Book Review: Pakistan’s Nuclear Bomb: A Story of Defiance, Deterrence and Deviance by Hassan Abbas

Abstract

Dr. Hassan Abbas is a Pakistani-American academic whose interest area lies in South and Central Asia. He is presently a Professor and Chair of the Department of Regional and Analytical Studies at National Defense University, Washington, DC. Similar to his previous books, Hassan Abbas has taken up yet another topic that revolves around the statehood of Pakistan. \nThe book is a nine chapters long comprehensive case around Pakistan’s road to becoming a nuclear state. He starts by a focused spot light on Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan. The author has framed his questions around Dr. Khan and his critical role in developing the nuclear weapons programme, links of military and bureaucracy to the nuclear network, strategic and monetary motives surrounding it and finally juggling the blame game among the parties involved. In addition, he bases his arguments around a theoretical understanding to authenticate his claims academically. \nThe structure of Chapter II assists the reader to contextualize the reasons for Pakistan to become a nuclear state. He invites the reader to visualize the strategic culture that pushed Pakistan towards this option. He establishes a case that starts from the beginning of Pakistan’s formation, the induction of religion in state affairs, the pivotal role of Kashmir dispute to exacerbate the conflict between India and Pakistan, showcase of a headstrong military that led Pakistan towards a national security state, and the socio-political challenges that led to the disintegration of East Pakistan. \nThe author mostly focuses the discussion on Pakistan’s pursuit of nuclear weapons technology in Chapter III. He derives reason from the work of Bhumitra Chakma and Willaim Epstein to explain that security concerns, national prestige, technological boost and domestic politics has pushed the country towards such a critical goal. The writer has subjected Pakistan’s nuclear aspirations to be driven by a security dilemma in the region, which is essentially created by India. He narrates that the nuclear programme was first conceived at a civilian research stage during 1954-1965.