Max Boot Council on Foreign RelationsMax Boot is an influential neoconservative author and policy expert as well as a military historian.
He is an Olin senior fellow in national security studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and a contributing editor at The Weekly Standard and The Los Angeles Times. He also writes regularly for many publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, Commentary and Foreign Affairs.
He is the author of two military histories, “War Made New: Technology, Warfare and the Course of History” (2006); and “The Savage Wars of Peace: Small Wars and the Rise of American Power” (2002). He also wrote “Out of Order: Arrogance, Corruption and Incompetence on the Bench” (1998). The New York Times Book Review described “War Made New” as a “magisterial survey of technology and war.”
A vigorous defender of the Iraq war and an assertive American foreign policy, he is an increasingly familiar face at policy forums and on television news talk shows. He was a foreign policy adviser in Senator John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign.
Born in 1969, in Moscow, he grew up in Los Angeles after his Russian Jewish parents emigrated to the United States. He received a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in history from Yale University. Before joining the Council on Foreign Relations, Mr. Boot was a writer and feature editor at The Wall Street Journal editorial page. He lives with his family in the New York area.
In an interview at University of California, Berkeley, in 2003, Mr. Boot described himself as “a natural contrarian.” Asked about the evolution of his political beliefs and his experience at the liberal Berkeley campus as a student, he said: “I’ve actually become somewhat less conservative in a lot of ways over the years, mainly less socially conservative. But in terms of core beliefs about liberty and foreign policy and defense, those kinds of things, I certainly was not shaken from those by my experience at Berkeley.”
MAX BOOT’S ARTICLE
U.S. Should Bolster Civilians in Pakistan*
I have no idea what the truth is regarding the notorious memo that Pakistan’s ambassador to Washington, Hussain Haqqani, allegedly sent to Admiral Mike Mullen, asking for U.S. help to prevent a military coup after the Osama bin Laden raid. The memo, whether it came from Haqqani or not, has landed him in hot water back home. What I do know is that the memo highlights what the Washington Post account rightly describes as ”the profound division between Pakistan’s powerful army and its civilian government.”
President Zardari and the civilians–including Ambassador Haqqani–are much more amenable to peaceful relations with the West than is the army whose Inter-Services Intelligence continues to fund and support the Haqqani Network and the Taliban, among other terrorist groups. Unfortunately, the army remains in de facto control of Pakistan’s foreign policy, regardless of the trappings of civilian rule. It is very much in America’s interest to bolster the civilians at the expense of the generals. The difficulty is finding a policy that can achieve that aim.
I don’t have a ten-point program to offer, but I do have a thought–which is that American actions that undermine the generals could redound to the benefit of the civilians. Such actions could include imposing financial and travel sanctions on ISI generals (and their families) who are complicit in attacks on American personnel in Afghanistan. We have hesitated to take such tough steps, but they could actually help to shift the balance of power in Pakistan in favor of the more moderate faction. Of course, they could also backfire. But our current policy clearly isn’t working. It’s time to try something different.
Pakistani Peoples OPINION as reflected in Pak Tribune (*)
Memo Scandal and Hussain Haqqani
24 November, 2011
Pakistan saved
I think that the guilty parties have been shot and drowned already as far as their anti country nefarious motives were concerned. The snakes have been caught and bottled, though not hanged as they deserved.It was treasion laden acts to take out Pak nukes, and then slaughter Pakistanis by 100000 a day as was bragged in Indian news many times after Pak nukes were gone.
The media as well, especially Dawn of Pakistan, it seems has gone into strong grip control of Indo-US conspiracies. Any thing sympathizing with Pakistan is left out and anything berating Pak comes out flashing.
Thanks to Pakistan military that the snakes have been bottled even though they have not been given the proper punishment. And now My CJ also seems to have some loose screws as he is showing desire to tango dance with well known anti Pak. Mr CJ should also clean up his judiciary as there are reports of judges charging million rupees plus bribes for letting go the criminals. No wonder Mr CJ has flashed his some part personality to be laughed at and as ridiculed.
I think General Kyani is too lenient either by intent or by nature.
Thank the Pak army again.The nation and the military is the one who will face slaughter wrath once Pak 100 plus nukes are whisked away.BRAVO PAK MILITARY, THE NATION SALUTES YOU.
Anwar Mahmood, Canada – 24 November, 2011
non sense attitude of zardari
our “president is in fact a bus conductor! this is why that he behaves in this manner. his previous record show that he was never serious. now after seeking help from USA and after being spread the news, he and his govt is acting like a mad. no they have slaughtered mr haqani but this sacrifice will not prove to be sufficient to save their govt
iqbal ahmad, Uzbekistan – 24 November, 2011
President AAZ is very experienced and mindful leader
Pak Tribune question !!!! Do you support opposition’s demand of president’s resignation on account of this matter?
Comments By: Aziz ur Rehman Bhoi:- Why an Elected President of Pakistan should resign????????
I understand that President AAZ is very experienced and mindful leader and would never and never even think of such matters as being aired by his political opponents. President AAZ would not even murmur such dangerous matters in the ear of Ambassador Husain Haqqani. For GOD sake,respect this high office and do not point out fingers to wards President AAZ.
