Diplomacy through Murder

In the aftermath of the Chicago NATO meet and Pakistan’s refusal to open NATO supply lines, a flurry of drone attacks have been carried out in a very short period of time. In the immediate aftermath of Raymond Davis’s release, USA had carried out a drone attack on an elders meeting which killed many innocent people. So, it seems to have become a popular mode of US diplomacy to express their displeasure by killing people. Strange diplomatic norms.

But of course the narrative that the american media laps up is that these are wonderful precision strikes based on ‘solid’ intelligence which magically target ‘militants’ in mosques, cars, houses, markets while avoiding ‘civilians’. Wonderfully smart bombs these.

NATO forced to admit killing of civilians in Libya

After staunch and oft repeated claims of no “confirmed” civilian casualties as a result of NATO bombings in Libya, that lie is firmly exposed. A study by reporters of only a SMALL SAMPLING of strike locations has provided that confirmation. The real magnitude of the death toll will remain hidden as NATO has not and will not investigate these deaths as per their own admission. It has now been confirmed that many women & children were among NATO’s victims, many of them killed in their sleep. Also, people who tried to rescue the victims as well as ambulances also came under attack from NATO and suffered casualties. NATO and USA have and will continue to harp about their campaign in Libya being a success. The media and right wing nutters will fall over themselves and sing praises about the “successful” campaign. The innocent men, women and children who were murdered by NATO may not share this assertion.

NATO Forced to Admit Air Strikes Killed Dozens of Libyan Civilians, Contradicting Initial Denials

“We only saw a small sampling of the strike sites that may have been affected, so the death toll is probably much larger”

Hearts and Minds? …

Wonder why they hate US? What about the failure of the much touted COIN strategy in Afghanistan? The desperate killing spree by shadowy American units killing Afghan civilians – men, women & children – in unprecedented numbers. The razing of entire villages, the dead children, the desperate tactics resulting in immense suffering & death. How can anyone EVER wonder why they hate US?

Transcript @
NATO Gunships Kill 9 Afghan Children; 3rd Reported Attack on Afghan Civilians in 2 Weeks.

Video Duration : 10 minutes

Interactive Map of attacks on NATO Supply Lines

Stratfor has released an interactive map detailing the attacks on NATO Supply Lines in Pakistan. For more, see NATO Supply Line Security in Pakistan

EDIT: Link to map http://www1.stratfor.com/images/interactive/Supply_line_attacks.htm?fn=4917321338

Pakistan being arm twisted to give free hand to US

Pakistan has suffered enormous loss, both in innocent human lives as well as economic terms, due to US’s illegal and ill advised invasion of Afghanistan. So, while Pakistan’s military is overstretched and engaged in operations incurring financial and human costs, what does “ally?” US do?
Plays politics and arm twisting to get free hand for its contractors and diplomats to roam freely in Pakistan. The funds being withheld are not aid but money that belongs to Pakistan. Meanwhile, British embassy has mislaid hundreds of Pakistani passports. And yet the West sees fit to chide Pakistan to do more in terms of security. Links and quotes below.

Marjah: TRNN — Civilians are the Key!

The “Battle” of Marja
Transcript included in above link if you prefer to read the content rather than watching the opinion piece.
Give it a watch/read. Gives an opinion on how peace can be brought to Marjah and what pitfalls are on that road.

Video below,