The Pakistanis have often seemed to be a reluctant participant in the venture. The choice to cooperate with the U.S. has seemed more like a self-preservation tactic than a true desire to rid their country of terrorist elements.
The Pakistanis have shown a more porous defense against terrorists sneaking across the border from Afghanistan than the Denver Broncos.
President George W. Bush made it very clear after 9/11 that we would attack terrorists and those who support them no matter where in the world they hide. Unfortunately for Pakistan, the western, mountainous parts of the country is where many terrorists have chosen to take refuge.
Drones have been an effective means of hitting the terrorists where they live without risking U.S. lives. The program has been highly successful.
The CIA-led drone program has worked under a secret arrangement with Pakistani intelligence officials, according to the Wall Street Journal. Pakistani officials are supposed to deny involvement in the drone hits and criticize them in public while Pakistani intelligence personnel secretly relay targeting information to the CIA.
The solution for the Pakistanis is simple. If you don't want the U.S. to use drone attacks on terrorists and militants in Pakistan, stop harboring terrorists. The Pakistan government's cooperation in the war on terror has been marginal at best. They have been unable to rid their territory of key terrorist targets while not allowing U.S. military personnel to cross the Pakistan border and take of the problem ourselves.
If Pakistan had taken this attitude back in late 2001 they may have become a target instead of a partner. Pakistan's attitude is key to making any progress in Afghanistan.
The choices for Pakistan remain the same as they did on Sept. 12, 2001. Work with us, work against us or get out of the way and let us do the job ourselves. Either way, Pakistan is going to have drones flying overhead until the terrorists are gone.
The Pakistanis have shown a more porous defense against terrorists sneaking across the border from Afghanistan than the Denver Broncos.
President George W. Bush made it very clear after 9/11 that we would attack terrorists and those who support them no matter where in the world they hide. Unfortunately for Pakistan, the western, mountainous parts of the country is where many terrorists have chosen to take refuge.
Drones have been an effective means of hitting the terrorists where they live without risking U.S. lives. The program has been highly successful.
The CIA-led drone program has worked under a secret arrangement with Pakistani intelligence officials, according to the Wall Street Journal. Pakistani officials are supposed to deny involvement in the drone hits and criticize them in public while Pakistani intelligence personnel secretly relay targeting information to the CIA.
The solution for the Pakistanis is simple. If you don't want the U.S. to use drone attacks on terrorists and militants in Pakistan, stop harboring terrorists. The Pakistan government's cooperation in the war on terror has been marginal at best. They have been unable to rid their territory of key terrorist targets while not allowing U.S. military personnel to cross the Pakistan border and take of the problem ourselves.
If Pakistan had taken this attitude back in late 2001 they may have become a target instead of a partner. Pakistan's attitude is key to making any progress in Afghanistan.
The choices for Pakistan remain the same as they did on Sept. 12, 2001. Work with us, work against us or get out of the way and let us do the job ourselves. Either way, Pakistan is going to have drones flying overhead until the terrorists are gone.
