Book Reviews

This section offers reviews of books written on global politics, international relations, and Pakistan.

Pakistan—The Balochistan Conundrum by Tilak Devasher

Written by Arooj Saghir 3:02 pm

In “Pakistan-The Balochistan Conundrum,” Tilak Devasher analyzes the Balochistan issue and emphasizes the shortcomings of the Pakistani government. He paints a twisted portrait of pain and exclusion that the Baloch have allegedly suffered at the hands of Pakistan’s armed forces. Arooj Saghir provides a counter-narrative by highlighting the biased statements and lack of evidence from the far-right nationalist author.
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Global Governance: Why? What? Whither?

Written by Ayesha Firdous 6:18 pm

In “Global Governance: Why? What? Whither,” Thomas G. Weiss explores the concept of a world without a global government and its implications for the future. He identifies five critical gaps in global governance: knowledge, normative, policy, institutional, and compliance gaps. Although a well-written and researched book overall, Ayesha Firdous notes that it still has some shortcomings.
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The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire

Written by Azfar Khan Niazi 5:00 pm

‘The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire’ by the great Scottish Historian, William Dalrymple is the story of the East India Company’s rule and plunders in the Indian Subcontinent. William Dalrymple has a great capability to reflect on the events of European colonization in the Indian subcontinent and being a very worthy Historian and critical raconteur of historical anecdotes, he is astute in captivating the attentions of his readers. ‘The Anarchy’ is one the precedents of his remarkable work on the rise of the East India Company and its exploitation of the Indian people in a vicious way.
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On Palestine by Noam Chomsky & Ilan Pappé

Written by Nawal Baloch 6:30 pm

The book ‘On Palestine’ is a conversation between two renowned professors Noam Chomsky and Ilan Pappe which includes talks, interviews, and lectures. Both eminent personalities discuss various aspects of the Israel-Palestine conflict which gives the reader a new insight and perspective on the illegal occupation and land grab by Israel.
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No Turning Back: Life, Loss, and Hope in Wartime Syria

Written by Ayesha Firdous 4:49 pm

No Turning Back: Life, Loss, and Hope in Wartime Syria by Rania Abouzeid is a poignant publication on the individual realities of Syria. The author Ayesha Firdous writes a succinct review encapsulating the essence of the book. She praises Rania Abouzeid’s dedication and bravery as the author traipsed into the warzone time and again to document the harsh truths.
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The Siege of Mecca: The Forgotten Uprising in Islam’s Holiest Shrine and the Birth of Al-Qaeda

Written by Khawaja Arsalan 5:29 pm

Written by Yaroslav Trofimov, the book “The Siege of Mecca: The Forgotten Uprising in Islam’s Holiest Shrine and the Birth of Al-Qaeda” was published in 2007. Trofimov aptly describes an in-depth historical context of the socio-political and religious landscape of Saudi Arabia and details the seizure of the Grand Mosque which took place in 1979. The book is a must-read if you want a neutral detailed explanation of this unfortunate takeover with a fact-based backstory.
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Destined for War: Can America and China Escape the Thucydides’s Trap

Written by Muhammad Shehryar 9:07 pm

Destined for War is a strategic compass for statesmen and is essential reading for students and researchers who are studying the complexities of great power politics. Allison, in this book, has given clues as to how the struggle between China and the US can end in war. The book has been a captivating exploration of the Thucydides Trap, offering profound insights into the challenges these two global powers face and the potential consequences of failing to navigate these challenges successfully. To support the claims, Alison has provided sixteen cases from the last 500 years in which a rising power challenged an existing power, of which 12 ended in war. The dynamics of the politics of the contemporary world are very different from the politics before the two World Wars because of nuclear weapons. If things are not managed diplomatically, the end of both powers could be catastrophic.
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The Power of Geography

Written by Sadia Iqbal 7:42 pm

Tim Marshall, a seasoned journalist, explores the geopolitical impact of geography in “The Power of Geography.” Focusing on ten key regions, including Australia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Greece, Türkiye, the Sahel, Ethiopia, Spain, and Space, Marshall delves into historical contexts and current challenges. He connects geography with political choices and global dynamics.
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Womansplaining by Sherry Rehman

