GWOT Back On Again
Allah be praised. Part of it’s back on, anyway, as Obama continues the war criminal Bush’s practice of whacking suspected terrorists across borders without international authority, without a warrant, without whatever you’re supposed to have when you kill jihadis. What a relief. I was afraid he might entirely wienie out on anything not UN approved. Surely the generals must have explained to him in that big military confab the other day that it drives the Paks nuts, wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more.* At least 10 jihadis, including foreigners and a high-value target, won’t be down to breakfast. Regretably, it looks like their hosts may have bought the goat pasture as well. Sounds like Obama’s got civilian blood on his hands. Washington Post kicks off UPDATED links and comment:
U.S. Predator drone fired three missiles at a compound about two miles from the town of Mirali in the tribal area of North Waziristan about 5:15 p.m., according to a Pakistani security official and local residents. The precision strike leveled a compound, which was owned by local tribal elder Khalil Malik, killing at least 10 suspected militants, including five foreign nationals, according to the Pakistani security official. The site of the attack is about 30 miles east of the Afghan border.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said Malik was killed along with his brother and nephew. Authorities in North Waziristan, however, said they have been so far unable to identify any of those killed because militants immediately cordoned off the area. “I suspect a high-value target may be among the dead,” the Pakistani security official said.
Jan Mohammad, a local tribesman, said Malik and his relatives probably died in the strike, which sparked panic among Malik’s neighbors. Mohammad said that Malik was an influential tribal elder but that he was not known to have links with the Pakistani Taliban or other insurgent groups in the area.
Bummer for Malik. Maybe the neighbors will get the message about what happens when you have foreign jihadis over for goat kebabs.
* About the wink and a nod:
Regional and intelligence experts say the strikes have improved in precision and have hit several top insurgent commanders in recent months. The notable change in tempo and reported accuracy could be partly attributed to a growing sense of urgency inside the Bush White House as the progress in the seven-year long war in Afghanistan stalled during the waning days of the administration.
Samina Ahmed, director of the International Crisis Group in Pakistan, attributes some of the change to increased cooperation between the United States and Pakistan.
“Given the fact that the past few strikes have actually gotten their targets with minimal or no civilian casualties, there is obviously better cooperation between the U.S. military and Pakistan,” Ahmed said. “Now is that coming because of better cooperation from the U.S. military and Pakistani military? That’s what the U.S. military seems to be saying. But you have to also consider whether it’s not just the military but better cooperation with the civilian government and better human intelligence.”
ABC, not only is he whacking terrorists indiscriminately, he doesn’t want to talk about it.
Asked about it at his daily press briefing, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said, “I’m not going to discuss that matter.”
So much for the New Transparency. Y’know. I’m thinking, if he’s gonna be riding out on the range and being all cowboy, he may want to get a real podner. Ditch that eastern city slicker Biden.
Hot Air, Candygram for Mr. AQ.
A Malkin reader wants to know where the anti-war libs and the baby killer signs are.
As a war criminal myself, unlawful combatant, if you will, who never pulled a triggr but might as well have, I’d like to welcome Obama to the club. He has now, as Jimi Hendrix put it, been experienced. Here’s the secret. Experience isn’t something that you get. It’s something that gets you. Of course, Obama didn’t have to see the results of his actions, which is good, because splattered jihadi isn’t pretty. Ever seen a child with shrapnel wounds? That’s worse. You know what they say. It’s a dirty job but someone’s gotta do it. Welcome to the Oval Office, Obama. I hope you had a good night.
So where are the lefties on this one? Newshog loved the first two days of the Obama admin but is respectfully if in a somewhat alarmist manner turning sour. Must have thought anti-jihad ops were off. Too bad, disillusionment is a terrible thing.
Here’s another guy who wants to give peace a chance.
American Spectator: Obama pattern to date indicates any cut left is followed by a cut right. Interesting. Pathetic effort to please everyone or clever ploy to keep everyone guessing?
Embedding with the Taliban has been a popular journo gig lately, though it mainly seems to involve listening to Bollywood hits in Toyota 4×4s and hanging around drinking tea in mud huts with scowling guys in pajamas … in other words your average jaunt across name-your-dusty-region of greater Derkaderkastan. No combat embeds with the Taliban yet, which is a good thing because unlike the old days, when embedding with the Muj vs. the Russians was all the rage, the Taliban face high rates of martyrdom when they engage the hated Crusaders. But there’s a heck of a story to be told about whoever is getting the intel on these compounds they keep dropping Hellfires on in Waziristan. Maybe we’ll get it someday.
Topics: GWOT, Obama, Pakistan, hated Crusaders, terrorists
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 9:40 pm on Friday, January 23, 2009
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