Pakistan, its Neighbours and the West: The Struggle against Terrorism

12:00, 19 Jul 2007
RUSI, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2ET

Link to map: multimap

About the event:

 

The future stability of Pakistan rests to a considerable degree on the stability of its neighbours; the military presence of the Western powers in Afghanistan also plays a crucial role. After 9/11, when the USA led the invasion of Afghanistan as a ‘rogue state’ sponsoring terrorism, Pakistan became its key front line ally, as it had been previously when Afghanistan was occupied by the Soviet Union.

Contrary to the views of some commentators, the strategic interest of Pakistan is linked to the future of a stable, legitimate and independent government in Afghanistan operating in the interests of all the Afghan people. The Taliban pose a danger to Pakistan as a force for destabilisation in a similar way as in Afghanistan. This seminar will address the key questions of the effectiveness of combating extremism in Afghanistan some six years on and that of the Afghan government in building a government of unity and a national army.

Core Themes

• How effective is current Government policy with respect to extremism?
• What are the root causes of radicalism in the region?
• What are the alternative methods that governments could employ to eradicate extremism?

Speakers

• The Rt Hon James Arbuthnot MP
• General (Ret) Jahangir Karamat, Pakistan’s former Army Chief
• Professor Robert G. Wirsing, Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies
• Emmanuel Reinert, Senlis Council Executive Director
  
  

 

Event manager: Lisa Muxworthy - Events Manager, +44 (0) 20 7747 2619