ThePrint National Interest Pod: Pakistan is fighting a two-front war - 2011 National Interest predicted it, 15 years ago
Feb 28, 2026
A resurfacing 2011 prediction about leaving Afghanistan to Pakistan sparks debate about current cross-border air and drone strikes. The conversation highlights Pakistan’s unexpected two-front strain and why its military posture struggles with simultaneous threats. There is focus on civilian suffering, propaganda tactics used against insurgents, and limits on outside support in contested regions.
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A Commentator's Mistake About Rohan Kanhai
- Shekhar Gupta recounts a past factual error about Rohan Kanhai's handedness to illustrate commentator vulnerability.
- He uses this to introduce his 2011 National Interest column that predicted Pakistan's troubles in Afghanistan.
Strategic Depth In Afghanistan Is A Geographic Fantasy
- Pakistan's attempt to secure 'strategic depth' in Afghanistan is a geographic fantasy.
- Shekhar Gupta argues the Hindu Kush and repeated historical failures show Afghanistan defeats external powers, making Pakistani depth unrealistic.
Avoid Intervening When Adversaries Make Mistakes
- Do not intervene in Afghanistan simply to deny Pakistan influence; let their own mistakes unfold.
- Gupta invoked Napoleon: avoid interfering when an adversary is making strategic errors.