To the Point
Is Homegrown Terrorism Blowback from the Predator Drones?
President Obama has increased the number of CIA-drone strikes in Pakistan. Insiders claim they’ve taken out hundreds of militants dangerous to the US. But has that apparent success created a new threat—on American soil? Was Faisal Shahzad’s failed bombing in Times Square attempted revenge? Supporters of the drone program concede there’s a toll on innocent Pakistanis. Nobody really knows how much collateral damage there is. What do American Muslims—Pakistanis and others—think about that? Is short-term alienation worth it if the strikes produce long-term gains?
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenPresident Obama has increased the number of CIA-drone strikes in Pakistan. Insiders claim they’ve taken out hundreds of militants dangerous to the US. But has that apparent success created a new threat—on American soil? Was Faisal Shahzad’s failed bombing in Times Square attempted revenge? Supporters of the drone program concede there’s a toll on innocent Pakistanis. Nobody really knows how much collateral damage there is. What do American Muslims—Pakistanis and others—think about that? Is short-term alienation worth it if the strikes produce long-term gains?
