Brookings Press Blog

Ambassador Howard B. Schaffer to Speak on the U.S. and India

On Wednesday, October 14, Howard B. Schaffer, author of The Limits of Influence: America’s Role in Kashmir, and his wife Ambassador Teresita C. Schaffer, author of India and the United States in the 21st Century: Reinventing Partnership, will be the featured guests at a reception and book signing cosponsored by the Asia Society and the Women’s National Democratic Club in Washington, D.C. They will also participate in a discussion of “The US and India: Deepening Ties, Resolving Issues” moderated by Jack Garrity, executive director of the Asia Society Washington.

Ambassador Howard B. Schaffer is a retired U.S. Foreign Service officer who spent   much of his 36-year career dealing with U.S. relations with South Asia. He served as Ambassador to Bangladesh (1984-87) and Political Counselor in India (1977-79) and Pakistan (1974-77), and he was twice Deputy Assistant Secretary of State responsible for South Asian affairs. He became Director of Studies at the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, Georgetown University in 1995. Ambassador Teresita C. Schaffer has been with Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) since 1998 after a 30-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service. She devoted most of her career to international economic issues and to South Asia, serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia (1989-92), U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka (1992-95), and Director of the Foreign Service Institute (1995-97).

- Register for the event.

- Learn more about The Limits of Influence.

How the Kashmir Dispute Affects Security in South Asia

Author Howard B. Schaffer reveals the limits of American influence in the Kashmir region

The escalating dispute in the Kashmir region proves a threat to security in South-Asia and to the United States. In an interview with the Council on Foreign Relations, former ambassador to Bangladesh and author of The Limits of Influence: America's Role in Kashmir, Howard Shaffer discloses the growing dangers of the conflict between India and Pakistan, warning that the dispute may instigate the emergence of a potential nuclear war. He urges independent settlement in both areas to promote India-Pakistan relations.

As for Washington’s influence, Schaffer states, "If Washington does find a propitious opportunity to play a more active role, the settlement it promotes should call for making the Line of Control a permanent border that is porous; autonomy for Kashmiris on both sides; and joint institutions on an all-Kashmir basis."

Howard B. Schaffer has spent thirty-six years as an officer of the U.S Foreign Service, through which he was appointed ambassador to Bangladesh. Ambassador Schaffer currently teaches and writes at Georgetown University and widely recognized as a leading American specialist on South Asia. He is the author of highly regarded biographies of two American diplomats who served as ambassadors to India at times when Washington was deeply involved in efforts to resolve the Kashmir dispute. They were published as Chester Bowles: New Dealer in the Cold War (Harvard University Press, 1993) and Ellsworth Bunker: Global Troubleshooter, Vietnam Hawk (University of North Carolina Press, 2003). Schaffer is also the author of many articles on South Asian matters.

- Learn more about The Limits of Influence

- Read the complete interview with the Council on Foreign Relations

The Limits of Influence: America’s Role in Kashmir

India Abroad interviews author Howard Schaffer

In an interview with India Abroad [pdf], Former ambassador to Bangladesh Howard B. Schaffer explains the limits of America’s influence in the highly disputed Kashmir region since 1947 until today.

Schaffer reveals that America’s role in the Kashmir region during the 1940s to 1960s developed a settlement that was limited, unsuccessful, and focused on crisis-management. He recommends that both India and Pakistan develop strong governments in order for the region to advance considerably. Schaffer adds that the United States might be of assistance only if this is achieved.

“Howard Schaffer’s superb book on Kashmir explains the effect it has had not only on India-Pakistan relations, but also on the Cold War and the growth of radical Islam. The author skillfully uses the historical narrative as a lead-in to the persuasive final chapter on why the Obama administration should take a major role in helping solve the Kashmir dispute,” says Former US envoy to Pakistan, Robert B. Oakley.

Schaffer imparts 36 years of expertise on South Asia into his book, The Limits of Influence, and is currently the Deputy Director of the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University.

- Learn more about The Limits of Influence

- Read the India Abroad interview [pdf]

One Sunday, Two Reviews in NYTBR

The Search for al Qaeda and Restoring the Balance reviewed 1/18

The January 18th issue of the New York Times Book Review includes reviews of The Search for Al Qaeda and Restoring the Balance. From the review of The Search for Al Qaeda by Bruce Riedel and The Duel by Tariq Ali:

The pros and cons of continuing or escalating the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan can be gleaned from two recent books, “The Search for Al Qaeda” by Bruce Riedel, a former C.I.A. analyst and adviser to three presidents, and “The Duel” by Tariq Ali. One thing they agree on—and which was underscored by the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai—is that Pakistan is going to be at the forefront of foreign policy concerns for the Obama administration.

. . .

Riedel manages to distill the essence of Al Qaeda in just 150 pages. Among other things, he notes that the Islamic fundamentalists do not hate America’s values, only its policies.

. . .

