(By Ayesha Mahnoor)
In an era where truth is often the first casualty of conflict, The War That Changed Everything explodes onto the scene like a much-needed truth bomb. Co-authored by veteran Pakistani journalist Murtaza Solangi—a broadcast legend with decades covering wars, elections, and global rivalries—and Ahmad Hassan Al-Arabi, a sharp international relations scholar specializing in hybrid warfare and psychological operations, this 416-page investigative powerhouse dissects the 2025 Pahalgam incident and the near-catastrophic India-Pakistan escalation that followed.
Published by Auraq Publications in August 2025, the book isn’t just a recounting of events; it’s a forensic takedown of modern disinformation warfare. Drawing on leaked documents, authenticated recordings, payment trails, satellite imagery, and drone forensics, Solangi and Al-Arabi expose how the Pahalgam attack—framed by India as Pakistan-backed terrorism—was allegedly manipulated to fuel nationalism, suppress dissent, and justify aggression. They pull no punches in revealing fabricated narratives, deepfakes, and state-sponsored psy-ops that vilified Muslims, scapegoated Pakistan, and brought two nuclear powers to the brink.
What makes this book “cool” isn’t just its explosive revelations—described by early buzz as “unfiltered” and “explosive”—but its broader wake-up call. Beyond South Asia’s tensions, it dives into how authoritarian regimes worldwide weaponize religion, nationalism, and misinformation in the age of digital deception. In a nuclear-armed region, where hashtags can bury truth faster than missiles can fly, this is essential reading for anyone fascinated by geopolitics, media ethics, or the blurry line between fact and fiction.
The writing is bold and accessible: sharp analysis meets gripping storytelling, making complex themes like false-flag operations and information warfare feel urgent and relatable. It’s not a dry academic tome—it’s a reclaiming of the historical record, as the authors put it, with irrefutable evidence that challenges dominant narratives.
If you’re into investigative journalism that packs a punch (think Woodward and Bernstein meets South Asian realpolitik), grab this. It’ll shift how you see conflicts, media, and power plays in our hyper-connected world. Highly recommended—5/5 for courage and clarity in a post-truth landscape.
