Journal Article - Quarterly Journal: International Security
The Jihad Paradox: Pakistan and Islamist Militancy in South Asia
Summary
Islamist militants based in Pakistan pose a major threat to regional and international security. Although this problem has only recently received widespread attention, Pakistan has long used militants as strategic tools to compensate for its severe political and material weakness. This use of Islamist militancy has constituted nothing less than a central component of Pakistani grand strategy; supporting jihad has been one of the principal means by which the Pakistani state has sought to produce security for itself. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, the strategy has not been wholly disastrous. Rather, it has achieved important domestic and international successes. Recently, however, Pakistan has begun to suffer from a “jihad paradox”: the very conditions that previously made Pakistan’s militant policy useful now make it extremely dangerous. Thus, despite its past benefits, the strategy has outlived its utility, and Pakistan will have to abandon it to avoid catastrophe. Other weak states, which may also be tempted to use nonstate actors as strategic tools, should take the Pakistani case as a cautionary lesson.
Want to Read More?
The full text of this publication is available via the original publication source.
For more information on this publication:
Please contact
International Security
For Academic Citation:
S. Paul Kapur and Sumit Ganguly. “The Jihad Paradox: Pakistan and Islamist Militancy in South Asia.” Quarterly Journal: International Security, vol. 37. no. 1. (Summer 2012): 111-141 .
- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
Journal Article
- Quarterly Journal: International Security
The Cult of the Persuasive: Why U.S. Security Assistance Fails
Newspaper Article
- Harvard Crimson
Belfer Center Fellow Discusses Nigerian Election Violence at HKS Seminar
Journal Article
- Quarterly Journal: International Security
Decline and Disintegration: National Status Loss and Domestic Conflict in Post-Disaster Spain
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Analysis & Opinions
- Project Syndicate
If Trump Returns
Analysis & Opinions
US-China Relations: An Interview with Graham Allison
Summary
Islamist militants based in Pakistan pose a major threat to regional and international security. Although this problem has only recently received widespread attention, Pakistan has long used militants as strategic tools to compensate for its severe political and material weakness. This use of Islamist militancy has constituted nothing less than a central component of Pakistani grand strategy; supporting jihad has been one of the principal means by which the Pakistani state has sought to produce security for itself. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, the strategy has not been wholly disastrous. Rather, it has achieved important domestic and international successes. Recently, however, Pakistan has begun to suffer from a “jihad paradox”: the very conditions that previously made Pakistan’s militant policy useful now make it extremely dangerous. Thus, despite its past benefits, the strategy has outlived its utility, and Pakistan will have to abandon it to avoid catastrophe. Other weak states, which may also be tempted to use nonstate actors as strategic tools, should take the Pakistani case as a cautionary lesson.
Want to Read More?
The full text of this publication is available via the original publication source.- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
Journal Article - Quarterly Journal: International Security
The Cult of the Persuasive: Why U.S. Security Assistance Fails
Newspaper Article - Harvard Crimson
Belfer Center Fellow Discusses Nigerian Election Violence at HKS Seminar
Journal Article - Quarterly Journal: International Security
Decline and Disintegration: National Status Loss and Domestic Conflict in Post-Disaster Spain
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Analysis & Opinions - Project Syndicate
If Trump Returns
Analysis & Opinions
US-China Relations: An Interview with Graham Allison