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Another day, another missile attack? |
by E-Lho :: Filed Under Daily Briefing :: February 28th, 2008 @ 8:58 am EST
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A brief trip through BBC-South Asia this morning left much to be desired.
- A clash in the Helmand province of Afghanistan killed 25 Taliban.
- Another missile strike in Pakistan, summarized in rather vague details and assumptions, killed thirteen ‘militants’ in South Waziristan today.
- And apparently, the Taliban control 10% of Afghanistan, just a few years after the U.S.-led NATO forces ousted the Taliban.
Referring to the missile strike in South Waziristan, an intelligence official “who declined to be identified told Reuters,
“Ten people, most of them believed to be of Arab origin, were killed and seven wounded.”
Is that supposed to be ‘good news’ or ‘bad news’?
Headlines like the above appearing on the front pages of most of the world’s major news sources on a daily basis, I can’t help but wonder why the U.S. and NATO forces involved in Afghanistan (and Iraq) continue to pursue the same mode of operation. For every militant killed, I imagine two or three more spring up to take the deceased’s place.
What are these stories really saying?
It’s hard not to think simple violence begets more violence. It’s pretty clear from these headlines that’s what’s happening.
Right. So isn’t it time to start talking about how to break the cycle?
Well, sure. Let’s start by dropping the word terrorist.
And ditch the whole concept of a ‘war on terror’ — kind of like the UK already has.
These targeted strikes against “suspected militants” have got to stop. Who decides who’s a “militant” and who isn’t? And on what basis?
The CIA is treading dangerously thin ice…