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Obama confirms U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan

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He should not have told the Paki Govt.

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Appeaser. Soft on terror.

;-)

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As military strategy is being changed, drones will continue to strike their targets. Success rate is increasing.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Another blow to the GOP candidates attempting to paint the prez that finally got Binny as being shy on national security.

What a blow for the wingnuts, denied once again their Chuck Norrid fantasies.

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Heh, and I can't believe the pak minister replied by text. That's a fundie, nucler armed country thats is out of control. Thank allah for the Yanks keeping on top of the blighters.

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being shy on national security.

Its questionable whether blowing up SUSPECTED al-Quaida members has anything to do with the national security of America when all the people SUSPECTED of having anything to do with 9/11 are dead. Throw in the fact that they are in PAKISTAN and its no longer questionable. It simply has nothing to do with American national security.

And blowing up Taliban in Pakistan is just a complete non-starter on the national security question.

Thank allah for the Yanks keeping on top of the blighters.

America is a huge reason why the Taliban now have control of parts of Pakistan, the same nuclear armed country both of us are worried about.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Success rate is increasing.

hudagree, you mean fewer obvious civilians are getting murdered by drone or more or what exactly? How do you define success?

I find the extraterritorial extrajudicial killing by robot to be too completely embarrassing to bring up the word "success" myself. The American Founding Fathers are surely rolling in their graves. Well, the decent ones anyway. Not talking about Hamilton.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

If GWB was doing this, the liberal media would be screaming like hell.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

King Baz,

I agree it's questionable. But it beats letting the bastards train and plot with impunity. GWB had to sing a planet size hammer after 9/11, the American people demanded it and even I supported that fiasco.

If the truth be known, this covert method should have been used in Afghanistan. Would have saved a train-load of dollars and thousands of NATO personel.

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I'm no fan of the drone strikes but to put US forces in the FATA would be extremely dangerous for the troops. This is the best option in a bad situation.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

While I have found fault with the Obama administrations general foreign policies, his military actions have been very successful for the most part, in some cases impressively so. Definitely a plus for him while campaigning for reelection.

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Madverts

But it beats letting the bastards train and plot with impunity.

If training and plotting are crimes worthy of death now, better to turn the drones on the Pentagon and CIA headquarters.

America has not experienced a successful foreign terrorist attack for 10 years now. All attempts since have been a joke. Al-Quaida is not focused on America anymore, in part because the leaders who made that focus are dead.

Nobody wants to hi-jack planes anymore because they know its a death sentence. All that equal low risk to us. If we are going to kill people for training and plotting with low risk to us, we might as well bomb China, Iran and North Korea right now.

Sorry, but I can only see your view as paranoia, the type of paranoia that brought us 9/11 in the first place.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So Madverts thinks that America has not experienced a successful terrorist attack since 9/11 because our enemies are not focused on us anymore, not because of the policies put in place by George W. Bush and continued by Barack Obama.

"The type of paranoia that brought us 9/11"

Good grief, it wasn't paranoia, it was a lack of sufficient protective measures against the wackos who, make no mistake, are still plotting to kill us.

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Madverts - Sorry! I confused you with the King!

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Serrano

Good grief, it wasn't paranoia, it was a lack of sufficient protective measures against the wackos who, make no mistake, are still plotting to kill us

Your right it wasnt paranoia that caused 9/11 it was an intense hatred of the US by certain groups and that hatred was brought about by your own actions. And yes they are still plotting to kill you, why? Because you still go around doing as you please in other nations, killing innocent civilians, firing your missiles from your UAV's. Given that you are untouchable these terrorists will strike back however they can and people are the easiest targets havent you Americans worked that out yet. You still havent worked out your in a losing battle either obviously, every civilian you kill you make more enemies more people that want revenge. SO its a never ending cycle and just because you hold up a lovely banner saying mission accomplished means nothing to the people who have had family killed by a UAV and missile.

Dont mistake this for me supporting these people as l dont, l just dont agree with the US way of doing things or your inability to see your own blame in this situation which dooms you to repeat it over and over again.

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The more time that goes by, the more that the Obama version of foreign policy resembles that of Bush II.

Guantanamo? Still open. Troops in Iraq? Yep. the "embassy" has a staff of 16,000. Patriot Act? Strengthened Drone strikes? More than before. Killing of American citizens? Yep, done before they even had a trial.

"Hope and change" indeed.

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Your right it wasnt paranoia that caused 9/11 it was an intense hatred of the US by certain groups and that hatred was brought about by your own actions.

Please educate me.What actions exactly on the part of the US caused 9/11? In your long post, you forgot to mention them.

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Did President Obama declare on Pakistan?

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Ben_Jackinoff: Please educate me.What actions exactly on the part of the US caused 9/11? In your long post, you forgot to mention them.

