Since Obama's presidentsy, there has been a six-fold increase in drone attacks, thats almost 300 strikes against Pakistan since he became president. The US has been effective in killing many terrorists, however there have also been 170 reported children dead from the drone attacks. The climbing rate of innocent casualties is too high a price to pay. I believe that the more woman and children that are murdered, the more the US stretches their alliance between ourselves and Pakistan. The more men who are striped of their family, the more men who seek revenge on the people who killed them. This is why I believe Obama needs to find a new weapon of choice. The drones make it to easy to kill people, children playing on the streets have been suspected of grown men planting a roadside bombs. People are seeing their cousins in pieces on the streets, an image they will never be able to forget. This prompts them to "get the people responsible finished off the same way." The killing of innocent civilians in the drone attacks are not only inhumane, but they are putting the alliance between Pakistan and the United States in danger. I believe the drone war needs to be stopped and that Pakistan needs to start taking action in their Tribal Regions. If nothing, the US needs to find more accurate ways to find someone guilty of terrorism. Because killing our allies is not the right way to do it.
Do you think drones are the right way to kill terrorists in Pakistan? How do you think these actions will effect the US's relationship with Pakistan?
Janelle Franklin
G Block
G Block
After reading the article and this response, I am torn in how to respond. In your response, the only real topic you mention is the issue of child casualties. However, while the killing of children by these drones is tragic and unfortunate, there is no evidence that the CIA ever intentionally targeted children in their drone strikes. After hearing the clip about the drone operator who almost struck a child playing in the streets, instead of seeing it as a horrific representation of how dangerous the drones are, I saw how the children were being mistaken for dangerous men. The article also mentioned how the casualties among children have greatly dropped in the past few years, showing that children are no longer of such high threat to being struck.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with both you and the article that the drones are a problem that must be solved and is causing more people to want revenge in the form of Islamic extremist groups like al-Qaeda, I want to remind you that the drones' purpose is to stop these groups and, so far, has succeeded to a certain extent at doing so. So now I would like to pose the question; if the CIA's method at fighting terrorism is causing terrorists to recruit, how do we fight terrorism? With or without the drones, it seems terrorism will be a problem. I feel like we just cannot win in the War on Terrorism.
You say you don't feel we can win the War on Terrorism. your question on how do we fight terrorism, I feel that if we stopped using these drones, we would have less terrorists to worry about fighting. The use of these drones is causing people to consider joining al-Qaeda because they want revenge for the lost lives of their loved ones. Its not only children that are getting killed, but also innocent men and women just going about their daily business.
DeleteI found an article related to the one that was posted, the only difference being that this one is mostly about the march lead to end this "drone war". It talked about how not only are the Pakistani marching, but they are also allowing American citizens to march with them through the tribal lands. According to the article, foreigners aren't usually allowed in the tribal lands. That means that everyone feels strongly enough about this to put aside their personal beliefs and rules to unite under a common interest: stopping the drone wars.The only chance we have of winning this war on Terrorism is if we stopped using the drones. Then we could have not only all Americans on our side again, but also many more Pakistani.
This article reminds me of how many wars go. The battle ending in a success, but in a Phyric Victory. This is where the victor is, victorious, but has lost more than what was gained. The attacks are costing more than the good the are doing for anyone. This leaves a terrible view against the U.S. and that makes terrorism an act people want to do.
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