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Conspiracy theories do not lead to effective policy: Anatol Lieven

* Professor says US has never successfully instigated regime change in Pakistan

Daily Times Monitor

LAHORE: Failed policies and poor strategic choices have overstretched the American military and economy, argues Anatol Lieven, professor at the Department of War Studies, Kings College, London.

The professor visited Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) on September 5 and gave a lecture on “American Policy towards South Asia”.

Professor Anatol criticised the United States’ ‘war on terror’. In his view, the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq demonstrate the desire of the US to remain a global hegemonic power. This, he said, is being challenged by the resurgence of Russia and China, and the failure of the Iraq war. The current economic crisis and the upcoming presidential election in the US may prompt a change in the American policy.

Professor Anatol argued that the recent intensification of the US operation in FATA is aimed at arresting Al Qaeda leaders. This is likely done in the hope of influencing the American presidential election, but these attacks are destabilising the area and will make things much more difficult for the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps, he said.

Regime change: Professor Anatol criticised the belief that the US controls Pakistani politics. Change of governments has largely been a result of the dynamics of Pakistan’s domestic politics, he said, adding that the Americans have never successfully instigated regime change in Pakistan, nor have they been behind the military seizing power.

He said conspiracy theories do not lead to effective policy, particularly those claiming supposed Israeli support of militants in FATA and the NWFP.

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