The Pakistan Cauldron: Conspiracy, Assassination & Instability

The assault on Osama bin Laden spotlighted Pakistan's unpredictable political dynamics, in which betrayal, paranoia, and conspiracy feature prominently. Understanding Pakistani politics is crucial to working with this challenging American ally. As Benazir Bhutto often stated, there is "always the story behind the story," and James Farwell tells it clearly in The Pakistan Cauldron. Farwell has advised the U.S. Special Operations Command, the U.S. Strategic Command, and the Department of Defense on terrorism and counterterrorism in Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan. Now he reveals how key Pakistani players have employed the principles of strategic communication to advance their agendas and undercut those of their enemies.

Pakistan is an enigma to many Westerners. Only by understanding the often-bizarre forces that shape Pakistan's individual leaders can we uncover their true intentions. Farwell explains how and why President Pervez Musharraf clamped down on nuclear scientist A. Q. Khan. He assesses the legacy of Benazir Bhutto, whose assassination deprived the world of a unique voice for religious tolerance and democracy. He also examines how Musharraf dealt with the aftermath of her assassination. Vitally, he places those events into today's context, explaining how a Pakistan that says it is cooperating with the United States in fighting terrorism could hide terrorist Osama bin Laden and why Pakistan remains an uncertain partner.