CIA drone kills 40 civilians in Pakistan, fuels already-simmering extremism
A U.S. Predator drone missile strike killed up to 40 innocent civilians in Pakistan’s tribal area on Thursday, outraging Pakistani government and military officials. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the “irrational” attack and said it will “only strengthen [the] hands of radical and extremist elements.” Elizabeth Gould and Paul Fitzgerald, two renowned experts on Afghanistan, see this as yet another illustration of waning American power, reminiscent of another empire that tried to once dominate the region.
Gould and Fitzgerald have authored two books on Afghanistan and have written extensively about the CIA’s covert drone program - which they refer to as “extrajudicial executions”. Shortly after today’s incident, the couple said to me:
"The US and Pakistani military are walking a very thin line that has been tested before but has never been under such pressure. Like the British before them, the US is no longer the overwhelming authority in South Asia but continues to act as if it is. The Cold War monologue still reigns supreme in Washington but continues to fail when faced up against the new and very hard realities of resolving its legacy inherited from the British."
Pakistani army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was also irate, denouncing the act as a complete violation of human rights and one which hinders their efforts to eliminate terrorism. According to Dawn.com, it was a rare public statement by Kayani - the first during his second term in office. Kayani also said in his statement:
"It is highly regrettable that a jirga [meeting] of peaceful citizens including elders of the area was carelessly and callously targeted with complete disregard to human life. It has been highlighted clearly that such aggression against people of Pakistan is unjustified and intolerable under any circumstances."
The timing of American negligence couldn’t have been worse.
Atlantic Wire: U.S. Drone Attacks Resume After Release of CIA Contractor
Drone Wars UK: Pakistan protests after deadly drone strike and release of CIA Agent
AWIP: US drone strike kills 41 killed in Pakistan (North Waziristan)