PAKISTAN: Newsweek Calls Pakistan "the Most Dangerous Nation in World"

How's this for a provocative cover story... Newsweek's U.S. edition declares: "The Most Dangerous Nation In the World Isn't Iraq. It's Pakistan" (click on image to to magnify) Here's an excerpt from the piece, by Ron Moreau and Michael Hirsh:

Whoever the real culprits turn out to be, the truth is that Pakistan's government has only itself to blame for the carnage in Karachi. Pakistani leaders created the Islamist monster that now operates with near impunity throughout the country. Militant Islamist groups that were originally recruited, trained and armed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) have since become Islamabad's deadliest enemies. Twice they have nearly succeeded in assassinating Musharraf, who was once among their strongest supporters. In the last six years extremists have killed more than 1,000 Pakistani troops.

Today no other country on earth is arguably more dangerous than Pakistan. It has everything Osama bin Laden could ask for: political instability, a trusted network of radical Islamists, an abundance of angry young anti-Western recruits, secluded training areas, access to state-of-the-art electronic technology, regular air service to the West and security services that don't always do what they're supposed to do. (Unlike in Iraq or Afghanistan, there also aren't thousands of American troops hunting down would-be terrorists.)

Then there's the country's large and growing nuclear program. "If you were to look around the world for where Al Qaeda is going to find its bomb, it's right in their backyard," says Bruce Riedel, the former senior director for South Asia on the National Security Council.

The conventional story about Pakistan has been that it is an unstable nuclear power, with distant tribal areas in terrorist hands. What is new, and more frightening, is the extent to which Taliban and Qaeda elements have now turned much of the country, including some cities, into a base that gives jihadists more room to maneuver, both in Pakistan and beyond.

Read the rest of the article (and see videos from Pakistan) and post your comments below.

You can also watch Newsweek editor Jon Meacham discuss the cover choice. We also asked foreign editor and SAJA member Nisid Hajari five questions, including one about the cover.

See SAJAforum coverage of the recent bombings in Pakistan:

• Roundup of Newspaper Front Pages
• Bhutto Return Marked by Violence

See 130+ South Asia-related covers on U.S. magazines

Post your comments below.

Comments

[iFaqeer]

I am headed to Pakistan tonight for a week. Will be in KHI and ISB. We can talk about it some time if you want.

The one thing I am hearing increasingly amongst the Pakistani chattering classes is "American hasn't seen any attack on it's homeland since 9/11/2001; but our country is being torn apart because of this WoT. Isn't it time to declare a formal end to the WoT?"

[Ven Parameswaran, Scarsdale, N.Y.]

I congratulate Jon Meacham for selecting Pakistan as cover story. It has been long overdue. Pakistan has been the epicenter of global terrorism. If the U.S. is justified in invading Iraq and Afghanistan, it will be more than justified to clean up Pakistan. The record shows Pakistan Govt. has not cooperated with the U.S. in fighting and eliminating the terrorists. President Bush said :" You are with us against us". Pakistan is against the U.S. Pakistan has weapon of mass destruction that can be easily seized by the terrorists. If so, what is US and the NATO waiting for. This is an emergency and you do not need any signal from the Govt.of Pakistan. 9/11 was designed and executed from Pakistan and Afghanistan.Talibans were recognized and supported by Pakistan. If the U.S. and the West want to prevent future 9/11 type incidents they should clean up Pakistan and Afghanistan as a matter of priority. NATO should play a major role, now that Pakistan is an associate NATO member. Now that Newsweek is drawing the attention will the U.S. and the world media focus on Pakistan?

[Zafar Sadik]

The usual hysterical coverage from Newsweek. Hmm, but wait this all looks super familiar. Sounds like...buildup to the invasion of Iraq...oh, also sounds like the continuing buildup to the invasion of Iran. But never mind, I am sure Pakistan is indeed deserving of having the bullseye painted on it by Newsweek's ace journalists. Journalism without fear or favor indeed.

[Zafar Sadik]

Could Newsweek's cover story have anything to do with the US' new program (after all previous ones have failed) of installing Benazir Bhutto as the new savior of Pakistan. She went to Harvard don't you know, she's secular, she will save Pakistan. But wait didn't we hear all this from the Bush administration only 6 years ago about Parvez Musharraf only 6 years ago. Wasn't Parvez so cute, he went on Jon Stewart and sipped tea during Ramadan. He;s so secular, we want that man.

