The CIA’s drone bombing campaign in Pakistan resumed today after a two week pause when guided missiles from either a Predator or Reaper drone killed at least 10 al Qaeda and Taliban linked militants, according to AFP. The pause was the longest since the Obama administration stepped up the bombing campaign in summer 2008.
The strikes came in village of Sheerani Mada Khel in the district of North Waziristan, Pakistan, a stronghold of warlord Hafiz Gul Bahadur. A Pakistani security official told AFP that most of the dead were foreigners,” a term often used to describe Arab and Chechen fighters.
Bill Roggio writes that Bahadur is a member of what’s considered the “good Taliban,” in Pakistan, that is, Taliban fighters who don’t wage war against the Pakistani state, but rather cross the border into Afghanistan to attack U.S. troops. Bahadur is known to support Taliban leader Mullah Omar, the Haqqani network as well as al Qaeda.
– Greg Grant
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
It's a shame they had to pause and give the Taliban a chance to re-locate-also a shame the the head of the Senate Armed Services Committee decided to tell the world where the Taliban that are to be targeted in Pakistan are located.Levin said we know where they are headquartered and we shoul go after them–well they won't be there anymore -or at least I would think they would have hightailed it out of there after it was disclosed that we know their location.Nice operational security.
What do you want, he's a Dumbocrat? Their bread and butter is the disclosure of US classified secrets. Just ask Bob Torricelli, Patrick Leahy, Jay Rockefeller, Dick Durbin, Barry Soetoro, Joe Biden and Ron Wyden.
Sometimes you say "we know where you are" in hopes that they will get on the move and become more detectable.
That of course may be giving credit where it is not due.
You make it sound like we have not been trying to go after the Haqqanis. We killed one of Sirajuddin's brothers last year I believe. If we had a bead on Jalaluddin Haqqani, we would send a drone after him, no question. Unfortunately, the ISI is not being too helpful, for obvious reasons. Plus, Levin did not reveal a "classified secret." Read any of the literature on AfPak. What he said is old news. Levin meant we know the region where they operate, not the specific house or town. The bad guys already know we know.
Just a correction. Obama was not on office in 2008. Bush was still the president.
Um obama summer 2008?
The whole conflict is drawing out like a 100 oil spills.
This enemy will not surrender.
We must call a draft. It's time to step up as a country.
The only way to defeat them is to send enough men to sweep across ALL of Afghanistan & into the lawless areas of Pakistan.
I figure it would take 1-2 full army tours to complete the sweep.
During this period we must demand Pakistan and Afghanistan halt all civilian incoming international flights. This is to thwart insurgents.
After this is done allow their governments to do any rebuilding and take control, then LEAVE!
We obviously know foreign fighters are coming from Somalia, Yemen, Chechnya… we should then consider the same sweeps there just after.
I would rather we spend trillions & be sure to get the job done.
Bases drones & patrols is only making it worse. On our troops and the general population of all the countries involved.
Ending this conflict is the only way America will ever really know peace again.
It's time to use all we learned from wars & use it. Even underground atomic bombs to level these so called ' lawless areas'.
I feel its time Obama issue a promise to Alqueda and the Taliban. A promise to leave arab lands if they surrender. A promise to destroy their remaining areas of influence if does not.
I hereby nominate you as the new Secretary Of Defense—if you could get our allies to help it would end this war on terrorism a lot sooner than later–or at least a good portion of it.
Better clarify that–our allies are helping -I just mean for them to commit to a substantial increase in troop strength.
By calling a draft and showing full initiative to end this, our allies will follow suit. Atleast most of them.
It would be important to tell all governments we plan no bases. It would have to be a fully mobile sweep. Clear, de-arm &/or destroy, secure then move on
We would need China's help to mass supply vehicles I think, and our commercial airlines to transport us all.
Rob
1. “Sweeps of Gen Patton style” do not work, period.
2. A draft would elicit NAM style riots across the USA
3. LEAVING immediately after a “Sweep” allows for RE incursion of the same folks the “Sweep” swept….
bt
Understand your frustration. Afghanistan is a long, hard, slog. Alexander the Great, the Brits of yesteryear, the Russikies of yesterday. all got the message quickly.
Our REAL problem lies within the USA Electorate. We allowed the Leftists to impose thier agendas and are fighting a two front war. Here at home, supporting and aiding the Deployed troops, it is taking a toll.
Considering the toll. Currently there are 4 or 5 USN CVs on full deployment out of a force of some dozen. Reduced forward projection.
Out USA troops are cycling in and out of the US at physically demanding rates. The 10 Mountain of NY and VT just got back from their Nth deployment. The USMC stays continuallly at sea, not a good deal for any USMC family.
ALL this goes on while the arm chair operators recc massive “Sweeps”, Draft call ups. We need a thorogh re think of the USA FP across the world. and a re do of the DC Thinkers.
end
Semper FI
We WILL Prevail
The Taliban could easily disperse throughout Pakistan but the drone war serves as a wonderful recruiting tool and has zero military effect on the ground.
