The United States, South Asia and the Global Anti-Terrorist Coalition

Global terrorism is high on the international agenda. Anita Inder Singh breaks new ground by exploring the significance of South Asia in the U.S.-led international coalition against terrorism.

How successfully has the U.S. quelled extremism in Afghanistan? What is the significance of the American perception of India as an emerging Asian and global power and the strengthening of Indo-U.S. ties, as reflected in the unprecedented American decision to admit India into the nuclear club in March 2006?

The U.S. has claimed that it is fighting terrorism to advance democracy and human rights. But its alliance with Pakistan has raised questions about the means used to combat terrorism. Will the anti-terrorist strategies and tactics of the U.S. in South Asia establish that it is the world’s principal spoiler, or a superpower upholding international norms and strengthening the capacity of international society to trounce terrorism?