Comments on: FDL Book Salon Welcomes Nicholas Schmidle, To Live or to Perish Forever: Two Tumultuous Years in Pakistan

By: Nick Schmidle

Nick Schmidle — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:03:11 +0000

many thanks to russ and bev and everyone else for tuning in. if you’re interested in keeping up with book events and reviews and such, you can check my website www.nicholasschmidle.com or FB page. thanks again for your interest in me and my work!

By: Nick Schmidle

Nick Schmidle — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:01:47 +0000

thanks russ. this is a great question to end on. you know, as i talk to people who have read the book, they describe their impression of pakistan (after reading the book) as doomed and headed to failure. i don’t think that. i think the overall narrative of pakistan and the problems is faces are sometimes depressing, but the people are so incredibly resilient and warm and hospitable. i try to bring them to life and give them the color and dynamism they deserve in the book. and you know what? just when the taliban seemed like they were ready to move on the capital two months ago, we saw a massive sea change in public opinion and the army suddenly take the problem seriously. my concern is that problems – whether taliban or ethnic insurgencies or the economy (which was bailed out by the IMF last year) – are allowed to gather strength. but i also trust that, once on the edge, pakistanis will always surprise us with their resolve.

By: libbyliberal

libbyliberal — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:01:30 +0000

Thanks, Russ. :) So busy composing, while the answers are flowing at me.

By: Russ Wellen

Russ Wellen — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:00:34 +0000

Catch Nick’s last answer, Libby.

By: libbyliberal

libbyliberal — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:00:28 +0000

Thanks, guys. Awesome salon.

By: libbyliberal

libbyliberal — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:59:02 +0000

Nick or Russ. What is attitude toward US re hearts and minds. Have the exhibits of Taliban brutality alienated the Pakistani civilians to an extent to soften attitude toward the West and its chase of terrorists? Or have the drones civilian casualties and refugee situation alienated them. Hearts and minds? Or is it factionalized so much as you implied, Nick.

What is the continuum of education and sophistication, etc., in Pakistan. Rural and urban people? Poverty level. Drug problems there? Opium crops?

Educated women from religious families. Do they feel conflicted? How do they feel about Western women and culture?

Oh yes, and the refugee situation! 2 million refugees already! What is that doing.

By: Russ Wellen

Russ Wellen — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:58:45 +0000

Thanks, Nick and Bev. Catch you on C-SPAN, Nick.

By: Nick Schmidle

Nick Schmidle — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:57:08 +0000

there’s a crucial distinction to understand about the image of the taliban in public eyes. many pakistanis like the “idea” of the taliban as basic, righteous muslims, who are perhaps a bit backwards and misguided, but whose hearts are nonetheless in the right place. but few pakistanis actually like the guys with the turbans and the beards and the guns. in that sense, the taliban are their own worst enemy. as you said, them burning girls schools is just shooting themselves in the foot. sure, they can flex their muscles and show their strength, but they are ultimately just alienating the population who they need for support.

as for the question of theocracy, i think that pakistanis want to live according to sharia, that’s it. they don’t want to be governed by clerics or live under a taliban state. but they want a government that is just and accountable. for too long, they haven’t had that, and that’s why the idea of the taliban was appealing.

By: BevW

BevW — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:55:23 +0000

As we come to the end of this Book Salon,

Nick, Thank you for stopping by the Lake and spending the afternoon with us discussing your new book and Pakistan.

Russ, Thank you very much for Hosting this great Book Salon.

Everyone, if you haven’t bought Nick’s book yet, here is a link.

Thanks all.

By: Russ Wellen

Russ Wellen — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:53:07 +0000

When you’re ready, Nicholas, my wind-up question. . .

The picture you paint of Pakistan is of a nation suffering near Somali-like levels of unrest and conflict. Yet you disagree with “those who said that ethnic tension, the Taliban, economic crises, years of military dictatorship, the lack of a cohesive identity and so on would eventually lead to Pakistan’s breakup. … It seemed more likely that Pakistan would continue to exists in a perpetual state of frenzied dysfunction; alive, but always appearing to be on the verge of perishing.” Just what is it about the Pakistanis that will preserve them from the proverbial “failed state”?