In what was described as "open terrorism", U.S. forces have once again slaughtered Pakistani civilians---including the killing of at least six children. Such heavy-handed operations conducted by the C.I.A. and American forces are deplorable and despicable. What the United States considers regrettable collateral damage is no less than murder and should be tried as a war crime; though it should be noted President Bush refused to sign onto the international court.
The U.S. bombing of Pakistan, Friday, stemmed from intelligence information on the whereabouts of a top Al Qaida member. However, erroneous U.S. intelligence has become frighteningly de rigor. Which brings to question the possibility that in this case, and possibly others, there was never any credible intelligence regarding a particular militant's location, but the attacks served a broader purpose nevertheless. (If this brings to mind the case to go to war in Iraq, one would not be incorrect in reasoning that this strategy has served useful to the United States in the past.)
The military operation also overstepped American-Pakistani foreign relations. Pakistan is considered an ally of the United States in its fight against al Qaeda terrorists, and actively pursues terrorists haboured within its country. But in this case, the U.S. attack on the Damadola village in northwestern Pakistan was deemed an infringement on Pakistan's sovereignty. It is believed a U.S. drone Predator aircraft was used to fire four missiles which razed three houses, killing 17 to 30 people. American troops are barred by Pakistan from crossing it's border from Afghanistan, even in pursuit of militants, thus the use of the un-manned American craft.
This reversal of scenes, whereby the United States, once a victim of great terrorism, now routinely commits terrorist attacks against foreign civilians, is slowly coming to the consciousness of the American people. It begs the question: who is the terrorist now?
