Abstract
The culture of the Pathans, or Pushtuns is complicated, sometimes contradictory, and rooted in a traditional code. They inhabit a harsh land and have posed an administrative challenge for decades, hence the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). But after independence, the situation was relatively peaceful for thirty years until the Russian invasion of Afghanistan changed everything. The freedom fighters defeated the Russians, but brought with them the culture of religious extremism and violence which cause such problems today. Furthermore, many foreign fighters settled in the area, a ready pool of manpower for the current war. For a while US support for the war against terror strengthened the position of General Musharraf. But not for ever and the increasing threat to the state posed by the Pakistani Taliban has resulted in the new civilian government backing major offensives by the Pakistani military in the tribal areas.
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