Today's Guardian as an article with new new and old news:
The new news:
Two Pakistani intelligence officials said US drone-fired missiles had struck a militant compound in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan early on Sunday, killing seven militants and wounding four. The compound, around 300 metres from the Afghan border, was used by fighters loyal to the Pakistani Taliban commander Hafiz Gul Bahadur as well as Uzbek militants.
First I had heard of Uzbek militants in Pakistan.
Up to no good, no doubt. For more detailed information see The Economist: The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan: Here comes trouble | The Economist and the accompanying map:
Also see The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace article about likely jihadist activity in Central Asia, discussed in this blog here.
The old news in today's Guardian is this:
The covert US drone programme has eliminated several top militants but has also resulted in civilian casualties, making it extremely unpopular among Pakistanis, who condemn it as violation of their country’s sovereignty.
Have we written off Pakistan as an ally in the struggle against the Islamic State? There is no substantial difference between militant Islamics in Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and Pakistan has The Bomb. Droning Pakistan seems counter-productive, when viewed from the Middle of the Pacific Ocean.
No comments:
Post a Comment