Source: The Economist.
WHEN it comes to lethal drone strikes against foreign targets, America’s government and Congress should be aware that “what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander”, says John Bellinger, for eight years a government lawyer charged with explaining George W. Bush’s global war on terror to allies.
China and Russia are just two of the powers that may soon launch their own fleets of unmanned aircraft against suspected foes. It is not too far-fetched to imagine a near future in which a Russian drone targets a Chechen radical based in neighbouring Georgia, say, who appears immune from capture while apparently plotting an imminent strike on Russian targets.
Categories: Americas
Current US strategy of targeting terrorists through drones is quite logical and has proved successful specially in Pakistan. The masses of Pakistan are in fact have been fooled by PML(N) and PTI leadership just to have political gains. Instead making the nation clear that ongoing drone attacks are effectively eliminating the terrorists both political parties twist the facts and try to get cheap popularity. Violation of Pakistan sovereignty is the main slogan raised by both the parties. While the fact is each ordinary Pakistani knows that no writ of government exists in tribal areas as such practically the area no more belongs to Pakistani control. When terrorist outfits control the whole area where goes the sovereignty of Pakistan. US president has global vision and should continue its policies to eradicate menace of terrorism from the planet. Those who understand the problem of ongoing terrorism will always support him.
I am amazed at your comment Mr. Khan. Have you heard of the group of elderly men sitting around in time honoured fashion discussing local issues (called a jirga) when a drone strike killed them all in cold blood? Please learn about the facts before you make statements as the above!
The only far-sighted global vision of the presidents of US has been to be extremely unjust to (mainly Muslim) foreigners. The spectacular failure of this policy is evident in the resulting hatred of the west and of the US in particular. Sadly it has fanned terrorism and has done nothing to reduce it.
The longer it carries on, the more problems it will create.
Yes, the main point is that there should be only one law and one justice for all. If it is ‘right’ to ‘drone’ a group of men in the Tribal Areas of Pakistan it should be equally correct to drone a group of man in your own country (USA) who talk something you might not like. If that is not possible then there is something basically VERY wrong.
Well Ms Shah perception can differ and nothing to get amazed. Having served in Khaki for two decades I view the issue differently and still maintain given the circumstances prevailing in tribal areas of Pakistan its more useful way to eliminate the terrorists. It is just my persoanl view point and I do respect your view point too.
I agree with Fowzia Shah. Indiscriminately killing people never solved the problem of terrorism. In fact, it will make it worse since it increases the number of people who have issues with the West (USA), and then return the ‘favour’ in kind.
This will result in a continuous ‘war’ on terror like the on-going one. It’s been going on for over a decade!
And where and when do you suppose it will all end….?!
As an aside – men and women sure think differently as the above argument shows;)
Those who differ with my view point have all the rights to do so and I respect them all. However please keep in mind when some one has seen safe-heavens and sanctuaries where these terrorists are groomed and then supplied any where in the world, his perception about uprooting of such places aught to be different. Even the mighty power like USA and NATO failed to curb this menace by conventional methods as terrorists are well dug in and know the area much better than others. Even Pakistan Army was unable to expel these elements from the area. North Waziristan remains a challenge for the whole world. Killings due to drone attacks include many terrorists leaders. To arouse the sentiments of innocents, these terrorists merge in civil population and take humans as shield. As such innocent civilian casualties do occur. Just compare the number of Pakistanis killed in terrorism and the number killed in drone attacks. In drones figure is in hundreds while in terrorist activities number is surpassing almost 40 thousands. So do consider this point also while opining.