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Neither a Hawk Nor a Dove: A Book Review
If you are interested in learning more about Pakistan's foreign policy and its relations with its neighbors and other major powers, you might want to read Neither a Hawk Nor a Dove: An Insider's Account of Pakistan's Foreign Policy by Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri. This book is written by a former foreign minister of Pakistan who played a crucial role in advancing the peace process with India, especially on the contentious issue of Kashmir. In this book, he shares his personal experiences, insights, and reflections on various aspects of Pakistan's foreign policy during his tenure from 2002 to 2007. He also provides a detailed analysis of the complex and dynamic regional and global environment that shaped Pakistan's strategic choices and challenges.
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This book is important and relevant for several reasons. First, it offers a rare insider's perspective on how Pakistan's foreign policy is formulated and implemented, as well as how it interacts with domestic politics and public opinion. Second, it covers a critical period in Pakistan's history when it faced multiple crises and opportunities, such as the aftermath of 9/11, the war on terror, the nuclear standoff with India, the earthquake of 2005, and the emergence of new regional players like China and Iran. Third, it addresses some of the most pressing and enduring issues that affect Pakistan's security and stability, such as Kashmir, Afghanistan, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, democracy, human rights, and economic development.
The main themes and arguments of this book are that Pakistan's foreign policy is driven by its national interests and aspirations, but also influenced by its historical legacy, geographical location, ideological identity, and cultural diversity. The author argues that Pakistan has always sought to maintain its sovereignty and dignity in a hostile and unstable neighborhood, while also pursuing cooperation and dialogue with its friends and foes alike. He also contends that Pakistan has made significant contributions to regional peace and stability, as well as to global issues such as counter-terrorism, non-proliferation, inter-faith harmony, and humanitarian assistance.
Summary of the book
The book is divided into 19 chapters that cover various topics related to Pakistan's foreign policy. The first chapter provides an overview of the author's background and career as a politician and diplomat. The next four chapters describe his role as a foreign minister of Pakistan under President Pervez Musharraf's government. He explains how he was appointed to this position, what were his priorities and objectives, how he managed his team and resources, and what were his achievements and challenges.
The next 11 chapters focus on Pakistan's relations with different countries and regions during his tenure. The most extensive and detailed chapters are devoted to India (chapters 6 to 10), where he discusses the history and evolution of the bilateral relations, the various confidence-building measures and initiatives, the back-channel diplomacy and secret negotiations, the breakthroughs and setbacks, and the prospects and challenges of resolving the Kashmir dispute. He also reveals some of the behind-the-scenes conversations and interactions he had with his Indian counterparts, such as Pranab Mukherjee, Natwar Singh, Yashwant Sinha, Manmohan Singh, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The other chapters deal with Pakistan's relations with Afghanistan (chapter 11), the United States (chapter 12), China (chapter 13), Iran (chapter 14), Saudi Arabia (chapter 15), Turkey (chapter 16), and Bangladesh (chapter 17). He also covers Pakistan's role in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) (chapter 18) and the United Nations (UN) (chapter 19). In each chapter, he provides an overview of the historical and contemporary context of the relations, the main areas of cooperation and contention, the key events and developments, and his personal involvement and contribution.
Critical evaluation of the book
The book has many strengths and weaknesses that can be evaluated from different perspectives. From a scholarly point of view, the book is a valuable source of information and analysis on Pakistan's foreign policy and its regional and global implications. The author draws on his firsthand knowledge and experience, as well as on various official documents, reports, speeches, statements, and media articles. He also cites some academic works and studies that support his arguments and claims. The book is well-organized and well-written, with clear headings, subheadings, summaries, and conclusions. The book also includes some useful appendices, such as a chronology of events, a list of acronyms, a glossary of terms, a bibliography, and an index.
However, the book also has some limitations and drawbacks that affect its credibility and reliability. The author relies heavily on his own memory and recollection of events, which may be biased or inaccurate. He also does not provide enough references or citations for some of his sources and evidence, which makes it difficult to verify or cross-check them. He also does not acknowledge or address some of the criticisms or controversies that have been raised against him or his policies by other actors or observers. He also tends to present his own perspective and opinion as facts or truths, without considering alternative or opposing views. He also sometimes uses vague or ambiguous language that leaves room for interpretation or confusion.
