The Nine Lives of Pakistan: A Discussion with Declan Walsh
Declan Walsh is no stranger to the political, religious, and ethnic fault lines that threaten Pakistan’s democracy. After spending a decade in the country as a correspondent for The Guardian and as bureau chief for The New York Times, Walsh was expelled from Pakistan in 2013 for “undesirable activities.” Forced to leave the country within 72 hours, his expulsion drew intense international protest for running counter to Pakistan’s professed democratic values.
In the years since his departure, Pakistan has continued to struggle with its democratic and pluralistic identity—with competing voices vying for supremacy in defining the Pakistani narrative. Despite perennial problems and challenges, Pakistan continues to surprise and often bewilder observers with its ability to weather many storms.
On November 18, USIP hosted Declan Walsh for a discussion of his new book, “The Nine Lives of Pakistan: Dispatches from a Divided Nation,” which analyzes the complexities of the country’s power dynamics, ethnic and religious conflicts, and identity crisis through the lens of nine individuals from diverse backgrounds. These nine people offer the audience a window into the dichotomies of life in Pakistan and lessons to better understand the fascinating politics of the country.
Continue the conversation on Twitter with #DeclanWalshUSIP.
Speakers
Tamanna Salikuddin, opening remarks
Director, South Asia Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace
Declan Walsh
Cairo Bureau Chief, The New York Times; Author, “The Nine Lives of Pakistan”
Cyril Almeida, moderator
Visiting Senior Expert, U.S. Institute of Peace
