View Point                                                                         Adnan Rahman

Manifestations of "Divide and Conquer"

Divide and conquer" is an old war tactic according to which the enemy forces are strategically divided into relatively small pockets, cut off from the mainline, thus, leaving the enemy weak, vulnerable and an easy pray for conquest. This strategy was used with great success by Hitler's army during WWII. The world has come a long way since then and the strategies of modern day warfare have evolved. Upon the conclusion of WWII, the nations with imperialist ambitions realized that it was better to imperialize humanity indirectly instead of direct rule. Under this pretext, new manifestations of the old 'divide and conquer' strategy began to emerge.

As it was the Muslim world that stood as a major hurdle in way of imperialist dreams, the new strategies of indirect conquest were unleashed against it. What held the then-muslim-world together was the bond of Islam. For before being a religion, before being a culture, before being a civilization, and before being a law, Islam is, in essence, an ideology. Whosoever conforms to the tenets of this ideology becomes an integral part of a universal nationality. Hence, as long as the khilafah existed, Muslims of the world viewed themselves as one unit. The pain of one nation under the khilafah was felt by all others. An exemplification of this phenomenon was seen when the khilafah was being conspired against in Turkey, the movement for the protection of the khilafah was launched in the Indian-subcontinent. Such an emotional, spiritual and political unity of the Muslims was unacceptable to the imperialist powers. Thus, the new non-combative strategies of modern imperialism were put in effect.

Firstly, the unity of Muslims was shredded by macro-dismemberment of the khilafah. This was accomplished by installing "goodwill" conspirators, such as the 'Lawrence of Arabia', and hiring turncoats from within, such as Kamal Ataturk. This was the first manifestation of modern "divide and conquer" strategy.

Secondly, once the khilafah was carved into pieces, the small independent Muslim countries were established and nationalism - the death of universal brotherhood - was promoted locally in these states. This promoted a sense of regional and racial nationality, alien to the idea of universal Muslim nationality, and further eroded the universal Muslim unity - a manifestation of "divide and conquer".

Thirdly, western-trained, western-styled, slave-minded, self-righteous, anti-islamic, muslims in name westerners otherwise, puppets-of-the-west regimes were installed as leaderships of most Muslim nations. These leaderships helped the imperialist powers carry on their agenda by oppressing their own brethren and inhibiting any possibilities of unity among the Muslims - another manifestation of "divide and conquer".

Fourthly, the military regimes in many Muslim countries (especially the powerful ones) were exploited as a "stick" to keep check on any possible developments that may transform a country into a potential threat against the imperialist ambitions. This policy was shamelessly promoted by the imperialist powers against everything that they themselves see as sacred and uphold at home; that is, justice, fair play, democracy, rule of law, freedom of expression, and the right of a people to decide their own destiny. Under the auspices of such puppet regimes, all that is needed to enslave a nation is to 'conquer' its leadership (for the most servile, one threatening phone call is enough); the rest is history. This is also a manifestation of "divide and conquer".

Fifthly, on the local scale, the puppet leaderships have always sought to create divisions among their own countrymen by exploiting local political forces and/or sectarian differences. Such sinister schemes weaken a nation from within, and assist in advancing the "divide and conquer" strategy.

All these non-combative techniques have been in effect, in one form or another, in Pakistan. First, the nascent Muslim state of Pakistan (then the largest at least in terms of population) was micro-dismembered into two (a feat accomplished under the leadership of pak army). The debacle of 1971 greatly undermined the potential of Pakistan as a threat to imperialist dreams.

Secondly, for the most part, puppet governments have been the destiny of Pakistan. In this regard, the greatest crutch in way of progress in Pakistan has been its 'patriotic', meddlesome army. Time and again, the army shamelessly conquered its own civil government and each time it did so it impeded the progress of the nation; ruthlessly raped the constitution; bent the process of justice to suit its way; obstructed the development of democratic institutions; compromised the sovereignty of the nation … the list goes on and on. However, the previous sins of the army may be forgivable; but then descended upon nation the arrogant, self-righteous monster of deception and treachery - the present army regime, under the leadership of the most servile neo-fascist dictator. What was accomplished (in reality, lost) by this regime surpassed all the rest. The sins committed by this regime are unforgivable. The current regime of thugs (army and civilian) has plunged Pakistan into such depths of slavery, humiliation, and uncertainty that it is impossible to make amends or to reverse the adverse effects on the sovereignty and freedom of this nation. The Musharraf regime has ransomed the whole country, along with its future, to advance and safeguard the complacent, boyhood adamancy of one man. In the process, the Pakistani people have been distanced from their army - another manifestation of modern "divide and conquer" strategy.

Thirdly, to worsen things, for the first time in the history of Pakistan, a slogan of such nationalistic colors was painted that betrays the very existence of this country - the slogan of "Pakistan first". For Pakistan is perhaps the only hope of the Muslim world for the resurgence of Islam; such an arrogant, anti-islamic slogan is nothing but a satanic machination to eradicate the spiritual and emotional sentiments that the Pakistanis carry for the universal Muslim community. This slogan seeks to promote the interests of Pakistan at the cost of its brother Muslim nations - the inhumane outcome of which has already been observed in the slaughter of Afghanistan - a true friend once nurtured in our lap, now savagely butchered by our knife; another manifestation of "divide and conquer".

Moreover, under the pretexts of "Pakistan first" and "national interest" - political rhetoric for cowardice - the dictatorial regime (carrying the label of democracy) proudly partook in the slaughter of Afghanistan; allowed the American bloodhounds to freely terrorize the law-abiding, humanist and truly patriotic citizens of the country; proposed to accept the terrorist, racist state of Israel; and is now wagging its tail to send national forces to Iraq. This is just another manifestation of "divide and conquer". By keeping Pak-army busy on several fronts, the nation is left vulnerable to guard its own fronts. We've always had to look after the eastern front, but now we have to be ready to ward off a possible attack from our new 'friend' in the west. As there seems no end to the acquiescence and kowtowing of this regime, tomorrow we may be sending forces to Israel to protect the Jews from the stone-throwing Palestinian "terrorists"; and who knows, in our "national interest" we may need to send forces to Kashmir to check "cross-border terrorism". If this keeps up, one day we might have forces deployed in every "rogue" state in the world, to safeguard the interests of others, but have forces available to safeguard ourselves; thereby, providing the golden opportunity to our newly found western and eastern "friends" to walk over into Pakistan - in their best interests.