Written By
(Aziz Ur Rehman Bhoi) Distt:- Attocl
Aziz Ur Rehman Bhoi, Pakistan – 25 November, 2011
Zardari did very bad.
Zardari did very bad.i hate zardari.
Ammar Yasir, Pakistan – 26 November, 2011
I appreciate Haqqani’s action. At-least someone in Pakistan set tradition of resign, otherwise whenever such situation created the concerned person say “I will not resign at any cost”
Regarding inquiry.. No use man.. ignore inquiry processes, as simply it is wastage of time and money. Any inquiry till today produced results in past, just recall… do you remember any? At-least I won’t.
John, Pakistan – 28 November, 2011
Wake Up Call
If it is true that Mr. Mansoor Ijaz is an Ahmedi then his version is going to be exactly as his Jewish master’s ‘TOTAL LIES AND TOTALLY AGAINST PAKISTAN”
Nor is Haqqani any more reliable when he issued thousands of visas to CIA operatives to create a spy network all over Pakistan which may act against Pakistan’s armed forces in the event of a war with NATO from the west. India will never let this chance go by that easily. Hindus are NOT reliable. You people need to wake up. Quran had warned NEVER to trust Jews and Pagans. All these PhD’s in history and politics fail if it fails to direct you towards the preceding. History and Politics is written by the international educator the Jew, anyway, both of which hide their conspiracy to take over the world.
NATO nor US is prepared to apologise. This is right in your face thing. Now it’s upto the citizens to keep an eye on the neighbourhood and a joint Security Force & Citizens network created to offset the CIA network. Pak military needs to wake up and stop relying on the Chinese guarantee. Any numbers of resolutions by the assemblies won’t match firm and reliable plan of action. To start with Pakistan start sending emissaries with the help of Russians and Chinese to secure a word from Central Asian countries to cut off NATO routes of supply in case NATO attacks Pakistan. IT MUST DO IT NOW and a forward front plan where man and light equipment is placed inside Afghanistan to stop them from crossing the Hindu Kush, Small wonder they are pushing for the seperate province in FATA and a consulate for a reason. A revised Kargill blue print to control peaks in the western border would lessen the threat from the air.
Truther, – 30 November, 2011
ZARDARI. YOU MAKE THE WHOLE PAKISTANIS HEAD DOWN.
LIZA, – 01 December, 2011
SO????
SO WHAT. HUSSAIN HAQQANI SPOKE A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE WHEN HE WAS AN ACADEMIC AT BOSTON AND CHANGED HIS TUNE ONCE HE BECAME AN AMBASSADOR FROM THEN ONWARDS HE WAS ALL PRO RULING ESTABLISHMENT. I AM SURE HE WILL FIND A WELL PAYING JOB AT ANY UNIVERSITY IN THE U.S.
ANDY NYC
ANDY, – 05 December, 2011
Besharam govt
This is shameful for pakistan and pakistani govt whose that , soverienghty of pakistan is the most important function of govt but this govt have not sapacity to prevent these thing , if they can not do so, then in due respect pakistani govt resinged morraly.
Ch jalil advocate jhelum., Pakistan – 05 December, 2011
This issue should be handled by supreme court
I think after getting zero result of the parliament committe,Nawaz Sharif has gone to supreme and let the court complete its investigation but I don’t know who will appear in front of court.
tayab, – 06 December, 2011
Democrcy is rubbish if it produces traitors
Zardari has a criminal record. He stayed in jail for over 10 years on criminal charges. He is a total fraud and is now exposed. People of Pakistan and specilly the armed forces who are responsible for the security of country should make sure that no one gets to the position of President or PM unless he / she is a person of integrity. Thieves / robbers and sellers of national pride should never be allowed. Democracy is rubbish if it produces traitors like Zardari
A Pakistani, Pakistan – 11 December, 2011
i thnk mansoor ijaz is right our government employes are telling lie.all the sincere political parties must take serious action on it nd now government should go to home.it,s the question of our soverinity our soverenity goes in the hand of those who r nt sincere wd pakistan.
rohail asghar, Pakistan – 15 December, 2011
Mansoor Ijaz is not an honorbale man he is a confirmed liar.But he is at least standing firm with his Memo.
Zardari is the biggest Liar of them all because he also signed two Memos but failed to stand firm with his own Memos whcih he signed with Mian Nawaz Sharif
Amir, Pakistan – 20 December, 2011
Ek Zardari Sab Pe Bhaari
Ali Wali, Pakistan – 24 December, 2011
Haqqani is a dangerously ambitious individual as such he knows only one thing, “Unflinching loyalty to his personal interests”. He was appointed as ambassador only because he was a close friend of Zardari and could look after Zardari’s personal interests in US. In all probability he is the author of the Memo and he must have done this on the direction of his master Zardari. The Supreme Court must get into bottom of this plot against Pakistan’s national security. The plotters must be punished for their crime against the country.
sunder khan, Pakistan – 26 December, 2011
zardari ka haq haqani ki need
HAQANI and zardari gadare r main defaulters and they should be killed bcoz it is insult of pakistani army they are traitors