But then it didn't work out. But never mind let's try out Benazir. She may be a "kleptocrat in hermes scarves" as one of the few newsmagazines with a knowledge of history+memory of Pakistan's past (NOT Newsweek), but as Nixon once said "He may be a sonofabitch, but he's our sonofabitch." (about Suharto I think).

And as soon as the Benazir rescue mission is launched, along comes Newsweek with another ridiculous pandering story designed to assist the mission. No doubt most of the "facts" are true, but the slant, the angle, the positioning, the photos, all designed to evoke certain emotions in the American public-- that will produce a phone call to their Congressman. Go nuke go. Go blitz go. This is not journalism (except in the Judith Miller brand of prostitution to Bush administration)-- and shame on SAJA's journos for not calling a spade a spade.

PS Here is day 1 of training camp at Pakistani "Jehadi camps"

"When you see the western cameraman, throw your hands up like this and bare your teeth just so."
(eager trainee): "Bhaisaab, what if it is a white lady, sometimes they also send those."
"Then you try to personally intimidate her, that may even get you the cover"
(eager trainee 2) "Shall we have sticks? Or Kalashnikovs?"
"For AP, sticks. For CNN, always Kalashnikovs. For Newsweek, always bring the jehadi child with you, with a headwrap (never mind that he is from Orangi Town, everyone must wear headwrap). Oh and make sure to always wear white salwar, photographs well..."

[panditjugalkishoreshastri]

modern journalists always apologize to one in private for what they have written against one in public. therefore, I apologize to zafar sadiq because I am not Daniel Pearl. He hadn't apologized but judith miller did.

But is it 20 years yet, sadiq, since zia ul haq first started fund raising for terror. who were the donors? saudi, iran, uae? between isi, madrassas, military and politicians who kept the money after pakistan paid the Afghan mujahideen. did zia kill a democratically elected prime minister, zulfiqar ali bhutto? did madrassas grow from 300 in 1947 to 9000 in the year 2000. both registered and unregistered seminaries, right?

did american policy wonks come to instruct in those schools? did american policy wonks found such illustrious institutions as jaishe mohammad, sipah-e-sahiba, sipah-e-janghvi, lashkar-e-toiba, and 300 other criminal gangs that carried government-issued guns and the blessings of isi-aided clergy? did american policy wonks desginate these terrorist outfits as "white killers, jew killers, hindu killers, ahmadiya killers, qadiyani killers, shia killers and christian killers?

did american policy wonks dictate that pakistan not nurture any decent institutions for the long haul? did america pony up 3 billion dollars in 2001, and three more since, to keep pakistan breathing and not let its GDP of 2% growth in 2000 sink to zero in 2001. 2001 growth in GDP was 7%. wasn't that american donation?

did american policy wonks insist that every terrorist incident in the world since 9/11 have a pakistani involved?

did american policy wonks insist that pakistan allocate 39% of its subsistence level budget to defense?

The country's recent history is too dirty to whitewash with pious platitudes. those who live by the sword die by the sword. but a civilized world is giving pakistan the chance through the newsweek to answer the questions and answer with humility and diffidence unless that country's advertisement proclaims pakistan is still the epicenter of global terror.

you are lucky to be heard on a forum like SAJA. I regret it but, hey, life is never fair.

there is a theory that nothing succeeds like excess but pakistan's days of excess are over.

[Wajeehah Aayeshah]

I am surprised to be such a peace and serene loving person living in country which is more dangerous than Iraq....Wait a minute, I am shocked at not being scared or bothered about my beloved homeland as it is not only political instable, but a Bin Laden's trusted network of radical Islamists are also at work here.
Somehow, the access to state-of-the-art electronic technology that I was always proud of is beginning to sound like a hostile WMD. ( Does it not show economic development :S…I guess the people who get published as a cover story author would know better)
I also wonder how a third world country succeeded in organizing an Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) that served an important role in training these terrorist. hmmmm....I guess the funds and the main trainers landed from Mars and flew after succeeding in their mission.
It is interesting to know that Riedel, the former senior director for South Asia on the National Security Council knows where Al-Qaeeda can find its next bomb from but he is bluntly blank when it comes to finding the funding sources for the bomb.
Somehow, I find it very easy to play golf with a steaming mug of coffee and hot croissants, despite the life-threatening situation in Pakistan. I never knew I was so brave *pats her back*.
...............Oh gosh I hear an explosion!!!!!! duh* thats my brother playing counter strike :P

@ Zafar Sadik:
Salutes to the lines written above.

