Pakistan’s ISI: The True Deep State

Posted: July 20th, 2017

By Philip Reiner

Philip J. Reiner is a U.S. national security professional, most recently serving as President Obama’s Senior Director for South Asia at the National Security Council. Mr. Reiner served at the NSC for three years prior to his role driving the President’s South Asia policy, first as Director for Pakistan and then as Senior Advisor for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Mr. Reiner has a Master's degree in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Religions with a minor in History from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He is a recipient of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service.

While the origins of the phrase may be traced back to Turkey, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI) today represents the defining example of a “deep state.”

Historically responsible for coups, assassinations, domestic political manipulation, covert action, media suppression, torture, and “disappearances” across the country – particularly in Pakistan’s insurgency prone Baluchistan province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas – the ISI, has developed from a military intelligence organization focused solely on India into a mythological force of nature in Pakistan and its near beyond. In reality, however, the ISI presents much more of an enigma: although it is afforded significant power and authority, the reach and strength of the ISI isn’t always what it appears.

Access all of The Cipher Brief’s national security-focused expert insight by becoming a Cipher Brief Subscriber+ Member.