Vigilante Islamists

For over three decades the Pakistani state has had to contend with the rise of violent anti-state movements that have sought to overthrow the government for being insufficiently Islamic. This book provides an inside look at how Islamist political parties-which often have sympathies with these radical groups, but also have a stake in the democratic system-make decisions about whether to support or undermine violent movements that are challenging the state. With five studies that span three decades, the book provides a detailed look at some of Pakistan's most interesting and controversial political parties.

Joshua T. White is Professor of the Practice of International Affairs at The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, and a Nonresident Fellow at The Brookings Institution. He previously served at the White House as Senior Advisor and Director for South Asian Affairs at the National Security Council, and as a Senior Advisor in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He has written widely on security and political topics in South Asia.