Still a failed state

August 25, 2010 4:53 AM

Ahmed Rashid writes about The Anarchic Republic of Pakistan as amid the flooding the CIA resumes its drone campaign and Pakistan is to clamp down on Islamist militant charities while the Chinese give Military Assistance.

Maybe some humor is the only way to understand Pakistan.
Robber: “Give me all your money!”
Zardari: “Don’t you know who I am? I am Asif Ali Zardari.”
Robber: “OK. Give me all my money”

posted by adamvasco (16 comments total)

For a state whose economy is on the skids and dependent on the IMF for massive bailouts, whose elite refuse to pay taxes, whose army drains an estimated 20 percent of the country’s annual budget, Pakistan continues to insist that peace with India is impossible for decades to come.

dependent on loans for massive bailouts? check.
an elite who refuse to pay taxes? check
20 or more of the national budget on defense? check

And the problem is? It seems the American influence on Pakistan has been more successful than imagined.
posted by three blind mice at 5:19 AM on August 25, 2010 [11 favorites]

We need a dead pool on this sad place. I vote before the end of the next decade.
posted by Meatbomb at 6:03 AM on August 25, 2010

why no mention of the floods? the National Interest is a bi-monthly magazine, so the article was probably written a few weeks ago
posted by tingting at 6:17 AM on August 25, 2010

800000 people stranded as of NYTimes

America and the west could spend a fraction of what a war/occupation/puppet state would cost to save these people and we could do more to reduce Islamic militancy for generations

that choice is on the table...guess which way its going to go
posted by lslelel at 7:24 AM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]

There's no mention of the floods because this article was locked up and sent to the printer before the floods happened.
posted by warbaby at 10:35 AM on August 25, 2010

Ahmed Rashid - former Bills great.
posted by Senator at 11:35 AM on August 25, 2010

Bombings Kill 32 in Pakistan NW;
US Drone Strikes Kill 20;
As Floods Advance on Sindh
posted by homunculus at 1:29 PM on August 25, 2010

What does that mean please Senator?
posted by adamvasco at 1:31 PM on August 25, 2010

An exciting new Muslim country to drone attack
posted by homunculus at 1:37 PM on August 25, 2010

It's utterly depressing to watch the news coming out of my homeland (well, one of them, to be more precise). I keep thinking I need to do a post about all the things that are wonderful about Pakistan.

Some of it this guy talks about, but there is so much more. And it breaks my heart that most of the people in this online community of ours will only ever think of it as "this sad place." Until a short time ago, I would have sputtered in indignation at that description. But in spite of how vibrant and resilient it is, "sad" really is becoming an accurate descriptor.

There is so much more than Zardari, nuclear warheads, oppressed minorities, and natural disasters. Perhaps I will put together a post.
posted by bardophile at 5:46 PM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]

Perhaps I confused this fellow with Ahmad Rashād.
posted by Senator at 7:14 PM on August 25, 2010

bardophile; here's a few 1; 2; 3 to cheer you up.
posted by adamvasco at 11:36 AM on August 26, 2010

adamvasco: Interesting thought, that Abida Parveen would be considered Nusrat's successor. She was very much a contemporary. Not sure, might even have become popular before him. She's a phenomenal performer live, and at least back in 1994, incredibly humble.
posted by bardophile at 9:39 PM on August 26, 2010

Pakistan Flood Sets Back Years of Gains on Infrastructure: The destruction of roads, schools and health clinics could further weaken the civilian administration and add to the burdens confronted by the military.
posted by homunculus at 8:32 AM on August 27, 2010 [1 favorite]

Another 500,000 Flee Indus Breaches
Taliban threaten Aid Workers;
Global Warming Implicated
posted by homunculus at 8:33 AM on August 27, 2010 [1 favorite]

Tweeting for Pakistan
posted by bardophile at 1:46 AM on August 30, 2010