The Aspen Security Forum was already the site of one dust-up Friday, when an Obama aide expressed outrage at Pakistani Ambassador Sherry Rehman for complaining about Taliban attacks from Afghanistan. Controversy continued today when Rehman insisted Pakistan will continue to push for the US to end drone strikes against the country.
“I am not saying drones have not assisted in the war against terror, but they have diminishing rate of returns,” Rehman said, adding that ISI chief Zaheer ul-Islam will push for an end to drone strikes when he arrives in Washington on Wednesday.
Rehman’s comments about them having “assisted” at one point seem to be an effort to explain why Pakistan’s government at one point supported the drone strikes, and even bragged out helping the US select targets.
While they might well perceive some change on the ground, the policy change in Pakistan was likely driven more by popular outrage, with massive anti-US protests a regular sight in major Pakistani cities. Several opposition parties have also criticized the drone strikes for killing a large number of unidentified people.
Why Pakistan military does not shoot these drones down? Could they even do it? Do they have the necessary technology? Pakistan should cooperate with Iran and mainly China and kick US out!!!
US planes for Pakistan are for Pakistani people tragig anyway….
peter czech
The fact of the matter my friend is this, if the Pakistani government and army truly wanted the drones strikes to end then they would shoot these drones out of Pakistani airspace.
Pakistan has very capable anti-air technology. It's mere lip-service that they want the drone strikes to end.
One can only wish that Pakistan would assert its independence, but with its occupation and control by the United States, its options are limited. If Pakistani leaders step too far out of line, the US would simply "off" the miscreants, install a pro US leader, seize the nuclear arsenal, and declare that Pakistan is finally "free" and the US is "safe".
When both the US and the Pak gov't basically throw it up in the people's faces that their lives don't matter, i.e. drone casualties and the practice of posthumously exonerating collaterally killed civilians who were identified as militants, you can expect to see massive anti US protests and maybe a little desperate attempt at blowback.
A drone is like a Cessna – easy pickings for a fighter aircraft. Pakistan is paid not to shoot them down.
Seven U.S. soldiers reported killed in Afghanistan today, July 30, 2012. Forty one U.S. soldiers killed so far in Afghanistan during July, 2012.
Pakistan should go to the UN Security Council with its compalnt about the violation of its sovereignty. If all countries had the same regard for international borders that is demonstrated by the USA and Israel, the world would be one continuous "ball of fire". This American example to the rest of the world only demonstrates that they believe only in "might is right".
Obama, performing his stand up routine, inadvertently brings the horrors of drone warfare home. Check out the animation, COLLATERAL DAMAGE, at earthens.net Refer your cartoon oriented friends.