The Conflict in Kashmir: Down the Corridor of Uncertainty and Unrest

Date of Graduation

Spring 2003

Degree

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Department

Defense and Strategic Studies

Committee Chair

C. Walton

Abstract

Control over the region of Kashmir has been a contentious issue for the past fifty-six years. The partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947 led to the separation of Pakistan from India, and all princely states on the subcontinent were ordered to accede to either India or Pakistan according to whether they had a majority Hindu or Muslim population. The question of accession for Kashmir was never answered in a manner which would placate both states. After the attacks of 11 September 2001, the United States has been the world leader in the War Against Terror. Due to this involvement, the Conflict in Kashmir is now more important to America than ever before. Kashmir is at the heart of the militant Islamist international. It acts as a transit lounge for international terrorists, providing a place and opportunity for training and networking. This thesis argues that the United States has to maintain a high level of involvement in the Kashmiri conflict for one reason: in order to prevent Kashmir from becoming a conduit of terrorist activity which could be exported throughout the world.

Subject Categories

Defense and Security Studies

Copyright

© M Nabeel Qureshi

Citation-only

Open Access

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