The Causes and Consequences of Extremism in Pakistan

The spread of violent Islamist militancy is destabilizing Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the region. Jihadist groups have been trained, funded, and harbored for decades in Pakistan, primarily engaging in Afghanistan and Kashmir. Increasingly, this expanding network, including affiliations with al Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban, has turned its sights on Pakistan itself. A vacuum of governance and security in the tribal regions has fueled their proliferation, allowing them to control territory in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and other parts of the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP), and launching attacks on political, civilian, and military targets throughout Pakistan. Military engagement by Pakistani security forces has been unable to destroy or even contain the insurgency, and unilateral U.S. airstrikes have strained relations and alienated the civilian population.

Our panelists will discuss the root causes and spread of militancy in Pakistan, with particular focus on the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, the conflict in the Swat Valley, and growing Punjabi militancy. Current efforts by the government of Pakistan and the United States will be discussed, as well as recommendations for addressing the insurgency.