like to tell you that how just and effective the Islamic system of government was. People were taken in just like any corporation recruits its workforce, by hiring them, and not by hiring a third party (political party) which comprises of both good and bad people, the ratios vary drastically from country to country. Democracy is badly flawed, so dont try bringing democracy to our country. and our armed forces are our pride, so please refrain from using derogatory words for them, we will not let any alien demean and malign our people. Pakistan comprises of beautiful people, both of heart and mind, to me each and everyone is dearer and sacred, and we know how to dispose off our waste. Your country created the so called Elites in our country, so its your responsibility to them green cards and take them to your heaven. AMERICA

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Kamran Sani | 13 years ago | Reply I think we seriously need to hear the critique. Southasians are believed to be very emotional people. Seldom are they rational. In Pakistan the scenario is worst where people when they hear anything bad about them or if some country criticizes their religion or belief, they tend to destroy their own country rather than getting back to them in a strategic manner. I am sure the countries who have instigated riots in our country must be laughing as what their mere tongue wagging can enrage the people of Pakistan. The media to a very great extent has to be blamed to fuel the fire. Pakistan does not have a trade and foreign policy, and mostly depends on fire fighting. We all know that even corporations are wiped out by competition if they do not strategically plan. We are an ever begging nation, when in need of money we go in search of alms country to country. Literally degrading our country and its citizen in world's eye. Mr. Mead you needn't be perturbed about how we respond to the relationship we have with your country as we make a mock out of our own selves. But yes! on a serious note to tell you quiet frankly Pakistan was progressing and emerging in the world market till 9/11 happened. I don't know if 9/11 really happened or was a farce through which the new world order was stamped down on us. Even you must be knowing what evil doing your country is doing globally to get even more richer and gain power. We all are aware that Afghanistan and Pakistan are the Caspian Oil Base. The Talibans in Afghanistan are building the pipeline in their country which will run through Pakistan till its port for the US to take out oil worth at least $12 trillion, and the US has ordered its watchdogs (Blackwater/XE) to commit heinous crimes in our country, to the extent of disintegrating our country, for which a Pakistani will never ever be able to forgive the US. I could have written more but I am sure it may sound very repititive and boring to you and your government. As far as the people of America, let me tell you that they are like angels and we love them. I have worked with them professionally and know how honest, diligent, just and them having high morals. So to sum up, we respect the citizens of America, but do not keep the US government in high esteems. Thank you!

finan | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan is a great Nation and the people of this country know what to understand and what not to understand. United States should not interfere in Pakistan's affairs and should leave this country as soon as it can. According to UN law soverign countries should not poke its nose in others business. If americans can take care of the poor americans that will be a real service to that country. The reasons of America's arrival into pakistan is fairly known to every citizen of this country. America should stop playing in the hands of the jews and the indians because this will lead America to serious problems. Whatever America is doing is totally wrong and wrong's dont succeed. The Pakistani nation can take care of themselves and do not need financial help. Just pay the CSF payable due to Pakistan and move on.

Nivedita | 13 years ago | Reply How much the Pakistanis love to hate the US... Why don't you simply convince you military and elite to stop taking any money from the US? Besides, why shouldn't the US and UK 'control' Pakistan? Who do you think helped create your country in the first place? It 'certainly' wasn't Allah and Jinnah alone...lol!

khadija imam | 13 years ago | Reply najeeb has aptly outlined the elite's role in the entire situation. however, the elite was given greater due then should have been awarded to it; it was defined as a group of intellectuals serving its own interests. when in reality it is a group of materialistic, sociopaths who have no association with the masses in general whatsoever. however, as long as it continues to serve its purpose to the US, who would bother trying to get the muddy waters clean? and mr. mead: what you fail to understand is that the Pakistani "mistress" has increasingly lost faith in her American lover. and why shouldnt she? she has been bombarded, raped and mutilated by the Taliban created BY YOU. it is high time that this relationship was based on mutual understanding and on equal terms. Pakistan, stop those bloody tears and move on.

Parvez | 13 years ago | Reply KM and Hashmi hit the nail on its head. Every dimwit can see that America wants to stand up India to offset China. Pakistan is supposed to fall in line. Pakistan is supposed to accept India's hegemony in addition to America. How does it help Pakistan? Pakistan's elite who are subservient to America are not even convinced even though they would love to comply. Of course, Pakistani people don't even enter the calculation. Pakistan paid enough of price for adventures during Jihad against USSR and you can remember the pay back. Just say no thanks.

