Around the world Quote by Ahmed Rashid
““Thirdly, Casey committed CIA support to a long-standing ISI initiative to recruit radical Muslims from around the world to come to Pakistan and fight with the Afghan Mujaheddin. The ISI had encouraged this since 1982 and by now all the other players had their reasons for supporting the idea. President Zia aimed to cement Islamic unity, turn Pakistan into the leader of the Muslim world and foster an Islamic opposition in Central Asia. Washington wanted to demonstrate that the entire Muslim world was fighting the Soviet Union alongside the Afghans and their American benefactors.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Pakistan: A Hard Country, 2011
U.S. and Pakistani intelligence cooperated to mobilize foreign fighters against the Soviets, intertwining geopolitical goals with ideological ambitions.
In simple terms: US and Pakistan worked together to recruit foreign fighters against Soviets.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how strategic alliances can blur moral lines.
Themes
geopolitics
military
ideology
foreign policy
religion
Mood
cautious
critical
analytical
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- counterinsurgency
- foreign recruitment
- regional power dynamics
- ideological mobilization
Key Concepts
Cold War
proxy war
statecraft
radicalization
Questions to Reflect On
- What unintended consequences arise from proxy wars?
- How do ideological motives affect strategic decisions?
A Different Perspective
Such cooperation often fuels long‑term instability and blowback.
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