[A.B.]

This story is hopelessly biased and full of half-truths. Musharraf's efforts against Islamists have been constrained, yes, but not by "the deep sympathies that many of his countrymen have for jihadists". Has it escaped the author's notice that Musharraf doesn't seem to care a fig at the moment for his countrymen's wishes? He has been constrained because he cut a political deal with them in 2002, plain and simple. Furthermore, it is outrageous to blame Pakistan for using Islamists to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 1980s. Who was the USSR's no 1 enemy during the Cold War--was it Pakistan, or was it...the US?! To discuss the issue without ever mentioning the fact that much of the training and mobilisation of these groups against the USSR was instigated and paid for by none other than the CIA is ignorant or disingenous at best, and thoroughly irresponsible journalism at worst.

[panditjugalkishoreshastri]

golf used to be the rich man's game. but poor millions are playing it now drinking coffee that tastes like tea, savoring croissants made in Al Qaeda's kabul. Eagle has left the fairway and vultures now guard the desert. no birdies going around, no more.

those who sin in the name of golf...do not sin at all
blessed by golf gods they play with miscellaneous ball
their high kick gigs and giggles galore
sipping tea they wish was coffee
lo and behold, a croissant too
crusty on outside doughy on inside
like a french femme in shalwar kameez in Fall
but no such luck, it's hallucination that awaits
the predestined and inevitable fall.

lucky so far, misfortunetellers are knocking on your door
with explosion of your brother's error on your own floor
made of bamboo in year 54 that door and floor
ah, the incendiary crackle, snap and pop.

[Jaya Kamlani]

Hear! Hear!
I am impressed.
The Pandit has switched to poetry.

Now if only he could convince others
to put down their weapons
and military gear,
shake hands,
break bread,
sing a song together,
I would applaud him
relentlessly.

Jaya Kamlani

[panditjugalkishreshastri]

thank you jayamala for relentlessness.

[Steve]

I have a rule. Never visit a country with a "stan" at the end. For they are very dangerous indeed.

He's a bastard, but he's OUR bastard" is what FDR said when talking about Somoza, dictator of Nicaragua.

And unfortunately there is truth to that statement.

We don't live in a Perfect World. Often it is the lesser of too evils that we have to choose.

I don't think Pakistan should rush to democracy. A dictator might be what is needed there at the moment.

[Steve]

I hate to agree with Newsweek, but Pakistan scares the hell out of me.

We all know that if bin Laden is still alive he is most likely in Pakistan.

It is indeed the most dangerous part of the world today.

[Alex]

Most of America know that at least half the people of Pakistan support terrorism (if not more).

After all, whenever you hear about someone going off to join a terrorist training camp, they most often go to Pakistan.

I want to recommend a website.

http://www.paktribune.com/index.shtml

[Jaya Kamlani]

Steve,

The world can now understand what India has been struggling with in Kashmir for many years.

And now it looks like all hell has broken loose in the Middle-East and in South-East Asia (Afghanistan/Pakistan). It has indeed become a scary world. And I witnessed 9/11 from a little distance, which is not easy to forget.

But I also believe that not all Muslims are extremists. Most of them are peace-loving folks. It's just some bad elements that give the others a bad name. The problem is that these elements have caused so much havoc in the world.

With the U.N and NATO not having much influence in this situation, I think only Muslim leaders of the world can come up with a solution, because they will realize that not only are the Islamist extremists hurting the western world, but the Muslims are also killing each other, as is the case of the civil war in Iraq. So no one is winning in these wars. It's just death and devastation on all sides.

