Kerry: Drone Strikes In Pakistan Could End Soon

[ucrdem]

Source: AP via TPM

DEB RIECHMANN August 1, 2013, 3:55 PM 167

ISLAMABAD (AP) — {snip)

Kerry announced the resumption of talks during his first visit to Pakistan as secretary of state. He said the U.S. does not want bilateral relations defined solely by hot-button security issues like counterterrorism and the war in Afghanistan.

“In the last few years we’ve experienced a few differences,” Kerry said, politely understating the testy, roller-coaster relationship with Pakistan. “We cannot allow events that might divide us in a small way distract from the common values and the common interests that unite us in big ways.”

Pakistani officials have been angry about U.S. drone strikes against suspected militants in Pakistan, claiming they violate their sovereignty. They used Kerry’s visit to press the U.S. to stop the drone attacks.

“I think the program will end as we have eliminated most of the threat and continue to eliminate it,” Kerry told the Pakistan TV interviewer. “I think the president has a very real timeline and we hope it’s going to be very, very soon. I think it depends really on a number of factors, and we’re working with your government with respect to that.”

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/kerry-drone-strikes-in-pakistan-could-end-soon.php?ref=fpb

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. . . won't be long. I predict less than a year.

[Arctic Dave]

1. This toy isn't fun no more!!

Dollars to donuts he gives this to contractors to do.

[Fearless]

2. I wonder if the IRS would take that answer

In regards to my taxes next year... "Hey, I could pay them soon."

[ucrdem]

4. Sure they would, if you filed for an extension

and even if you didn't they'll be happy to receive your payment whenever you make ti.

[Fearless]

5. Al Capone might suggest otherwise.

[DallasNE]

3. The Fact That Pakistan Allowed Sanctuaries Inside Their Country

Is the biggest reason that drone strikes inside Pakistan became policy. Those strikes got some big name targets but they also have a history of high collateral damage (civilian causalities') so they have long been a mixed bag from a cost/benefit basis. Today the costs far outweigh the benefits and that is what Kerry is conceding here. Too bad Pakistan allowed these sanctuaries in the first place but it is what it is. Time to move on.

This also fits with the new announcement of a quicker withdrawal from Afghanistan. While this has all taken longer than the timeline I would have used I don't have access to nearly as much as the administration so I have to cut them some slack but the moves are all in the right direction and that is what matters the most. Who knows, what happens here and in Syria may well open the doors to an agreement to settle the Israel/Palestine issue. A severely weakened Syria should certainly be good news in that regard though we still have to see what replaces the current government in Syria. Egypt is again going through some struggles as well but these kinds of upheaval's create challenges. And that is the perfect opportunity for a breakthrough on Middle-East peace.

[ucrdem]

6. I think drones are here to stay.

As whiz-bang military technologies go they're one of the few that have lived up to their billing and actually delivered a benefit, if we can call surgical strikes a benefit, more or less commensurate to their cost in collateral damage and civilian casualties. In any case pulling out of Af-Pak if/when it come to pass will be long overdue.

[Alamuti Lotus]

7. Oh good, it is comforting that they might stop murdering children on some very real timeline..

[ucrdem]

8. Yes it is.

You probably don't mean that in a kind way, but it's comforting nonetheless.