tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38085367.post8976179579378102141..comments2024-03-19T09:06:21.507-04:00Comments on Irtiqa: Blogging from Pakistan: Atran on Afghan-Pakistan problemSalman Hameedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04327330113822656571noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38085367.post-60364272436627390052009-12-17T04:54:15.999-05:002009-12-17T04:54:15.999-05:00Don,
I was thinking that something was missing fro...Don,<br />I was thinking that something was missing from the Atran piece. It is good for dealing with groups like Al Qaeeda. However, his analysis neglects geo-political issues completely - for example the play between Pakistan and India in Afghanistan and the complex role that Taliban plays in this equation. I think Atran's model works well as a closed-box model. I think Pervez's analysis brings in the larger political reality - and that may be more in line with the presence of more US troops in Afghanistan. More on this coming up.Salman Hameedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04327330113822656571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38085367.post-4786779778003706022009-12-16T12:21:08.813-05:002009-12-16T12:21:08.813-05:00This makes a good companion piece to Pervez' l...This makes a good companion piece to Pervez' lunch talk a few months back. Atran argues that US presence may be more of a binding force for the Taliban, and Pervez argued that it might be a binding force for regional governments. Atran is arguing for a different approach rather than a withdrawl, though; I wonder what Hoodbhoy would have to say about such an approach.<br /><br />Of course, I can't disagree with the idea that the US should be going for a more culturally appropriate strategy. I hope that Atran's point regarding the differential persuasive power of material wealth and allegiance to tribal norms has some influence in the circles that matter.Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02733799054106197853noreply@blogger.com