Pakistan: A Hard Country is a deep-dive podcast exploring the complex realities of Pakistan through the lens of Anatol Lieven’s landmark book, Pakistan: A Hard Country. Each episode unpacks key themes from the book, offering thoughtful commentary, historical context, and real-world relevance.

The podcast navigates through Pakistan’s political, economic, and social fabric—from the resilience of kinship networks to the existential threat posed by water scarcity, from the rise of Islamist militancy to the paradoxes of the state's inner workings.

In Episode 2, we explore the early pages of Chapter 1, examining issues such as inter-provincial tensions over the Indus River, the underreported voices of ordinary Pakistanis, and the significance of kinship structures. With a clear-eyed but empathetic view, we shed light on how a seemingly chaotic country continues to endure—often in ways overlooked by the outside world.

Whether you're a student of geopolitics, a South Asia watcher, or simply curious about Pakistan beyond the headlines, Pakistan: A Hard Country offers rich insights and fresh perspectives on one of the world’s most misunderstood nations.

📚 Based on the book by Anatol Lieven