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    "Ashley J. Tellis"
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Source: Getty

In The Media

Musharraf's Inconsistent War on Terror

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By Ashley J. Tellis
Published on Jan 10, 2008
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South Asia

The South Asia Program informs policy debates relating to the region’s security, economy, and political development. From strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific to India’s internal dynamics and U.S. engagement with the region, the program offers in-depth, rigorous research and analysis on South Asia’s most critical challenges.

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Source: ADTV's Viewpoint

In an interview on Viewpoint, Ashley J. Tellis noted that although Musharraf has aggressively targeted some terrorist organizations within Pakistan, like Al Qaeda, he has conveniently ignored certain politically important organizations, like the Taliban and the Deobandi groups active in Kashmir.

Such inconsistency has been possible partially because U.S. attention and resources have been focused on Iraq, said Tellis. Furthermore, he argued, the war in Iraq stirred up anti-American sentiment in the tribal areas of Pakistan and the U.S. has not held Musharraf to his promise to move Pakistan toward democracy. 

Tellis warned that bringing stability and democracy to Pakistan would likely take years, if not decades. But, he added, Pakistan does have a tradition of democratic and civilian rule in Pakistan.

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About the Author

Ashley J. Tellis

Former Senior Fellow

Ashley J. Tellis was a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

    Recent Work

  • Paper
    Multipolar Dreams, Bipolar Realities: India’s Great Power Future

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  • Commentary
    India Sees Opportunity in Trump’s Global Turbulence. That Could Backfire.

      Ashley J. Tellis

Ashley J. Tellis
Former Senior Fellow
Political ReformDemocracySecuritySouth AsiaPakistan

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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