Written by Wajeeha Batool 7:16 pm

Sherry Rehman’s ‘Womansplaining’ narrates the history of the women’s rights movement, tracing its origins in the 1980s, the establishment of the Women’s Action Forum (WAF), and its opposition to the misguided Islamization project until Zia’s demise in 1988. It also discusses the introduction of the Lady Health Workers (LHW) Program in 1994 and the ongoing challenges faced by post-millennial activism.
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Islam, Ethnicity, and Power Politics: Constructing Pakistan’s National Identity by Rasul Bakhsh Rais

Written by Seher Intikhab 7:15 pm

Islam, Ethnicity, and Power Politics by Rasul Bakhsh Rais analyzes the relationship between the issue of identity, power politics and competing ideologies in Pakistan. Rais illustrates how Islam has been used to legitimize political power, how ethnic identities have been mobilized for political purposes, and how these dynamics have shaped the political landscape of Pakistan.
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Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India

Written by Fatima Mazhar 8:36 pm

Shashi Tharoor’s “Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India” is a provocative and insightful analysis of British colonial rule in India. Tharoor, the accomplished author, politician, and ex-diplomat, challenges popular narratives that romanticize and glorify colonialism by offering an honest assessment of the British Raj. He highlights the economic exploitation, deindustrialization, famines, and political manipulation that took place under British rule in India.
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Orientalism by Edward Said

Written by Khadija Kafeel 9:23 pm

Orientalism, a seminal book penned by eminent writer Edward W. Said, is renowned across the globe for its overwhelming and perceptive critique of Orientalist discourse. Edward Said has delineated the West’s contemptuous and disdainful depiction of the East (Orient) as irrational, credulous, and exotic. The book vehemently censures the prevalent stereotypes, biases, and essentializations that have sculpted the Western outlook on the Orient. He alleges that the imaginative construction of “we vs they” has fulfilled the interests of the West, providing a rationale for western imperialism, despoilment, and cultural preeminence.
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Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power

Written by Hira Shabir 7:00 pm

“Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power” by Robert Kaplan is a captivating exploration of the geopolitics, history, and culture of the Indian Ocean. Published in 2010, the book seamlessly weaves together Kaplan’s personal travel experiences with strategic analysis and geopolitical insights. The title cleverly draws parallels between the region’s unpredictability and the monsoon, underscoring its significance in global power dynamics. Overall, it serves as a concise guide to understanding the past, present, and future of this crucial region
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The New Confessions of an Economic Hitman

Written by Khawaja Arsalan 8:26 pm

John Perkins’ The New Confessions of an Economic Hitman was published in 2004 as an unofficial sequel to Confessions of an Economic Hitman. It is a thought-provoking and eye-opening autobiography that shares the writer’s personal experience as an economic hitman. It provides an in-depth understanding of world politics and international financial system manipulations to propagate the Super Powers’ hegemony across the globe. The book takes the readers through a journey, starting with the author’s childhood life, and how he grew into becoming an economic hitman during the ’70s and ’80s. Perkins later became a whistleblower, revealing the strategies used by the US and international organizations to lure underprivileged nations into debt traps to increase their influence across the globe.
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Armed Coexistence: The Dynamics of Intractable Sino-Indian Border Dispute

Written by Mehmoona Shahzad 7:32 pm

By applying neoclassical realism to the China-India border conflict, Stephen P. Westcott sets out on a path to provide a clear understanding of the issue. In his book “Armed Coexistence: The Dynamics of Intractable Sino-Indian Border Dispute,” he analyzes the two neighboring states’ approach to conflict resolution. Rather than escalating tensions or seeking a compromise, both China and India tenaciously cling to the status quo. Their persistence to uphold the status quo has ensured that the Sino-Indian conflict remains unresolved, despite periodic border clashes and numerous rounds of negotiations.
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The International Responsibility of International Organisations

Written by Memoona Nasir 8:30 pm

Moritz P. Moelle ponders the decades-old question of whether or not collective responsibility and accountability should exist in the peacekeeping missions of international organizations. His book, “The International Responsibility of International Organisations,” addresses the intricacies involved in the conduct of international organizations through a comprehensive analysis of both the UN Charter and the International Law Commission’s Articles on Responsibility of International Organizations (ARIO). The book further encompasses Moelle’s idea of normative control to foster joint responsibility of international and regional organizations.
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A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas

Written by Saleem Abbas 7:00 pm

Ian Talbot’s “A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas” provides a thorough analysis of the political, social, and cultural changes that have occurred in South Asia from the colonial period to the present. Through his extensive study and analysis of the region, Talbot highlights nationalism, border disputes, sectarian and ethnic violence, and economic development.
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