Though Pakistani officials were quite clear on Monday in their demand that the US put its entire drone strike program “on hold” for the foreseeable future, drones were active again today in South Waziristan, attacking a village and killing at least six people.
The Zardari government had long been a tacit supporter of such strikes. The ugly number of recent incidents, as well as anger over the Raymond Davis affair and its subsequent revelation that a number of US spies were operating in Pakistan beyond the ones cooperating officially with the government, however, have sparked a backlash. Now it is not just cabinet ministers but Pakistan’s powerful military establishment making the demands that the strikes stop.
The latest strike spawned another quick rebuke from officials, who insisted the attacks are “counterproductive” and are indeed being used as a recruitment tool by militant factions. The US has launched scores of such strikes since President Obama took office, killing massive numbers of people, many of them civilians.
The continued strikes had previously been done in the context of some backdoor agreements with officials to keep them going, but in the absence of those it seems the Obama Administration is betting Pakistan just doesn’t care enough about the constant bombardment of their tribal areas to actually do anything about it. With a growing anti-US backlash across Pakistan and the military looking to assert itself, that could be an extremely dangerous bet.
You don't understand Pakistan leaders. When you accept the US bribe then Washington owns you. Stop taking the bribe, ie. foreign aid.
It all begins to make sense if one logically concludes that the US is actually working hard to create total chaos in Pakistan.
Oh for one Pakistani who will be willing to stand up to the murderous actions of the vile CIA drone attacks..
America the so called "bastion of freedom" and human rights who are ever ready to ask others to account for their crimes against humanity BUT continue to kill innocent civilians should be held to account for their murderous actions.
Perhaps the UN Security Council should establish a "NO FLY ZONE "over the whole USA..
FAT CHANCE!
Whilst american agents are operating in every country of the world, the nature of the Pakistan-American relationship is unique. What other country willingly allows it's citizens be murdered? How can a so-called Islamic country allow Israel's foremost supporter get away with it?
The stupid, crazy, evil people in the CIA and Pentagon don´t realize that people in Afghanistan and Pakistan can wait a hundred years for their revenge when they suddenly blow something up in United Bluff. The Taliban were guests of honor in Texas but they couldn´t agree on the pipeline. Now the US has built some 400 kms of Trans-Afghan Pipeline to bring oil and gas from Turkmenistan, etc. through Afghanistan and Pakistan to go by ship to the US. Soldiers are dying to secure air-condition in Texas. That´s the reason for the permanent bases. The supposed Lockerby-bomber was released to Kadaffi for BP drilling rights. Obomber is a war criminal. The only reason the crazy Americans are in Afghanistan is Trans-Afghan Pipeline. My guess is Mohammad Atta and his friends were Mossad-agents, they weren´t on board and the planes went by remote control.
What you say is correct the American herd doesn't/want to know about this.
The bigger plan is yet to come : The division of the Paki state .
I thought the Obama administration didn't believe in violence?
The US is constantly saying the Palestinians should lay down their arms, or that Gaghdaffi should leave. How about applying that principle to itself?
If Pakistan had any balls, they'd shoot the fuckers down.
Does one get the impression that perchance the USG might intentionally be trying to destabilize the current version of the Pakistani government? Even for the US, this blatant ignoring of a sovereign nations' demands that the US respect Pakistani sovereignty seems excessive – not that the current USG doesn't usually act excessively in most of its interactions with other nations.
Is there anything to be gained by bringing down the Pak government? Surely they don't think that they'll be able to install another puppet? Surely…
You ever get that feeling that things are quickly spiraling out of control and that the inmates are in fact running the prison? Might just be time for me to disconnect and tend my garden and hope that when it all goes to hell that it doesn't affect my little corner. Wishful, I know.