Magnificent Delusions: Pakistan, the United States, and an Epic History of Misunderstanding by Husain HaqqaniMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Hooter: The history of Pakistan-America relations from a Pakistani ambassador's perspective
An interesting perspective on the history of Pakistan and US relations as they have swung decade over decade from its creation to date and how individuals and organisations have used it to their benefit, often relationships winning over logic. The use of some common concerns of not receiving US funding and backing - moderates being toppled over by extremists, Russia taking over the subcontinuent or the Pakistan being the figurehead of Islamic nations especially in the intial boom of petrodollars.
He shared how Pakistan always tried to punch over its weight expecting the US to treat it on par with India after 1971 too and how a lot of geo-political strategies were played out driven by the country's army backed unwritten rule of using US funding to keep a disproportionate defence budget under the concern that India was slighting on the partition and would do anything to erase Pakistan from the world.
Till he isnt involved, the book seems factual and neutral in the description of personalities and the situations but the last leg involving him and the souring of his relationship with Pakistan establushment gets a bit muddled up and doesn't invoke the level of fluency seen earlier in the flow of events.
The complex US-Pakistan relationship in an ever evolving world stage over 70+ years from an almost insider's prism makes this an interesting read.
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