Does this tradition of military intervention prevent democracy from taking root in Pakistan?
Military rulers do not support freedom of the press nor do they support the creation or existence of independent political parties—conditions that are necessary for democracy to grow. They support military rule, and legitimate it by saying that they are preparing the way for democratic elections. When Zia-ul-Haq came into power, he said he needed just 90 days, but he stayed for years and years and years. Historically, why has the U.S. supported Pakistan’s military dictatorships? One of the realities of global politics is that countries operate in what they see as their national and international interests. During the Cold War, the United States and European countries would often support dictatorships that they didn’t like because the rulers were pro-West versus pro-Soviet Union. Until very recently, neither Democratic nor Republican administrations have made much attempt to promote democracy in the Middle East or the Muslim world. There was a sense that it was in the national interest—
