Ahmed Rashid
Ahmed Rashid: A Pioneer Journalist and Author on Afghanistan and Pakistan
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Ahmed Rashid is a renowned Pakistani journalist and author, best known for his insightful writings on the complex geopolitics of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born in 1947, Ahmed Rashid passed away on September 29, 2021, leaving behind an enduring legacy as one of the most respected voices on South Asian politics.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Ahmed Rashid was a Pakistani national with a career spanning over four decades as a journalist, author, and commentator. He worked for several prominent international news organizations, including BBC, ABC News, and Al Jazeera, before focusing on his writing.
Early Life and Background
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Rashid's interest in journalism began at an early age. Growing up in Karachi, Pakistan, he was exposed to the country's tumultuous history and witnessed firsthand the impact of politics on everyday lives. His family background, with roots in both Afghanistan and India, likely influenced his deep understanding of the region's complexities.
Major Accomplishments
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Rashid's notable achievements include:
Award-winning journalism: He won several awards for his investigative reporting on human rights abuses in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Bestselling author: His books, such as "Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia" and "Descent into Chaos: The U.S. and the Disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Guantanamo", became international bestsellers and critically acclaimed for their depth of analysis.
Expert commentator: Rashid frequently appeared on major news networks, including BBC, CNN, and NPR, providing insightful commentary on regional politics.Notable Works or Actions
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Rashid's writing often explored the intricate relationships between politics, culture, and economy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Some of his notable works include:
"Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia" (2000): This book exposed the Taliban's connections to oil interests and Islamic fundamentalism.
"Descent into Chaos: The U.S. and the Disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Guantanamo" (2008): In this comprehensive analysis, Rashid examined the consequences of the US-led interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq.Impact and Legacy
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Ahmed Rashid's work had a profound impact on the global understanding of South Asian politics. His writing:
Shaped public opinion: Through his books and media appearances, Rashid helped shape public perception of the complexities in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Influenced policy decisions: Policymakers often cited Rashid's work as a valuable resource for understanding regional dynamics.
Inspired new voices: His legacy has inspired a new generation of journalists and authors to tackle complex issues with courage and nuance.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Ahmed Rashid's enduring influence stems from his:
Unparalleled access: As a seasoned journalist, he developed extensive networks within the region, allowing him to provide unique insights into high-stakes politics.
Rigorous analysis: His writing and commentary were marked by meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, earning him respect among policymakers, academics, and readers worldwide.
Through his remarkable career, Ahmed Rashid leaves behind a rich legacy as a trailblazing journalist and author. His work continues to inspire new voices in the world of journalism and international relations, ensuring his impact will be felt for generations to come.
Quotes by Ahmed Rashid
Ahmed Rashid's insights on:
The idea of a permanent U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, as opposed to an economic presence, is going to create a new wave of hostility toward the United States.
There's a sense of desperation in Afghanistan because of the lack of funding and the fact that the U.S. only has a one-track military strategy. It doesn't have an economic and political game plan.
The strategy for peace-building in Afghanistan is economic aid, reconstruction, international security forces. On those lines, the U.S. has been extremely slow. And it has even blocked expanding security forces from Kabul to other cities.
There is no way the Americans are going to be able to carry out a full scale war against Iraq and at the same time maintain the same kind of pressure on the Al Qaeda network in countries as diverse as Indonesia, Philippines, and Pakistan, as well as in Europe.
What everyone underestimated was the acute unpopularity of the Taliban, even in the Pashtun areas. People like myself were saying the Taliban would be driven out very swiftly from the north of Afghanistan, but given that their main support base was in the Pashtun belt, there would be greater resistance there. That didn't happen. The Taliban had become deeply unpopular and were actually discarded by the Pashtun population almost as quickly as they were in the north. I don't see the Taliban coming back in any way.
The fact that there are no longer large units of Al Qaeda running around means you don't need B-52s. You need intelligence and special forces. And, most importantly, you need to resurrect Afghanistan from what is literally the graveyard of countries and transform it into a normal country, which the Afghans want.
The biggest mistake Barack Obama could have made is to change quite a few things in his Afghanistan policy. He increased the number of troops and at the same time set the US withdrawal date to 2014. Now the United States has to ensure that Afghanistan does not immediately collapse after being left to itself in 2014.
The United States only knows one form of intervention and that is the military one. Everything depends on drawn weapons. We should, however, develop a wider scope of action. And we should learn to be patient.
Dysfunctional states like Afghanistan need business people who are deeply rooted in their country and invest in it. They can add stability. But all development programs of the United States and the European countries unfortunately exclude the private sector, which could make investments based on profitability.
Our Pakistan elites are spoiled by permanent foreign aid and therefore find it difficult to change course. Pakistan needs someone who stands up and says: Fundamentalism is bad, capitalism is good. This region harbors enormous potential. Pakistan could become the hub for the energy that is transported from Central Asia to South Asia. That could change the whole region.