A successful drone attack, with big consequences A US drone strike has killed Hakimullah Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistan Taliban. This would normally be touted as a big victory for drone strikes, proof that they can get the job done, showing their worth in the fight against terrorism. And yet the Pakistani government has condemned the move despite the number deaths Mehsud has caused in Pakistan. This is because the Pakistani government was just about to open talks with the Taliban. Killing one party to the talks leader is not a good way to start. Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Pakistans foreign minister said said the attack is not just the killing of one person, its the death of all peace efforts. This might be overstating the case, highlighting the way the US can take out Taliban leaders might encourage the next person in charge to talk rather than continue the Pakistani Talibans campaign of violence. Still it is odd timing, why not give talks a chance? Ultimately diplomacy is the way such conflicts are ended, and Pakistan is probably right to accuse the US of sabotaging their chance, even if it was probably quite slim. The US has stated the United States and Pakistan continue to have a vital, shared strategic interest in ending extremist violence so as to build a more prosperous, stable, and peaceful region. We have an ongoing dialogue with Pakistan regarding all aspects of the relationship and our shared interests, including security and counterterrorism cooperation, and we work together to address each others concerns. Clearly not a relationship in which the US values Pakistans input, I wonder if they were informed in advance. Oddly in relation to talks the Us says The issue of whether to negotiate with TTP is an internal matter for Pakistan which is a really odd statement when they have just initiated an act with such significance on talks. If talks are an internal matter why is bombing them not? with such a statement the US simply makes itself look inconsistent. bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24792516 idebate.org/blog-post/successful-drone-attack-big-consequences
Posted on: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 17:05:32 +0000
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