Al Jazeera reports 12 dead in Pakistan's tribal region North Waziristan early today. The dead are thought to be pro-Taliban. Pakistani Intelligence personel say a missile struck the region, and the residents of the region reported seeing two drones fly over the attacked area last night. Two drones and a missile... the attack had to be compliments of either Pakistan or Coalition forces from neighboring Afghanistan.
The NY Times had an article commenting on the failing Pakistani policy towards Taliban in its tribal areas. Washington has been debating possible options and solutions to create greater security in Pakistan; as the Times article pointed out two days ago, "The administration is also debating whether to strengthen covert operations by the Central Intelligence Agency."
Even if the missile attack was the doing of US/Coalition forces, Pakistan would not admit this. The Pakistani government realizes that they cannot afford to seem like they do not have firm control over operations in their nation. The Pakistani Army/Gov. can not allow the appearance that Pakistan's sovereignty is threatened; that the tribal areas and other rebellious and separatist regions threaten the current administration installation. Which is why on January 9, Musharraf publicly refused the appeals of both Michael Hayde (CIA Director) and Mike McConnell (Director of National Intelligence) to allow greater CIA freedom in operations within the tribal regions.
Two drones and a missile killing Taliban supporters? It wasn't Pakistan.
1.29.2008
Whose Missile?
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Also, I don't know if y'all have read this article, but it's really insightful. It's about waning American hegemony. I didn't have much to say about it, so I didn't post on it, but here it is:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/magazine/27world-t.html
Wow, that article is scary as far as it's statements on the future of this country. Makes heading over the pond sound like a good idea.
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