I believe it was because of foreign troops being on Saudi soil during Gulf War I. That was the crossing of the line as far as bin Laden was concerned, someone who wanted to turn the entire Middle East into a Taliban state regardless of whether the US existed or not.

Or, as put by others, it's because the US drops bombs everywhere and kills everyone and takes people's oil and we created them and we deserve them and stuff like that.

You'll have to excuse Cletus, tho. He's still trying to wrap his head around all of the terrorist attacks in Europe, the killing of politicians, riots over cartoons, and things that can't be explained by US foreign policy. It's easier just to sweep all of that under the carpet and talk about the US. Keeps 'em sane.

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I believe it was because of foreign troops being on Saudi soil during Gulf War I.

Yes, you are correct. That is what bin Ladin said was the reason. He kind of forgets the Saudis invited rather gladly the US troops there. Then bin Ladin tossed in something about Palestinians for more sympathy. However, there was not a heck of a lot of killing innocent civilians and firing missiles going on on or before 9/11. So, I am kind of curious why Cletus' comments seem to ignore this very important fact as well.

Keeps 'em sane.

You forgot the 'in'.

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The President has many Pakistani friends. His roomate in college was from Pakistan. During the last campaign I remember him telling a radio reporter that believe it or not he was familiar with all of the works of Pakistan's greatest Urdu poets.That's somehting Romney could never say. Also, he could pronounce "Pakistan" properply, when McSame couldn t'.( pah: ki ' stah:n ) That must have won over many Pakistanis, because all of my friends (and even my therapist) were impressed. Let's not forget the speech to Muslim believers everywhere, delivered from Cairo, that wowed the whole world and singlehandedly launched the Arab Spring. All that our president has to do is go there to Pakistan and tell the common people to believe in hope and change.

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SuperLib

I believe it was because of foreign troops being on Saudi soil during Gulf War I. That was the crossing of the line as far as bin Laden was concerned, someone who wanted to turn the entire Middle East into a Taliban state regardless of whether the US existed or not.

Wow just goes to show the level of intellect in these US all the way crowds. So just to quote you "Bin Laden wanted to turn the mid east into a Taliban state" am l reading that correctly. Now you do realise that Bin Laden and the Taliban are not one and the same. I know it can get a little confussing for you Americans but they are not the same entity. Maybe you should look that up some time then you wouldnt make little mistakes like this.

You'll have to excuse Cletus, tho. He's still trying to wrap his head around all of the terrorist attacks in Europe, the killing of politicians, riots over cartoons, and things that can't be explained by US foreign policy. It's easier just to sweep all of that under the carpet and talk about the US. Keeps 'em sane.

Great retort there SuperLib, done your usual cant debate the facts lets attack the person strategy. It normally takes you a bit longer than this though. Oh l can wrap my head around what you are saying, what you and your mate Jackinoff cant grasp is the fact that by invading / bombing / killing innocents (and yes l know you kill terrorists too and thats ok) you are creating anger in the muslim world. Now if you make enemies then they will plot to attack you and they may succeed, then you get upset and attack them back which angers them and the cycle continues. So as you can see merely attacking and killing will achieve nothing except make more enemies. But you Americans just have an inability to see that, just because your glorious leader says "mission accomplished" dont mean much to the rest of the world. The fact remains the more damage you do in the eyes of the muslims the more enemies you make and the more danger you put yourself in. So unless you plan on killing every single muslim in the world then l would suggest maybe looking for a different strategy.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Cletus, you show an incredibly short sighted view of things regarding the roots of terrorism and Islamic tyranny.

It started before 911, before Gulf War 1, even perhaps before the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Wahabbism (sp) has been a growing cancer for decades, from the start of the Muslim Brotherhood to present day Saudi Arabia. They would be our enemies regardless of current American foreign policy. Their ultimate goals are twofold: destruction of Israel, and the creation of an Islamic Caliphate to extend throughout all Muslim lands. Muslim lands include, of course, any countries that have any Muslim population.

The only end of the cycle is the destruction of militant Islam as a socio-political force. I realize that is an uncomfortable idea, that it doesnt fit easily in with negotiation or appeasement or compromise, but it is true. "If we stopped killing them, they would stop killing us" does NOT apply.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Thanks for your input and your anger. Glad to see the frustration level is still high. Bin Laden's vision of what he wanted is often described as a "Taliban-type state". It's not one that follows the Taliban exactly but in terms of his vision of Islam and the rigidity that he wanted it's often compared with what the Taliban created. But that's neither here nor there now. We went ahead and took bin Laden out with some pretty cool hardware. It was pretty awesome, they even have a video of it somewhere.

