Breaking History: Partition’s Ghost – How Pakistan Became a Deep State
Podcast Information:
- Title: Breaking History
- Host/Author: The Free Press
- Episode: Partition’s Ghost: How Pakistan Became a Deep State
- Release Date: May 28, 2025
Introduction: The Looming India-Pakistan Conflict
In the episode titled Partition’s Ghost: How Pakistan Became a Deep State, Eli Lake sets the stage by highlighting the precarious nature of the India-Pakistan relationship. He references a recent incident where terrorists killed 26 tourists in Kashmir, noting, “The next India-Pakistan war seems like a matter of time” (00:01). Lake underscores that one of the primary reasons for the enduring conflict is Pakistan's military and intelligence apparatus, often referred to as the "deep state."
Understanding Pakistan’s Deep State
Lake delves into the concept of the deep state, explaining, “a deep state is when the national security bureaucracy is more powerful than the elected or official government” (04:06). He contrasts Pakistan with the United States, suggesting that while theories about a U.S. deep state exist, Pakistan’s reality is undeniable, having experienced four military coups since its inception in 1947. Matthew Rosenberg, a former correspondent, adds, “There are elections, yes, there is a democracy in Pakistan. There are trappings of democracy, but the military is still a huge force within the country” (05:36).
Historical Roots: The Partition of 1947
The episode revisits the tumultuous partition of British India in 1947, emphasizing the role of Cyril Radcliffe, a British judge tasked with drawing the new borders without any prior knowledge of the region. Gunita Singh Bala comments on Radcliffe's struggles, stating, “He knew what he was doing and he didn't like it” (10:50). The arbitrary borders led to massive violence and displacement, with Lake noting, “The death count sometimes estimated as high as 3 million” (12:25). The chaos of partition laid the groundwork for lasting animosity, particularly over the contested region of Kashmir.
Kashmir: The Eternal Flashpoint
Kashmir's strategic and cultural significance is a recurring theme. Lake explains that Kashmir controls vital resources like glaciers, which “provide water to hundreds of millions in China, in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh” (16:31). The region's complex demographics and geopolitical importance have made it a persistent source of conflict between India and Pakistan. Ayesha Jalal, a Tufts University professor, adds, “It's hard to say just because Pakistan used to support these people... It's not clear to me that they sat in GHQ and planned it” (02:51), highlighting the ambiguous nature of Pakistan's involvement in regional terrorism.
Pakistan’s Political Evolution: From Jinnah to Zia
The narrative transitions to Pakistan’s early leadership, focusing on Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the nation’s founder. Jinnah, portrayed as a moderate and reasonable leader, sought to create a unified nation but died shortly after independence, leaving a nascent state vulnerable. Eli Lake reflects, “Had Jinnah lived a few years longer, he may have been able to focus on building a modern state the way his contemporaries in India did” (24:19).
Following Jinnah’s death, Pakistan's first major decision was the Objectives Resolution in 1949, declaring Pakistan an Islamic state. Christopher Hitchens comments, “This is the beginning of the slide towards extreme Islamism” (24:19), linking this shift to the later rise of fundamentalism.
The episode chronicles the rise of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, elected in 1970, who initially showed promise but became autocratic, culminating in his execution by General Zia-ul-Haq in 1977. Bhutto’s downfall is depicted as a pivotal moment where military power superseded democratic institutions, reinforcing the deep state's dominance.
General Zia-ul-Haq and Islamization
General Zia-ul-Haq's rise to power marked a significant transformation in Pakistan's political landscape. Hitchens explains, “He was a true believer,” emphasizing Zia’s commitment to Islamization, which included incorporating Sharia law into Pakistan’s legal system and fostering an environment conducive to fundamentalism (35:02). This period saw the deep state's expansion, with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) playing a crucial role in both domestic politics and international affairs.
Zia’s alliance with the United States during the Soviet-Afghan War further solidified the deep state's power. Eli Lake notes, “The CIA funded a golem,” referring to the ISI’s role in mobilizing mujahideen fighters against Soviet forces (41:12). This relationship had long-term implications, including the rise of militant groups that would later impact global security.
US-Pakistan Relations and the Rise of Militancy
The episode examines the complex relationship between Pakistan and the United States. Initially, US aid was instrumental in supporting Pakistan's military endeavors during the Cold War. However, Lake highlights the unintended consequences of this partnership, coining the term “blowback” to describe the rise of groups like Al-Qaeda, born from US-backed mujahideen efforts (42:08).
Hitchens poignantly states, “Every time the Pakistani leadership did get worse or behave worse, it was handsomely rewarded by the United States” (48:46), critiquing the US policy that enabled the deep state's growth at the expense of regional stability.
The 2011 Abbottabad Raid and Shifting Alliances
A turning point in Pakistan’s global standing was the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden. Lake underscores the irony of the operation, with the CIA station chief located only “1,000ft from Pakistan's premier military academy” (46:17). This incident exposed the fragile and often duplicitous nature of US-Pakistan relations, leading to public outrage and declining trust between the two nations.
China’s Emerging Influence
With the US distancing itself, Lake discusses China’s growing role in supporting Pakistan’s deep state. Recent developments include China providing advanced military technology to Pakistan, further entrenching the deep state's power and perpetuating the conflict with India (49:20). A Defense Intelligence Agency report cited in the episode reveals, “China has provided key material through third parties to Pakistan's own weapons of mass destruction programs” (50:19).
Conclusion: The Persistence of Pakistan’s Deep State
The episode concludes by emphasizing that Pakistan's deep state has not only endured but has also adapted through changing international dynamics. From receiving US and Saudi support to now leaning on China, the deep state continues to prioritize its interests over the nation’s democratic institutions and regional peace. Eli Lake asserts, “Pakistan's deep state has survived at the expense of the nation it purports to defend” (50:19).
Notable Quotes:
- Eli Lake (00:01): “The next India-Pakistan war seems like a matter of time.”
- Ayesha Jalal (02:43): “I think it's very hard to say just because Pakistan used to support these people... I need more concrete evidence.”
- Matthew Rosenberg (05:36): “Pakistan is a military that just happens to have a country attached to it.”
- Christopher Hitchens (24:19): “This is the beginning of the slide towards extreme Islamism.”
- Hussein Haqqani (35:20): “A very polarized and complicated country.”
Key Takeaways:
- Historical Partition: The arbitrary borders drawn during the 1947 partition led to massive violence and displacement, sowing seeds of enduring conflict, particularly over Kashmir.
- Rise of the Deep State: Pakistan's military and intelligence services have consistently held power over democratic institutions, leading to several coups and the suppression of political dissent.
- Influence of External Powers: US and Saudi support during the Cold War and the Soviet-Afghan War significantly empowered Pakistan’s deep state, while recent shifts show increasing Chinese involvement.
- Blowback and Terrorism: US-backed initiatives in Pakistan contributed to the rise of militant groups, creating long-term security challenges for the region and the world.
- Current Dynamics: Pakistan remains a nation where the deep state thrives, continually shaping its political landscape and regional relationships at the expense of democratic governance and stability.
Note: The timestamps provided in the quotes correspond to the transcript segments for reference.