Born in turmoil, Pakistan seems to be in an interminable pursuit of its own identity and at the same time finds itself a pivotal player in world politics. Its short existence has witnessed much : four coups d'etat; the rise of Islam as a power; tensions between ethnic, religious and separatist movements; the Kashmir conflict and the near-constant war footing with India. A comprehensive and detailed study of one of the most diverse, volatile and strategically significant countries in the world today. -- Adapted from the flyleaf.

pt. I.A country in search of an identity. Islamic identity and ethnic tensions -- East Bengal : between Islam and regional identity -- A fruitless search for democracy -- pt. II. Pakistan's foreign policy. Pakistan and the power game -- Living with India : relations between Pakistan and India -- Islam and foreign policy : Central Asia and the Arab-Persian world -- pt. III. The economy and social structures. The country and its people -- Economic development -- Between caste and tribe -- pt. IV. A plural culture? The many faces of Islam -- Islam and politics -- Languages and education -- Conclusion : A country in crisis -- Epilogue : Musharraf and the Islamists : from support to opposition after September 11.