Bringing together an extraordinary array of experts, including the renowned Pakistani journalist Ahmed Rashid, the Pakistani American sociologist and historian Ayesha Jalal, and Zahid Hussain, author of Columbia University Press’s Frontline Pakistan: The Struggle with Militant Islam and more recently The Scorpian's Tail , Maleeha Lodhi offers a unique volume that takes stock of Pakistan’s fundamental strengths and weaknesses. Lodhi also includes the work of Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, chair of Islamic studies at American University in Washington, D.C., and Munir Akram, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations from 2002 to 2008. These individuals lend critical perspective to Pakistan’s possible future. Drawing a portrait of Pakistan as seen by its people, the volume assesses the political, economic, social, and foreign policies of the government and its institutional challenges. It captures the nation’s complex interplay between domestic and external pressures, such as the various powers that continue to manipulate the country’s fortunes. Ultimately, the book argues Pakistan and its people can transform their country into a stable modern Muslim state. Nevertheless, bold reforms are required to make this outcome a reality. This book offers an agenda for broad ranging reforms to take Pakistan beyond the crisis state.