Jaya Kamlani

[Jaya Kamlani]

Steve,

When you said, "I don't think Pakistan should rush to democracy. A dictator might be what is needed there at the moment."... were you thinking about Iraq, which was doing fine as a country under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, until U.S tried to bring in democracy? And then, all hell broke loose after the fall of Saddam's statue. Are you saying we must learn from that experience, and not rush democracy in Pakistan at this moment, until terrorism is under control in that region? This is what I gathered from your comment.

Jaya Kamlani

[Hamid Nawaz Khan]

Posted By: Mr.Khan @ 10/25/2007 9:52:44 PM
Comment: Being resident of Noth Western Frontier, bordering Pakistan with Afghanistan, and having 9 years experience of working journalsit. I would suggest to all reading this article seriously that first to understand that why and how people of this part of the world were trapped to start a war against human civilization and make efforts to push all of us again towards post stone age era. No doubt about the fact that fuel is being supplied by the locals to this international game. But at the same time, the situation is inviting us to look behind that curtain and identify the real actors of this game. This is just power game, it was started when Ben Laden family realized that they can not get government control in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I would suggest that this could be controlled, only when the world community in real sense come forward for the rescue of moderate Pakistanis

Hamid Nawaz
Jouranlist

hamidnawaz_2007@yahoo.com

[Syed Adnan Jafri]

I agree … it is most dangerous Nation even USA is afraid of potential of this nation’s.
Isn’t amazing being most dangerous nation?

[panditjugalkisoreshastri]

hamid nawaz

can not is one word as in "they cannot get control in the kingdom of saudi arabia."
no wonder adnan jafri is another journalist,almost, in agreement with you. All great journalists think alike. when will you grow up to be my size. in the meantine you don't have to give journalists of NWFP a bad name.

[Shahnzaz]

I do agree that Pakistan has recently become a target of the Taliban, with chaos going on in certain parts of the country, and the arrival of Benazir brought about a great number of deaths, which was uncalled for and terrible. But Newsweek has painted a horrible picture of Pakistan. Living here is just as normal as any other country...its not like you get out of your house and get bombed, or there are terrorist attacks everyday. There is only a certain group, namely the extremists, who cause these things to happen, but there is security and control, there is work being done to prevent this. So why call Pakistan the most dangerous country? From wht i have heard of Iraq, you can hardly go out without something terrible happening. Here tourists come everyday, mosly to visit relatives, there are malls, coffee shops, people wear jeans, trading is done freely, imported goods are used, it is greatly modernised especially in karachi, lahore and isl and high quality education for those who can afford it. so why paint such a negative picture of Pakistan, why highlight certain incidents so much that the minds of people who have never been here become clogged with the fact that Pak is a 'terrorist nation'? Stop stereotyping! why not write an article about the beauty of the tourist sites, or pakistani culture, dances, traditions? Stop scaring them, for heavens sake. If Pakistan was so terrible i wouldnt be living here, nor would I be alive writing this to you without some part of my body being injured, yet i did so, since i found the cover page disturbing and unfair to us Pakistanis, who are trying hard to bring the real, positive image of Pakistan to other people.
please think about it.

[Jaya Kamlani – BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

Pakistan's Musharraf declares emergency
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071103/ap_on_re_as/pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - President Gen. Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in Pakistan on Saturday, state TV said.

"The chief of army staff has proclaimed a state of emergency and issued a provisional constitutional order," a newscaster on Pakistan TV said.

President Gen. Pervez Musharraf was preparing to impose a state of emergency amid rising violence and political tensions, lawmakers said Saturday after an extraordinary meeting of Cabinet ministers and other officials. A senior official in the ruling coalition said the decision was reached at the meeting chaired by Musharraf. "The switch could be turned on anytime," the official said.

But a minister said the decision still had to be approved by a full meeting of the Cabinet, which would convene at 7 p.m. "If the Cabinet approves it, it will be declared," the minister said. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The private Geo TV network, citing unnamed official sources, reported that a final decision to declare an emergency had been taken and that Musharraf may address the nation later tonight.

Another government lawmaker and a Western diplomat, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said they had received similar information and expected an emergency as early as Saturday night.

Jaya Kamlani

[anwaar ul haq awan]

why it is always considered that Pakistan is the most dangerous nation/coutry. Why dont the developed coutries pay heed to the probable reasons of emerging terrerosim thus making the world dangerous.They have more role into it....Must have not double standards.