Oh l can wrap my head around what you are saying, what you and your mate Jackinoff cant grasp is the fact that by invading / bombing / killing innocents (and yes l know you kill terrorists too and thats ok) you are creating anger in the muslim world. Now if you make enemies then they will plot to attack you and they may succeed, then you get upset and attack them back which angers them and the cycle continues. So as you can see merely attacking and killing will achieve nothing except make more enemies. But you Americans just have an inability to see that, just because your glorious leader says "mission accomplished" dont mean much to the rest of the world. The fact remains the more damage you do in the eyes of the muslims the more enemies you make and the more danger you put yourself in. So unless you plan on killing every single muslim in the world then l would suggest maybe looking for a different strategy.

I was actually expanding the discussion to include the terrorist attacks in Europe, although I can understand why you wouldn't want to talk about that. I don't remember any military action by Danish cartoon writers or Dutch politicians, but perhaps you can enlighten me. I also remember quite a few countries staying out the Iraq yet still being the target of terrorist attacks that were either planned or carried out. Most Europeans prefer a point of view where their heads stay planted firmly in the sand, but you might be the first to actually boast about how far down your head is.

You also have attacks that were planned or carried out in dozens of countries across the world that are not the United States. Attacks in countries such -- wait, are you still there? Hello?

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SuperLib

Thanks for your input and your anger. Glad to see the frustration level is still high.

Love the twisting of views there. I see your memory is playing up again. You accuse me of anger and frustration yet you lead off your initial post directed at me with personal attacks and ridicule but to be honest l really didnt expect much better from a person of your type.

Bin Laden's vision of what he wanted is often described as a "Taliban-type state". It's not one that follows the Taliban exactly but in terms of his vision of Islam and the rigidity that he wanted it's often compared with what the Taliban created.

Oh so you are trying to change what you initially said l see, so youve gone from your blanket statement of "as far as bin Laden was concerned, someone who wanted to turn the entire Middle East into a Taliban state" to a revised statement since you made a small error in your argument. Thats the fastest backing out of a statement l have ever seen.

I was actually expanding the discussion to include the terrorist attacks in Europe, although I can understand why you wouldn't want to talk about that.

More than happy to discuss that if you wish but as this is about the US attacking Pakistan AGAIN how is Europe relevant to THIS news article.

I don't remember any military action by Danish cartoon writers or Dutch politicians, but perhaps you can enlighten me.

Yes there was the issue of the Dutch cartoons but are you really saying you know of no military action by the Dutch? Seriously dude do you not even know who your allies are in the war on terror! Oh thats right you probably think your the only country taking part sorry forgot the US mentality of its all us and no-one else. But just so you know the Dutch had 1345 troops, several attack helicopters and other units in Iraq, they also have had 2000 troops, with helicopters, jets in Afghanistan. Now prior to their involvement in the war on terror how many terror attacks had the Dutch had? Since the war on terror how many have they had or have been foiled? But seriously you do need to learn more about who your allies are. Really to say "I don't remember any military action by Danish cartoon writers or Dutch politicians" shows the lack of depth to your knowledge.

I also remember quite a few countries staying out the Iraq yet still being the target of terrorist attacks that were either planned or carried out. Most Europeans prefer a point of view where their heads stay planted firmly in the sand, but you might be the first to actually boast about how far down your head is.

So what countries in Europe have suffered terrorist attacks by Islamic terrorists that havent been involved in Iraq or Afghanistan. Please name one.

You also have attacks that were planned or carried out in dozens of countries across the world that are not the United States. Attacks in countries such -- wait, are you still there? Hello?

Yes maybe you can name a few like UK (involved in Iraq, Afghanistan), Netherlands (Iraq, Afghanistan), Australia (embassy bombed and Bali bombings again US ally), Sweden (bombing in retaliation to Swedish involvement in War on Terror) and the list goes on. So your smug response has no facts behind it AGAIN. Yet you accuse me of having my head ing the sand. Im sorry SuperLib but at least l know the countries involved in the War on Terror you didnt even know the Dutch took part. Shaking head in disgust....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

heh well you can shake your head in disgust all you want. At the end of the day it's better than frustration. You won't age as quickly. But personally, I like to see you angry and feeling helpless against the American machine. It keeps you in your cage of endless anger and I like the thought of that.

If you want to see previous statements I've made where I've used the words "Taliban-type state" then feel free to do so. You'll find it plenty of times, just click on my name and look back through my posts. My guess is that my answer was a little too close for comfort and you would prefer to be talking to someone who was way off. You haven't tried to slip in your own BS so perhaps you know you won't get too far with it.

I said there was no military action by Dutch politicians. If they've personally fought in the war and got murdered for it, please let me know. Same with cartoonists. These men were targeted or killed because of their ideas, not bombs. It's the same reason why Hollywood has imposed a blanket ban on symbols that might ignite radical Muslims. But I suspect you already know this and we're just wasting each other's time.

