Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within | Shuja Nawaz

Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within – The Definitive Study of Pakistan’s Military Power

Introduction: Unraveling Pakistan’s Most Powerful Institution

Shuja Nawaz’s Crossed Swords is the most thorough and authoritative analysis of the Pakistan Army and its pivotal influence in the country’s politics, foreign diplomacy, and societal structure. Utilizing unprecedented access to military officials and classified materials, this book uncovers how the army has influencedand still governsPakistan’s trajectory.

Why This Book is Essential

• The initial insider narrative by a journalist with extensive military ties
• Encompasses 1947 to current times – From Partition to the War on Terror
• Illuminates civil-military discord – The ways in which generals surpass elected figures
• Indispensable for comprehending Pakistan’s involvement in Afghanistan, conflicts with India, and nuclear strategies

Key Themes & Explosive Revelations

1. The Army’s Political Takeover (1947-1977)

• Initial coups: The establishment of dictatorship by Ayub Khan (1958) and Yahya Khan (1969)
• 1971 Bangladesh catastrophe: The military’s critical errors during the India war
• Zulfikar Bhutto’s fall: His attemptsand failuresto gain control over the generals

2. The Zia-ul-Haq Era (1977-1988): Islamization & Proxy Wars

• US-Pakistan partnership: CIA-ISI collaboration during the Afghan jihad against the Soviets
• Nuclear initiative: Pakistan’s covert progression towards acquiring the bomb despite sanctions
• Formation of jihadist factions: The emergence of the Taliban and anti-India militant organizations

3. The Post-9/11 Dilemma (2001-Present)

• Musharraf’s dual strategy: Receiving US funding while providing refuge to the Taliban
• Kayani & Raheel Sharif: Strategies employed by the army to weaken civilian governments
• Imran Khan’s removal: Indicators of the military’s involvement in regime alteration (2022)

Why This Book Matters Today

• Clarifies Pakistan’s instability – The reasons behind the continual failure of democracy
• Unravels the military’s economic domain – The army’s control over enterprises, land, and media
• Vital for India-Pakistan hostilities – RAW versus ISI covert battles, Kashmir strategies
• Consequences in Afghanistan – How Pakistan’s "good Taliban, bad Taliban" approach failed

Who Should Read This?

• South Asia experts – The premier text on Pakistan’s security framework
• Journalists & diplomats – Essential for grasping the army’s covert influence
• Military historians – In-depth narratives of conflicts with India (1965, 1971, 1999)
• General audience – A captivating chronicle of coups, espionage, and nuclear brinkmanship

Criticisms (Minor Flaws)

• Potential for further updates – Should include information on Bajwa-Faiz events (2020-23)
• ISI’s international operations – More details on the Middle East, China-Pakistan relationship would be beneficial
• Occasionally dense – Military terminology could pose challenges for casual readers

Final Verdict: The Bible of Pakistan Military Studies

Nawaz’s work remains the most referenced, esteemed examination of the Pakistan army’s operations. It transcends mere historical narrationit serves as a cautionary tale regarding unchecked militarization.