Am I responsible for Pakistan’s ranking?

The Failed States Index, for obvious reasons, hasn't been received well in Pakistan. The government takes issue with the methodology. On one message board, some Pakistanis think they have found the reason for Pakistan's high rank: Me. Apparently, my name on the masthead taints the whole endeavor: My good brothers chill just ignore this worthless ...

The Failed States Index, for obvious reasons, hasn't been received well in Pakistan. The government takes issue with the methodology. On one message board, some Pakistanis think they have found the reason for Pakistan's high rank: Me.

The Failed States Index, for obvious reasons, hasn't been received well in Pakistan. The government takes issue with the methodology. On one message board, some Pakistanis think they have found the reason for Pakistan's high rank: Me.

Apparently, my name on the masthead taints the whole endeavor:

My good brothers chill just ignore this worthless piece of trash, the Newsweek article praised Pakistan just a few months back, a magazine of great prestige and now we have some no bodies writing about us, and worst yet an [Indian] in the driving seat what else do you expect?

Um, I'm not exactly in the driver's seat over here. And I'm an American. But funny that they mention that story from Newsweek International, because that magazine is edited by Indian-born Fareed Zakaria.

More from Foreign Policy

Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.
Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.

Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America

The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.

Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.
Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.

The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense

If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.

Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War

Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.

An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.
An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.

How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests

And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.