White House Approves Pakistan Drone Strike Escalation

More CIA Strikes to Coincide with Afghanistan Surge

by Jason Ditz, December 03, 2009

In a move officials are saying is meant to coincide with its much more talked about Afghanistan escalation, the White House has reportedly approved an expansion of the CIA drone attacks against Northern Pakistan.

The expansion means an increase in attacks in North and South Waziristan, and officials hinted at the possibility of striking against Balochistan, a move often spoken of.

Pakistan has publicly objected to the Waziristan strikes, even while it has privately made deals with the US to cooperate in the strikes. Attacking Balochistan, however, would be a game-changer, as the Pakistani government has vowed to stop such strikes.

The US has claimed that the Taliban leadership is in the Baloch capital of Quetta, while the Pakistani government says that there is no evidence the so-called Quetta Shura even exists. Previously the US has suggested a ground invasion of the key city, but even drone strikes will be hugely controversial in a nation whose public has only reluctantly tolerated the Waziristan strikes.

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