Anon | 13 years ago | Reply "Now people in America see Pakistan more as part of the Middle East than the growing region of Asia. “Asia now comprises countries such as India, China, Japan and Vietnam for us,” he said. “We see Asia as the center of growth in the future with the Pacific being the ocean of world politics and not the Atlantic.” However, Pakistan has a key position as far as Afghanistan is concerned." People can see the rhetoric for themselves. India is being lauded as a growing power. And the importance of Pakistan is only limited with a meagre Afghanistan? What does devastated Afghanistan have in common with a nation eight times its size?

Najeeb Pandrani | 13 years ago | Reply Mead is absolutely right when he says that elites are the greatest stumbling block to the progress of our society. What he failed to mention, however, was that these elites are the greatest assets of the West in general and the US in particular. History is witness to the fact these elites helped USA make Pakistan an imperialist tool. Given the fact that their presence is in the interest of the West, elitist democracy, not the popular democracy, would continue to receive blessings from the US. What the jagirdars had been doing for British in the British India, our elites are doing same for the imperialist powers.

John Donne | 13 years ago | Reply Thank you Mr Hashmi, you hit the nail right on its head. With level-headed people like you, who needs unsolicited advisers, outsiders from anywhere else? We are a people awake since the dawn of civilization, even though in trouble at the moment, largely due to the doings of those to whom a sort of civilization-largely mechanical based-came late in the day, and perhaps having done its part, is in the twilight of its years. To them we say,"kay amdi, kay peer shudi?" No need to translate for them. The one who wishes to learn does it by himself/herself.

Hashmi | 13 years ago | Reply Walter mead identified four reasons, but i think its only one reason...that is "UNWELCOME influence of US in Pakistan". it is also the awnser for walter is wondering. Because this kind of influence is not for stablising pakistan but to destablizig pakistan's security and economy ....so how can pakistan stand up for his rivals, and how can pakistan works on his internal stategy in the presence of uninvited US company.

temporal | 13 years ago | Reply walter mead should re-read this: There are two groups in Pakistan that hinder its growth, first the military and second the socio-political elite who have their own defined interests. as... There are two groups in the US that hinder its growth, first the military and second the socio-political elite who have their own defined interests. in his farewell address to the nation ike singled out the military-industrial-bureacratic nexus and warned about it same exists here

KhyberPukhtunkhwa | 13 years ago | Reply by the way who had been supporting dictators which undermined a democratic culture and strong institutions. guess who! However, i believe that it is Pakistanis to blame for in what state they are right now but this US analyst should not act as if his country has nothing to do with it. zia thier favorite guy during cold war is one such example whose pernicious legacy is hard to eradicate.

KM | 13 years ago | Reply Actually it is the military and socio political elite that works to the advantage of the US, and if you try to scrape it further, you will find a group trying to control by emphasizing that the New World Order is the solution. The new world order is actually controlling through the financials and military might. It is very surprising that our pseudo intellectuals cant read the writing on the walls, and hence fall prey to the hostility through such captions. Fine we know it, but isnt this what you want. In order to build trust, is this a new scam to expose what is back of the mind, and gradually loop it back to the same, but in the process make pakistanis feel that they have been taken care off. Crap it is, as long as every action is NOT judged thoroughly for its short, mid and long term objectives. Unfortunately Pakistan to date has been run with a traders mind set, where the only objective is to make money, even if it comes to stripping off morality.

Murtaza Ali Jafri | 13 years ago | Reply I think the venerable Mr. Mead needs to get out of the Islamabad drawing culture and walk amongst local Pakistanis to see why the US is so unpopular. Puppet regimes, unpopular reforms, broken promises, verbally bashing Pakistan etc. Take your pick Mr. Mead.

Jean Oiselleur | 13 years ago | Reply The four reason Mr. Mead identified are in fact three: India for its multi-hypocrate facade, Afghanistan for Hamid Karzai's dubious and corrupt policies and US for it's double standard. Islam has an idealogical role in Pakistan's history and Islam as Idealogy is the perfect one if one reads its fundamentals and obligations. Lesser visioned people can misinterpret certain features. Nonetheless they are very few and do not weigh much like Mr. Bead's statement.

Sadia Hussain | 13 years ago | Reply Improving the image of Pakistan is not just the responsibility of the state but also the citizens. We need to highlight our achievements in the war against extremism; we need to tell the stories of those brave girls who went to school despite of severe opposition by the Taliban. We must celebrate our achievements in this battle

John Donne | 13 years ago | Reply I am surprised or am I? to read that Mr Walter Mead, one of the many visitors from America to Pakistan, at this age is attempting to understand why American policy is unpopular in Pakistan, and what is it that Pakistanis don't understand about American policy. I bet Pakistanis are not dumb. Perhaps they understand both after having had a long-drawn-out experience of the policy of their friends. They are aware of what their friends did to them over a period of 63 years, and to the rest of the world, from the inception of their country till today. Welcome to Pakistan. We are a hospitable people and make both our friends and foes at home, even though we are paid back what we are.

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