Restructuring Pakistan : A Global Imperative/Vinod Saighal. New Delhi, Manas, 2002, 244 p., maps, $33. ISBN 81-7049-134-7.

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Islam in a Cul de Sac. 3. Deconstruction of the Pakistan state. 4. Reconstruction. 5. The way forward. 6. The new uncertainties : A. Pakistan. B. Ghettoisation of Pakistan. C. Afghanistan. D. Albion at it once again. E. Central Asia. F. Iran. G. Middle East. H. Turkey. I. Egypt. J. Saudi Arabia. K. Jordan, Syria, Israel, Lebanon. L. Russia. M. USA: carpet baggers to carpet bombers. N. The increasing planetary stresses. O. Indo-Afghan. 7. September 11 events: global perspective : A. Reformulating the ground rules for combating global terrorism. B. Islam linked to terror. C. Subcontinental fallout. D. China. E. The (propagandistic) apotheosis of the Taliban. 8. Analysing the military strategy of the intervention forces. 9. Random press samplings (Pakistan). 10. Epilogue (as prologue) : dealing with the Afghan-Pak cauldron – the global perspective. End notes. Index.

"In a bold departure from conventional thinking on the subject, the author presents an exciting blueprint for the resurgence of Pakistan from a terrorism sponsoring state to a dynamic and responsible member of the comity of nations. In a veritable tour de force he demonstrates that ‘fundamentalism’ has a limited life span. He goes on to say that if fundamentalism is not given up it will self-destruct the polity that adheres to it. The new global currents linked to the spread of knowledge, thanks to the information revolution, will take care of that, says the author who has dealt with several other issues ranging from the nuclear issue to the interplay of global forces in South and Central Asia." (jacket)

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