HOWARD B SCHAFFERTHE LIMITS OF INFLUENCE-AMERICA’S ROLE IN KASHMIRWASHINGTON D.C.,BROOKINGS INSTITUTION PRESS, 2009.
1. Howard Schaffer’s The Limits of Influence : America’s Role in Kashmir is the thirty sixth volume in the series of books published by the Diplomats and Diplomacy Series (created by The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training(ADST) and Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired (DACOR) ) to increase public knowledge and appreciation of the professionalism of American diplomats and their involvement in world history.
2. A veteran US diplomat from the Foreign Service who spent much of his almost four-decade-long career in Southasia (in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and as the US deputy assistant secretary of state for the region as a whole), he currently teaches at Georgetown, University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, where he is director of studies at the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy. He is the author of Chester Bowles: New Dealer in the ColdWar (Harvard, 1993) and Ellsworth Bunker: Global Troubleshooter,Vietnam Hawk.
3. In The Limits of Influence, veteran U.S. diplomat, Howard B. Schaffer provides, the first detailed account of US efforts to build a settlement between, India and Pakistan over, Kashmir since the inception, of the two countries. Basing his research on, interviews with senior, American officials, archival research, and decades, of his personal experience as a foreign policy diplomat in South Asia, Schaffer has analysed three, generations, of U.S., policy, beginning from, 1948 when fighting started in Kashmir and India brought the issue to United Nations for intervention. He has compiled Washington’s policy and attitude between 1948 and 1963, to resolve the Kashmir dispute, , ,which culminated in a major initiative bY the US to promote negotiations between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Sino-Indian war of 1962. The US effort of negotiations failed, generating a bad taste in the region. For the next fifteen, years U.S. policymakers took a hands-off approach, but this stance has again changed since 1989 when the conflict in the Valley turned into violent phase. Since 1989 Washington has renewed its efforts to help in defusing the crisis.
4. At the end of the book, the author has summarised the events in the “Chronology of America’s Role in Kashmir”. All the important events have been arranged sequentially with the corresponding regime which was in place. Going through this chapter gives the reader a short summary of the book.
5. The book focuses on on several key, aspects of the US involvement, in Jammu & Kashmir. These include the plebistice issue, the most proactive intervention of the American establishment during the era of John F Kennedy in the aftermath of the 1962 Sino-Indian war, handling of situation during the Kargil war, the balancing act of US post the 26/11 attacks to fight the global war on terror and the final chapter on reasons due to which the Obama administration should take initiative by playing a major role in helping solve the Kashmir dispute.
6. Today the United States, enjoys stronger ties with, both India and Pakistan than ever, before. Considering the present environment, Schaffer writes that the time may be ideal for a fresh thrust to the efforts to help resolve the Kashmir dispute amicably. He highlights the principles, for guiding any such, effort and illuminates the history, and hindrances that US, policymakers must overcome. He suggests that if, Obama administration decides on making a stronger effort, it should not dispatch a highly publicized special, envoy as President Kennedy, did in 1962, but prefer a private visit, by someone having the, US President’s confidence despite, the obvious danger, of leaks.
7. Schaffer is quite hopeful that US can make a contribution in this field. The possibilities for a, breakthrough, he writes, “though, limited, are likely to, be higher than they, were in 1962.” The main challenge, from the author’s perspective lies, in persuading, India and, Pakistan to be, more pragmatic in, their expectations. Schaffer feels that the, US can play the role, of a facilitator. He feels that India, may be persuaded by the US to, give some genuine and, enforceable concessions to pacify Pakistan, including, autonomy to J & K.
8. Schaffer has accomplished, an impressive piece of, research. The book is a fascinating, piece of diplomatic history, as well as a historic, insight into the present, and future of the, Kashmir problem and its, impact on vital U.S. concerns. Schaffer brings personal, experience, new research, and, insight to the Kashmir issue. The book is a must read for diplomats, anyone interested in South Asia and particularly army officers to get a broader perspective of the genesis of Kashmir problem.
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