On the other hand what can Obama do realistically ? the Pakistanis have told him to back off and yet he has to be seen to be doing something to keep republicans off his back. It's like watching a team in the world cut score own goal after own goal all the time crowing about their scoring prowess.
Oblat…
Opine
For once, I agree that the OBNA has the correct action being taken. The use of the Unmanned Aircraft, plus the On the Ground troops supporting these strikes is D… effective.
A larger, WW2 style deployment is not possible. Likewise a multi year, say 10 more, will not fly with the USA Electorate. Better to log a few chops, than completely quit the field.
end
Semper FI
We WILL Prevail
Here we go again – typical of the politicians we have serving us now – halt the bombing – enguage the enemy into diplomatic communication! I don't believe the politicians learned anything from our past ! Sounds a lot like Laos & Cambodia, during the Vietnam Era (SAM SITES)!
How do you now that
IM GONNA FLY THISZ CANT WAIT I HOPE I GET THISZ JOB !
Opine
Folks. The Boeing Company is providing a New Air War fare method. These unmanned aircraft, deadly, on target, and able to Kill the Heads of the Enemy are the future. The USAF, USMC, USN F35 aircraft being killed, manipualted and actually produced may well be the last set of Joint Fighter/Bombers produced. Our prowess of On Target delivery now lies in the hands of Tech Pilots located hundreds of miles from the destruction.
bt
We enter into a true Star Wars era with these new weapons.
A lot to think about.
end
Semper FI
Pakistanis are disturbed and aghast at policies being pursued by the oldest and the nascent democracies, overtaken by the imperialist, expansionist and exploitative mindsets. Democracy is becoming domain of the highest bidders, political-military and industrial complexes, financial cartels and believers of the doomsday scenarios. This violates human rights under the Magna Carta, Bill of Rights of the American Founding Fathers and UN Resolutions and is infringement on the values of cultures, Faith in God and civil liberties. We consider war in Afghanistan a violation of these sacred principles. The largest suffering class belongs to the poorest of Pakistan, Afghanistan and families of coalition countries fighting in Afghanistan. All faiths teach peace and love for humanity. All those who have resorted to violence against innocent are in blatant violation of these beliefs. We appeal to conscience of the world to stand up against it. Political and religious leaders from all nations, should lead the way to peace to save mankind from extinction;
We, the people of Pakistan demand that unjust, and inhuman war in Afghanistan be stopped forthwith through collective power of the human conscience. (Part 2 in next comment)
Part 2
People of Pakistan demand:
1. Foreign presence in Afghanistan and Pakistan is not part of the solution but the problem. War must stop immediately.
2. Terrorism, violence and anarchy in Pakistan is a fallout from Afghanistan. Support to insurgent and terrorist groups in FATA and Balochistan originates from Afghanistan.
3. Afghan movement is led by leaders who are natural citizens of Afghanistan and legitimate representatives of resistance to foreign occupation. They have nothing against US interests. They must be treated as party to peace and brought into dialogue process.
4. Al-Qaeda is a convenient tool to cover all opposition to US policies in the region. We Pakistanis feel that this pretext is being used to prolong the presence in the region to re-engineer the boundaries of Pakistan and Afghanistan. We completely reject all such plans.
. 5. UN peace force be employed to arrange free and fair elections
Show me in the Koran where it is right to kill all that are not believers of your faith and then maybe I will begin to take into consideration your point of view.Tell the suicide bombers to stop killing innocent people-no matter what nationality or belief that hold and then maybe the world wil start a dialogue,until then the people of the world who love peace and freedom will continue to fight for those ideals.The taking of innocent lives is NEVER justified and it never will be.
Keep the bombings coming give them no chance to relocate, regroup, or even sleep.
For how long will you keep bombing the barren hills and distroying peoples lives. To take revenge of 9/11 you picked up two of the most poor nations, Pakistan and Afghanistan who were not at all connected with tragedy. Most of them were Eguptians, lived and planned in Germany and giot fluing training in US. You did like Three Stooges of the movies where Curly hits Moe and Moe hits Larry.
Masud
The Democrats have no clue what Operational Security means in the broader sense. They aren't even intereted in fighting much less winning the war on terror either.
you are ever so smart! I am one Democrat who would be GLAD to show you if we believe in fighting-shut your mouth you know nothing punk
In my original statement I did not say anything about party affiliations I was talking about in general, that Military ops and knowledge of locations of terrorists should NEVER be divulged in the news or anywhere else–period—.
Who has more clues. What dis Republicans gain in Viet Nam. They told lies in UN Security Council that Iraq had Chemical and Nuclear weapons. Powell even showed a vial of germs, that turned out to be fake. How many did you find?
Well! I will put my two cents worth in. Our foreign policy really sucks in fighting the enemy and it is
not getting any better.