No let-up in US drone war in Pakistan

[laststeamtrain]

No let-up in US drone war in Pakistan

By Dan De Luce (AFP) – 2 hours ago

WASHINGTON — The expanding US drone war against Al-Qaeda may be disrupting the terror network's operations but the lethal bombing raids carry risks for Washington and its ally Pakistan.

The head of the CIA has defended the attacks in Pakistan by unmanned aircraft as "the only game in town" when it comes to targeting Al-Qaeda and its allies. US officials credit the bombing raids with knocking off key figures in the terror network.

Yet an unknown number of civilians have died in the bombing war, possibly as many as 700, according to the Pakistani press.

The strikes are deeply unpopular in Pakistan, with skeptics warning the tactic could backfire by sowing public anger while failing to defeat resilient extremist networks.

"The more there are unilateral targeted strikes in Pakistan, the higher political costs for the US, and for Pakistan, for allowing them to happen," Seth Jones, an analyst at the RAND Corporation, told AFP. ... http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iSx0O9rqfroVdyJRvKzbpSTdhemw

[rug]

1. 700 people have been killed in Pakistan by airmen in Nevada using joysticks?

[Flaneur]

2. No, 700 civilians have been killed, the article says.

Hearts and minds.

[timeforpeace]

3. Assassinations or bombs? Hmmm, let's think about this. Wonder what the villagers think?