Asymmetric Warfare in South Asia : The Causes and Consequences of the Kargil Conflict

The 1999 conflict between India and Pakistan near the town of Kargil in contested Kashmir was the first military clash between two nuclear-armed powers since the 1969 Sino-Soviet war. Kargil was a landmark event not because of its duration or casualties, but because it contained a very real risk of nuclear escalation. Until the Kargil conflict, academic and policy debates over nuclear deterrence and proliferation occurred largely on the theoretical level. This deep analysis of the conflict offers scholars and policymakers a rare account of how nuclear-armed states interact during military crisis. Written by analysts from India, Pakistan, and the United States, this unique book draws extensively on primary sources, including unprecedented access to Indian, Pakistani, and U.S. government officials and military officers who were actively involved in the conflict. This is the first rigorous and objective account of the causes, conduct, and consequences of the Kargil conflict. Cover......Page 1 Half-Title......Page 2 Title Page......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Maps and tables......Page 10 Contributors......Page 11 Preface......Page 14 Abbreviations and acronyms......Page 16 1. Introduction: the importance of the kargil conflict......Page 20 Part 1 Causes and conduct of the conflict......Page 58 2. The strategic context of the Kargil conflict: a Pakistani perspective......Page 60 3. Pakistan's motivations and calculations for the Kargil conflict......Page 83 4. Military operations in the kargil conflict......Page 111 5. American diplomacy and the 1999 Kargil Summit at Blair House......Page 149 6. Kargil: the nuclear dimension......Page 163 7. Why Kargil did not produce general war: thecrisis-management strategies of Pakistan, India, and the United States......Page 190 Part 2 Consequences and impact of the conflict......Page 226 8. Surprise at the top of the world: India’s systemic and intelligence failure......Page 228 9. Militants in the Kargil conflict: myths, realities, and impacts......Page 250 10 .The impact of the Kargil conflict and Kashmir on Indian politics and society......Page 277 11. The Kargil conflict’s impact on Pakistani politics and society......Page 299 Part 3 Lessons learned......Page 328 12. The lessons of Kargil as learned by India......Page 330 13. The lessons of Kargil as learned by Pakistan......Page 352 14. The Kargil crisis: lessons learnedby the United States......Page 372 15. Kargil, deterrence and international relations theory......Page 396 Index......Page 417 A Unique Account Of Military Conflict Under The Shadow Of Nuclear Escalation, With Access To The Soldiers And Politicians Involved. Part 1, Causes And Conduct Of The Conflict. The Strategic Context Of The Kargil Conflict: A Pakistani Perspective / Zafar Iqbal Cheema; Pakistan's Motivations And Calculations For The Kargil Conflict / Feroz Hassan Khan, Peter R. Lavoy, And Christopher Clary; Military Operations In The Kargil Conflict / John H. Gill; American Diplomacy And The 1999 Kargil Summit At Blair House / Bruce Riedel; Kargil: The Nuclear Dimension / Timothy D. Hoyt; Why Kargil Did Not Produce General War: The Crisis-management Strategies Of Pakistan, India, And The United States / Peter R. Lavoy -- Part 2, Consequences And Impact Of The Conflict. Surprise At The Top Of The World: India's Systemic And Intelligence Failure / James J. Wirtz And Surinder Rana; Militants In The Kargil Conflict: Myths, Realities, And Impacts / C. Christine Fair; The Impact Of The Kargil Conflict And Kashmir On Indian Politics And Society / Praveen Swami; The Kargil Conflict's Impact On Pakistani Politics And Society / Saeed Shafqat -- Part 3, Lessons Learned. The Lessons Of Kargil As Learned By India / Rajesh M. Basrur; The Lessons Of Kargil As Learned By Pakistan / Hasan-askari Rizvi; The Kargil Crisis: Lessons Learned By The United States / Rodney W. Jones And Joseph Mcmillan; Kargil, Deterrence, And International Relations Theory / Robert Jervis. Edited By Peter R. Lavoy. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.