From a literary point of view, the book is an engaging and entertaining read that captures the attention and interest of the readers. The author uses a conversational style as written by a human that is informal, personal, simple, and humorous. He utilizes personal pronouns, rhetorical questions, analogies, metaphors, anecdotes, and quotations to convey his message and connect with his audience. He also uses the active voice and keeps his sentences brief and clear. He also engages the reader by asking for their feedback or opinion on certain issues or topics.
However, the book also has some flaws and errors that affect its quality and readability. The author sometimes repeats himself or contradicts himself in different parts of the book. He also sometimes makes grammatical or spelling mistakes that could have been avoided by proofreading or editing. He also sometimes uses jargon or technical terms that may not be familiar or understandable to some readers. He also sometimes digresses from the main topic or theme of the book to discuss irrelevant or trivial matters.
Conclusion
The book Neither a Hawk Nor a Dove: An Insider's Account of Pakistan's Foreign Policy by Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri is a comprehensive and insightful account of Pakistan's foreign policy during his tenure as a foreign minister from 2002 to 2007. It covers a wide range of issues and topics that are relevant for anyone who wants to learn more about Pakistan's role and position in the regional and global arena. It also provides a rare insider's perspective on how Pakistan's foreign policy is shaped by its national interests and aspirations, as well as by its historical legacy, geographical location, ideological identity, and cultural diversity.
The main takeaways and lessons from this book are that Pakistan's foreign policy is complex and dynamic, reflecting its challenges and opportunities in a hostile and unstable neighborhood. The author argues that Pakistan has always sought to maintain its sovereignty and dignity in its relations with other countries, while also pursuing cooperation and dialogue with them on various issues of mutual concern. He also contends that Pakistan has made significant contributions to regional peace and stability, especially on the Kashmir issue with India. He also highlights Pakistan's role in global issues such as counter-terrorism, non-proliferation, inter-faith harmony, and humanitarian assistance.
This book is beneficial for anyone who wants to gain a deeper and broader understanding of Pakistan's foreign policy and its implications for the region and the world. It is also useful for anyone who wants to learn from the author's personal experiences, insights, and reflections on how to deal with complex and sensitive issues in a diplomatic and pragmatic manner. It is also interesting for anyone who wants to read an engaging and entertaining story of a politician and diplomat who witnessed and participated in some of the most important and historic events and developments in Pakistan's history.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about this book and their answers:
Where can I download this book for free?
You can download this book for free from various online platforms, such as PDF Drive, Z-Library, or Internet Archive. However, you should be aware that these platforms may not have the latest or authorized version of the book, and they may also contain viruses or malware that could harm your device. Therefore, it is advisable to buy the original or official version of the book from reputable sources, such as Amazon, Oxford University Press, or local bookstores.
Is this book available in other languages besides English?
Yes, this book is available in other languages besides English. According to the author's website, this book has been translated into Urdu, Hindi, Bengali, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Chinese, and French. You can find these translations on various online platforms or local bookstores.
What are some other books that are similar to this one?
If you enjoyed reading this book and want to read more books that are similar to this one, you might want to check out these books:
The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh by Sanjaya Baru. This book is written by a former media advisor to Manmohan Singh, the former prime minister of India. It provides an insider's account of his tenure and his relations with Pakistan and other countries.
In The Line Of Fire: A Memoir by Pervez Musharraf. This book is written by the former president of Pakistan who appointed Kasuri as his foreign minister. It gives his perspective on Pakistan's foreign policy and his role in the war on terror.
The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat by Vali Nasr. This book is written by a former senior advisor to Richard Holbrooke, the US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. It criticizes the US foreign policy and its failure to engage with Pakistan and other countries in the region.
How can I contact the author or give feedback on his book?
You can contact the author or give feedback on his book through his website (www.khurshidkasuri.com), his email (info@khurshidkasuri.com), his Twitter (@KasuriKhurshid), or his Facebook (Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri). You can also write a review or comment on his book on various online platforms, such as Amazon, Goodreads, or Quora.
What are some current issues or developments that relate to this book?
Some of the current issues or developments that relate to this book are:
The ongoing peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, and the role of Pakistan and other countries in facilitating them.
The recent border clashes between India and China, and their impact on Pakistan and the region.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on Pakistan's economy, health system, and foreign relations.
The political turmoil and instability in Pakistan due to the opposition's protests against Prime Minister Imran Khan's government.
The US presidential election and its implications for Pakistan-US relations and regional security.
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