In Their Own Words
Understanding Lashkar-e-Tayyaba
Published in September 2019
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-0-19-949521-4 (ISBN)
Description
This pathbreaking volume reveals a little-known aspect of how Lashkar-e-Tayyaba functions in Pakistan and beyond. Only a fraction of LeT's cadres ever see battle: most of them are despatched on nation-wide 'proselytising' (dawa) missions to convert Pakistanis to their particular interpretation of Islam, in support of which LeT has developed a sophisticated propagandist literature. This canon of Islamist texts is the most popular and potent weapon in LeT's
arsenal, and its scrutiny affords insights into how and who the group recruits; LeT's justification for jihad; its vision of itself in global and regional politics; the enemies LeT identifies and the allies it cultivates; and how and where it conducts its operations. Particular attention is paid to the role
that LeT assigns to women by examining those writings which heap extravagant praise upon the mothers of aspirant jihadis, who bless their operations and martyrdom. It is only by understanding LeT's domestic functions as set out in these texts that one can begin to appreciate why Pakistan so fiercely supports it, despite mounting international pressure to disband the group.
arsenal, and its scrutiny affords insights into how and who the group recruits; LeT's justification for jihad; its vision of itself in global and regional politics; the enemies LeT identifies and the allies it cultivates; and how and where it conducts its operations. Particular attention is paid to the role
that LeT assigns to women by examining those writings which heap extravagant praise upon the mothers of aspirant jihadis, who bless their operations and martyrdom. It is only by understanding LeT's domestic functions as set out in these texts that one can begin to appreciate why Pakistan so fiercely supports it, despite mounting international pressure to disband the group.
Reviews / Votes
'Navigating the complexities of one of the world's most ambitious modern Muslim states, Fair brings an impressive thoroughness of research to unpacking the internal doctrines, recruitment strategies, and objectives of Lashkar-e-Tayyaba. With unflinching verve, Fair shows why conflict resolution focusing on bilateral negotiations between India and Pakistan or on de-radicalising militant networks of young men ignore deeper causes of violence.' * Flagg Miller, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of California, Davis * 'No one has done more than Christine Fair to educate the international community about terrorism in Pakistan. Now she opens a window into the mind of Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, providing penetrating, even if disconcerting, insights into a terrorist group that is likely to thrive for a long time to come. This is essential reading for anyone who cares about Pakistan or peace and stability in South Asia.' * Ashley Tellis, Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace * 'Christine Fair has written the definitive volume for understanding Pakistan's most dangerous militant group. Using the group's own publications, she brings us into the world of its operatives and illuminates the strategic thinking of its leaders. Her history is precise and encompassing, her methodology ingenious, her conclusions groundbreaking.' * Jacob Shapiro, Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Princeton University * 'The work stands out for a number of key insights arising from the author's deft handling and close reading of textual sources in Urdu that form part of the vast corpus of literature generated by LeT/JuD since their creation and amalgamation in the late 1980s. No other work... has so skilfully mined the content of these rarely used and little known sources to shed genuine new light on one of the world's most dangerous though little understood militant organizations.In so doing, the author ... makes an original contribution to the literature and successfully unpacks the defining contours of the LeT/JuD's presiding discourse.' * Farzana Shaikh, Associate Fellow, Asia Programme, Chatham House, London * 'This is a scrupulously researched and very well-written account of a highly complex picture, which covers all of the key objectives it sets out to meet. As a detailed book covering everything to do with the LeT organisation, I cannot think of a more useful and readable text. The author is clearly very well-qualified to deliver an account of this organisation, and has offered an objective and scientific study, while not shying-away from strategic criticism of LeT and
the Pakistani state.' * Julian Richards, Co-Director, Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies, University of Buckingham, UK * 14/01/2019
More details
Person
C. Christine Fair is a Provost''s Distinguished Associate Professor in the Security Studies Program within Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, USA.
Content
Dedication
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
2. The Genesis of the Indo-Pakistan Security Competition
3. Pakistan's Creeping Jihad and Expanding Nuclear Umbrella
4. What is the LeT? A Critical Examination
5. Who Are the Soldiers in the Army of the Pure?
6. The Domestic Politics of LeT
7. Dealing with LeT and Escaping Pakistan's Nuclear Coercion
Appendix 1. Notes on Transliteration and Translation
Appendix 2. List of Acronyms
Appendix 3. Glossary of Non-English Words
Notes
Select Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
2. The Genesis of the Indo-Pakistan Security Competition
3. Pakistan's Creeping Jihad and Expanding Nuclear Umbrella
4. What is the LeT? A Critical Examination
5. Who Are the Soldiers in the Army of the Pure?
6. The Domestic Politics of LeT
7. Dealing with LeT and Escaping Pakistan's Nuclear Coercion
Appendix 1. Notes on Transliteration and Translation
Appendix 2. List of Acronyms
Appendix 3. Glossary of Non-English Words
Notes
Select Bibliography
Index