by DAVID AXE
It’s no secret that covert U.S. drone strikes on suspected Pakistani jihadists have killed both jihadists and innocent bystanders. But no one seems to know just how many of each have died. It’s a crucial question, as the U.S. attempts to balance the need to kill terrorist leaders, with the broader desire to maintain a strong alliance with Pakistan.
Gareth Porter, writing for Inter Press Service, provides a useful survey of the numbers question:
Since early 2009, Barack Obama administration officials have been claiming that the predator attacks in Pakistan have killed nine of 20 top al Qaeda officials, but they have refused to disclose how many civilians have been killed in the strikes.
In April, The News, a newspaper in Lahore, Pakistan, published figures provided by Pakistani officials indicating that 687 civilians have been killed along with 14 Al Qaeda leaders in some 60 drone strikes since January 2008 -– just over 50 civilians killed for every Al Qaeda leader.
A paper published this week by the influential pro-military Center for a New American Security (CNAS) criticizing the Obama administration’s use of drone attacks in Pakistan says U.S. officials “vehemently dispute” the Pakistani figures but offers no further data on the program.
What’s the truth? Considering Obama’s surprising tendency towards secrecy, regarding the drone attacks, it’s possible we’ll never know.
(Photo: Bryan William Jones)
Related:
Afghanistan, by the Numbers
Afghan Reserve Police = Tribal Militia, Redux?
Afghan Super-Bases Undermine U.S. Strategy?
World Politics Review: In Afghanistan, U.S. Experiments Again with Tribal Militias
Kandahar = “Black” Plane Playground?
As with Iraq, Brits Losing Afghanistan?
World Politics Review: Pakistan Drone Campaign Might Expand, Despite Risks
CNN Wants Only Blood and Guts in Afghanistan
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It’s a good thing that the dead bodies have a tag on them saying “jihadist” so that everyone can tell who was who.
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