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?
In this episode
3 storiesScramble to Form a Government After British Elections
As predicted, British voters have created a so-called “hung Parliament,” where no party has the 326 members needed to form a government on its own. The Conservatives won 305 seats, yesterday, Labour 255 and the Liberal Democrats 61. In a bid to stay on as Labour Prime Minister, Gordon Brown says he’ll negotiate with anybody.
Read the story8 minIs Homegrown Terrorism Blowback From The Predator Drones?
Why would a naturalized American citizen try to set off a bomb in Times Square? One theory is that Faizal Shahzad was radicalized by CIA-drone strikes in his native Pakistan--strikes that have killed not just the militants actually targeted but innocent civilians as well. Robert Baer was a Middle East field officer for the CIA.
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