http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/International/01-Dec-2011/The-folly-of-drone-strikes
"The tragic “friendly fire” incident at the weekend, in which 24 Pakistani soldiers were allegedly killed in a Nato airstrike, raises many questions. Who shot first? How should Pakistan respond? What is the future for the already traumatised US-Pakistan relationship?"
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Atomics_MQ-1_Predator
I get most of my morning updates on this via Antiwar.com, so there's my bias... Pakistan to skip upcoming Afghanistan conference in protest at the NATO strike last weekend which killed 24 soldiers. Antiwar's Jason Ditz wrote on November 4th of Wall Street Journal's report that CIA have struck a deal to 'tone down' use of these aircraft, only launching missiles 'when damn sure it's worth it'.
Was the latest cross-border attack legal? Was it blatant aggression, revenge for Pakistan's cutting off of NATO supply route into Afghanistan? I forget, didn't they also ask the US to leave one of their bases within the fortnight? Thought I saw another report that 28 more soldiers were killed since then, also by drone... can't find it just now.
I guess we all follow the news, even at the most superficial level. Most here will be aware of the sequence of events, the Raymond Davis affair etc, and how the relationship between the two countries has been... 'developing'.
Is the Afghanistan conference 'doomed', as reports Germany's Der Spiegel?
http://rt.com/usa/news/us-drones-border-patrol-489/
AntwortenLöschenWhat do you know about drones? You know drones — those robotic, unmanned planes that fire missiles for the American military across Afghanistan, Pakistan and anywhere else the United States needs to get away with murder.
Well if you don’t know too much, don’t worry, that’ll change soon. The Federal Aviation Administration is looking into rules that will bring the controversial aircraft into the country, creating an United States airspace buzzing with tiny, robot planes to look over every inch of American soil — and maybe more.
Just gonna put this out there ....... knowing the US`s propensity for friendly fire incidents, this MAY have been a genuine mistake?
AntwortenLöschenThat tired cliche - the first casualty of war is truth.
AntwortenLöschenNo wonder that North Korea is working on an EM pulse weapon, I want one myself.
AntwortenLöschenhttp://www.amazing1.com/emp.htm
Was that at me?
AntwortenLöschenSo what are they going to do?
AntwortenLöschenKill the video-game player in return?
Or jail him for playing their game?
The world has to swallow that some are playing real life games and make some genuine collateral damage..(period).
Maybe we could ask them to kill 24 of their own civilians in return...They can call it genuine collateral damage as well. It would bring the war onto their own soil and make them think twice..sure the top 1% will not be affected, but that's the 99% own mistake. Sorry drones make me sick, especially if you imagine what they can do in combination with swarm-technology.
AntwortenLöschenNot sure why you`re asking me; what happened to the pilots who killed the British Servicemen in Iraq and Afghanistan? * shrug *
AntwortenLöschenThe US have even managed to kill their own in drone attacks
There have been friendly fire incidents starting from then the bow and arrow were invented. Part of the problems of ranged weapons. The longer the range, the greater the likelihood you are going to hit something you didn't intend to hit.
AntwortenLöschenwhy am I not surprised..?
AntwortenLöschenObviously in any conflict there will be collateral damage and I would suggest, as we await the result of the enquiry, that this is what occurred.
AntwortenLöschenAs regards the stance being taken by the Pakistani Government they are simply trying to walk that fine line between a level of diplomatic outrage that will match public outrage without going so far as to upset the already fragile relations between Pakistan and the West. One scenario they have cause to fear may come with the final withdrawal of US/NATO forces from the region. Pakistan has not been the most reliable partner in the fight against terrorism and their loyalties are questionable at best so why not just cut them adrift. Stop all aid to the region and let them sort themselves out, let China take over the role as peacemaker to the region. lol No doubt they have another word for collateral damage but they certainly wont be turning around within hours accepting responsibility and promising an inquiry. We should accept that the Chinese are probably less restrained by things like a relatively free press and human rights issues and are probably more capable of just getting things sorted out without a lot of negative publicity.
If the scenario played out as I think it would the West would save many, many billions in aid, would be able to close its borders to immigration from that region and be assured that China would eventually sort the problem out.
The fact that Pakistan is a nuclear power and Iran is on its way to being one would make little difference. China doesn't need their technology and, if the aid-giving West isn't in the equation, it doesn't even have to pander to them or rush to sort out internal problems until such times as they effect them directly. I suspect no-one would ever hear the term collateral damage in the region again.
One can only hope that China's not-so-subtle hints will have a sobering effect on the President and all who are advising/pressuring him regarding policy, and perhaps Israel and NATO also. We would do well to remember what happened last time China drew a line for us not to cross. We can safely assume they are many times more able to back up their warning now.
AntwortenLöschenThe threats and pressure against Iran have for too long been based not on any sensible interpretation of international law but on arrogant attempts to impose our will on a sovereign nation. And to the extent we ignore the fact that whether Pakistan cooperates regarding the "war on terror" is entirely for Pakistan to decide, we are risking a serious reaction there.
It seems that nothing less than an outside voice of reality will bring realization that the world is not ours to run will result in any change in thinking in what might be called the Defense Establishment.
Antiwar today reports that Pakistani forces intend to return fire if attacked again.
AntwortenLöschenI've got an idea... let's start World War 3? The world really needs that right now...
AntwortenLöschenPersonally I am stocking up on clubs and rocks to get ready for WW IV
AntwortenLöschen