Ah, I see you've included a generalized "War on Terror" as a reason for being a target. I suppose that means that any country who has involved themselves with stopping international terrorism is a member, therefor any country I could mention would pretty much be included. That's a pretty cool trick considering it involves just about every country on the planet in some way, shape, or form. I guess everyone around the globe deserves to be killed by a terrorist in some way, ne?

Look, we can go around in circles forever if we wanted to. But the fact is that you're weak. You're hoping that if you can blame everyone but the terrorists then you can find a little part of the world where they will give you a free pass because you've been so good to them and kissed their ass like a good boy. The problem for you is that they will kill you just as quickly as they would kill me regardless of what we post on a message board. Oh, the irony of that situation if we ever found ourselves in it...

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"Islamabad is now reviewing its entire alliance with the United States"

Have they figured out what they would do if they lost the annual billions of dollars of U.S. aid?

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"Have they figured out what they would do if they lost the annual billions of dollars of U.S. aid?"

I seem to remember it was used against them recently. The worrying thing is the corrupt toads running Pakistan need aid to survive, but play appeasement to the fundies at home. A dangerous game. So they mutter about US airstrikes but in reality are glad someone is cleaning up the trash in their backyard.

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WilliB your speculation is not backed up by historic fact. The FACT is when GWB was doing this, the press where cheering him on. GWB never had a fourth estate that shone the light on his ongoing. His support was nearly universal until later on, when it became apparent to all that he had lied to get his war, Iraq, going. His drop in focus on Afghanistan is why we are still there and still fighting those that were the base of support for the actual 9-11 attacks. Obama has refocused and in that time, we have seen Al Qaeda hit hard, Osama Bin Laden killed as well as many of the other top guys in that terrorist group. Obama has done more to get the actual bad guys than GWB did in his full eight years.

What the world needs to realize is that the US is not going to sit back and be undermined by any state that lets terrorist group, train, plot and plan attacks on US interest. We will not be hamstrung by a new Ho Chi Minh trail or safe havens. The states have a choice. They can go after said terror groups on their own and handle their business when in state or they can claim impotence and let the US do it. Pakistan, our "ally" seems to think that we will just wait there on the border of Afghanistan for Taliban/Al Queda fighter to cross. They are dead wrong; we will hit them wherever they are.

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Cletus: I just chuckle to myself every time you get a terrorist scare or you lose more troops

There we go. Let me nudge you a little more into the spotlight, then we can snap the photo. I won't even charge you for it.

Yeah right the politicians are targetted because of their policies surely you realise that and cant be that daft

Really? We're still here? We both know why only one specific politician was killed. And it's obvious you're ignoring the cartoon now. Yet here you are, still typing away like I can't see through you. Honestly, what's the point?

As for your statement about hollywood what a joke

Oh, it's no joke to them. Try getting a picture of Mohammad on TV or film. Can't. Blanket ban. But again, you already know this, and admitting that you watch NCIS won't change that. And just because Hollywood refuses to ever have an evil US government character...

and it is you that is throwing the hissy fit no that someone has refuted your GWB version of the world.

What's wrong with GWB? I remember years ago when Madverts and I were back in Texas shooting vermin with our .22s and talking about how much we wanted to BE that man. But since you aren't American like us and since you didn't vote for GWB like we did you couldn't possibly understand that. It's a Republican thing.

l am merely suggesting a long hard look at the way we are doing things and see if theres a better way. But as per usual you americans cant handle your ways being questioned which is why you lose every time.

You might think that you are trying to make things better, and that probably is your motivation, but the obvious obsession with the United States is what gets in your way. I'll stop poking at you if you stop mentioning "America" in every 3rd sentence. There's a big, complex picture out there and you're trying to solve a puzzle by taking the biggest piece to the other room.

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SuperLib

I have read and reread your post now several times and l thought about how to respond to it. Whether to mention your selective quoting (only picking a little of the statement and twisting it to your advantage without using the full quote. But then it hit me.... One statement you made sums it all up with perfection:

"What's wrong with GWB? I remember years ago when Madverts and I were back in Texas shooting vermin with our .22s and talking about how much we wanted to BE that man.

See anybody who would want to "BE" GWB obviously aint the sharpest tool in the shed to start with. And anyone who says :

But since you aren't American like us and since you didn't vote for GWB like we did you couldn't possibly understand that. It's a Republican thing."

Definately is a stubby short of a sick pack. So enjoy your warm fuzzy thoughts and best of luck with it.

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"Definately is a stubby short of a sick pack. So enjoy your warm fuzzy thoughts and best of luck with it."

Cletus you claim to "chuckle" to yourself when the US loses troops. At least you share some common ground with the Taliban!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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