Which man is right, which one wrong? Whatever the case, their books are a starting point for a much-needed debate.

From the review of Restoring the Balance by Richard Haass and Martin Indyk:

Beginning in July 2007, two of this country’s pre-eminent Middle East policy research institutions, both with close ties to the incoming administration, the Saban Center at the Brookings Institution and the Council on Foreign Relations, took the rare step of joining forces and asking 15 of their scholars to focus on the crucial challenges facing the next president. The results are collected in “Restoring the Balance,” a thoughtful and nicely structured collection of seven essays that examine the Iranian challenge and its many parts.

. . .

The Middle East is rich in awkward realities. Still, whether or not this plan will succeed, much of it will probably be attempted. In that sense, “Restoring the Balance” is a very useful and readable introduction to the thinking beyond the coming shift.

- Read "War Room Debate", the review including The Search for al Qaeda, by Ray Bonner

- Learn more about The Search for al Qaeda

- Read "Mission to Tehran", the review of Restoring the Balance, by Ethan Bronner

- Learn more about Restoring the Balance

The Search for al Qaeda Featured in Newsweek

John Barry interviews author Bruce Riedel

This latest issue of Newsweek features an interview with Bruce Riedel, author of The Search for al Qaeda: Its Leadership, Ideology, and Future:

Bruce Riedel was in the White House Situation Room on 9/11. For 30 years he was one of the CIA's senior analysts of the Middle East, rising to be a special assistant to the President on the National Security Council staff. Now he has written an analysis of Al Qaeda—and a critique of America's strategy in combating it. He outlined his concerns to NEWSWEEK's John Barry.

NEWSWEEK: Why this book now?
Bruce Riedel: I starting writing this book two years when I retired from CIA, because I think Al Qaeda is still the No. 1 threat to America; but there is still much that is misunderstood or not understood about the nature of that threat.

- Read the Newsweek article by John Barry, "How to Fight Al Qaeda Now: An Ex-CIA analyst talks about the terrorists’ power—and their vulnerabilities".

- Learn more about The Search for al Qaeda.

Four Crises and a Peace Process

Book, Event Examines American Engagement with India and Pakistan

While many assume that the era of India-Pakistan crisis is over, the new Brookings book Four Crises and a Peace Process questions whether new flashpoints might lie just ahead. Authors P.R. Chari, Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema, and Brookings senior fellow Stephen P. Cohen explore this critical question, made even more urgent by the current political turmoil in Pakistan.

Four Crises … focuses on four contained conflicts on the subcontinent: the “Brasstacks” crisis of 1986-1987, the Compound Crisis of 1990, the Kargil Conflict of 1999, and the Border Confrontation Crisis of 2001-02. All four of the crises are notable because any one could have escalated into a large-scale conflict—or even all-out war—and three of these conflicts took place after India and Pakistan had gone nuclear.

Brookings launched this book last week with an event featuring Cohen; Brookings senior fellow Peter W. Rodman; Teresita Schaffer, director of the South Asia Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies; and Ashley Tellis, Senior Associate, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Ambassador Schaffer said this about the book:

At a time when all of us South Asia watchers are beating our gums daily and more about Pakistan and Afghanistan, it is a useful reminder that the old standby India-Pakistan issue is still with us, that it is an old standby, but that it changes through time and sometimes in significant ways.

Dr. Tellis complimented the authors on “truly an excellent book” and said:

I read it over the Thanksgiving break, and I had read all the previous studies that had been done which fed into the book. This is really, in some sense, much better than the previous work because you have an opportunity to look at four crises in a synoptic fashion, and so you can actually tease out elements of comparison and salient themes that come through the book very, very clearly. It’s written in a wonderful fashion, and I think the organization is absolutely superb with respect to the variables the authors are trying to tease out of the four crises that they have investigated.

- Check out the full event transcript.

- Learn more about Four Crises and a Peace Process.

- Read about Four Crises and a Peace Process in The Daily Times of Pakistan.

Book Launch Bonanza

Three new release launches and a sneak peek at Red and Blue Nation? Vol. II in the coming week

Bouncing right back from turkey overload, Brookings is hosting three new book release launches through early next week, with a discussion on a forthcoming title in the mix for good measure. You can register for these public events at the links below.

• Book launch for Four Crises and a Peace Process: American Engagement with India and Pakistan by P.R. Chari, Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema, and Brookings Senior Fellow Stephen P. Cohen - Tuesday, November 27 at 9:30 a.m. Read the full event transcript here.
• Book launch for Blindside: How to Anticipate Forcing Events and Wild Cards in Global Politics edited by Francis Fukuyama - Wednesday, November 28 at 2 p.m. Read the full event transcript here.
• Discussion of Peter Beinart’s chapter on partisan polarization in the United States and its effect on foreign policy in the forthcoming Red and Blue Nation? Volume II: Consequences and Correction of America’s Polarized Politics edited by Pietro S. Nivola and David W. Brady - Friday, November 30 at 10 a.m.
• Book launch for Collapse of an Empire: Lessons for Modern Russia by Yegor Gaidar, former prime minister of Russia - Monday, December 3 at 1 p.m.

See you there!

The Peninsula Question

An intensive record of attempts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula

In October 2002 the United States confronted North Korea with its suspicions that Kim Jong-il’s regime was enriching uranium, in violation of the existing Agreed Framework established during the Clinton administration. In The Peninsula Question, international journalist Yoichi Funabashi chronicles in detail this dangerous event as well as ensuing attempts during the Six-Party talks to engage with North Korea. In turn, he analyzes the upshot of external responses to North Korea.

Funabashi gathered his research through a wealth of in-depth interviews with more than 160 diplomats and decision makers from China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States. Using this foundation of unique primary sources, he exercises his journalistic skills to integrate separate storylines and establish an understandable chronicle of subsequent events. In addition, Funabashi evaluates both the cognitive and emotive levels of officials’ responses. In doing so, he illustrates how the individual efforts of these major powers laid the groundwork for multilateral negotiations, first as the trilateral meeting and then as the Six-Party Talks.

The Peninsula Question provides a window of understanding on the historical, geopolitical, and security concerns at play on the Korean peninsula. This well-crafted study of the Korean nuclear crisis focuses on a larger political framework, rather than simply U.S. relations with North Korea. It pays special attention to China's dealings with Pyongyang, providing rare insights into the decision-making processes of Beijing. This is an important, authoritative resource for understanding the crisis in Korea and diplomacy in Northeast Asia.

- Learn more about The Peninsula Question.

Bombing Further Threatens Pakistan’s Stability

Two Brookings Press books address the complexities of Pakistan’s political landscape

Pakistan is a more important country than ever, due in large part to its position and role in the War on Terror. The major bombing two weeks ago increases the threat to both the country’s infrastructure and the safety of upcoming elections.

Benazir Bhutto—leader of Pakistan People’s Party and former prime minister—returned to the country seeking a potential power-sharing arrangement with President Musharraf. However, her tragic arrival discouraged further attempts to garner support when a suicide bombing decimated Bhutto’s homecoming procession, killing over 100 of her fellow Pakistanis.

This latest spasm of violence further underlines the challenges that confront Pakistan’s leadership, and it begs the question of who will shape its political landscape and role in the world. In order to gain a better grasp on Pakistan’s history and politics, consult these important Brookings books: The Idea of Pakistan and Demystifying Kashmir.

The Idea of Pakistan offers a panoramic portrait of this complex country and serves as an essential tool for understanding its history, development, and possible future. Demystifying Kashmir examines Pakistan’s relationship with neighboring states and frames the ongoing conflict over Kashmir as a political battle of statemaking between India and Pakistan.

- Read “Pakistan's Bhutto Receives New Threat” on washingtonpost.com.

- Learn more about The Idea of Pakistan.

- Learn more about Demystifying Kashmir.

Turmoil in Burma

As the military junta's crackdown begins, the U.S. calls for use of "diplomatic and economic leverage to help the Burmese people reclaim their freedom"

Burma's military junta, which is known for its human rights violations—including the restriction of basic freedoms, the persecution of ethnic minorities, and forced child labor—is clashing with Buddhist monks and other peaceful demonstrators. In a scene reminiscent of Burma's student uprising of 1988, which ultimately resulted in bloodshed at the hands of the military, thousands of individuals have taken to the streets to protest the repressive regime.

While there were no reports of violence in the initial weeks of the current protests, the military government announced on Tuesday that a curfew would be imposed. They have since cracked down on protesters, with reported use of tear gas, clubs, and bullets, killing several protesters and arresting hundreds more.

In his speech this week to the United Nations General Assembly, President Bush announced that the United States is placing tighter sanctions on the military junta in Burma, also known as Myanmar, and he called upon other countries to "use their diplomatic and economic leverage to help the Burmese people reclaim their freedom."

In Worst of the Worst: Dealing with Repressive and Rogue Nations, a new Brookings book edited by Robert I. Rotberg, the authors present an innovative, transparent approach to identifying the world’s most repressive regimes, and setting policy priorities in order to address the injustice that the repressive nations inflict. In her chapter on Burma, Priscilla Clapp, former chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in Burma, describes the country as the "poster child for entrenched repression." She explains that "the creation of a stable democracy in Burma will require a total overhaul of government and the development of civil society and the institutions of pluralistic democracy" rather than an abrupt or violent transition, which would ultimately lead to the continuation of authoritative military rule.

For a more detailed analysis of Burma's history and politics, check out Burma: Prospects for a Democratic Future, also edited by Rotberg. This book examines the origins and consequences of Burma's policies from military, political, social, and economic perspectives.

- Learn more about Worst of the Worst.

- Learn more about Burma: Prospects for a Democratic Future.

(Photo by racoles.  Some rights reserved.)