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Afghanistan
Drone War Spurs Terrorists to Deadly Reprisals
2012-12-30
[NY Times] ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- They are dead men talking, and they know it. Gulping nervously, the prisoners stare into the video camera, spilling tales of intrigue, betrayal and paid espionage on behalf of the United States.

"I am a spy and I took part in four attacks," said Sidinkay, a young tribesman who said he was paid $350 to help direct C.I.A. drones to their targets in Pakistan's tribal belt.

"Stay away from the Americans," he said in an imploring voice. "Stay away from their dollars."

Al Qaeda and the Taliban have few defenses against the American drones that endlessly prowl the skies over the bustling militant hubs of North and South Waziristan in northwestern Pakistan, along the Afghan border. C.I.A. missiles killed at least 246 people in 2012, most of them Islamist militants.

The militants' technique -- often more witch hunt than investigation -- follows a well-established pattern. Accused tribesmen are abducted from homes and workplaces at gunpoint and tortured. A sham religious court hears their case, usually declaring them guilty. Then they are forced to speak into a video camera.

The taped confessions, which are later distributed on CD, vary in style and content. But their endings are the same: execution by hanging, beheading or firing squad.

In Sidinkay's last moments, the camera shows him standing in a dusty field with three other prisoners, all blindfolded, illuminated by car headlights. A volley of shots rings out, and the three others are mowed down. But Sidinkay, apparently untouched, is left standing. For a tragic instant, the accused spy shuffles about, confused. Then fresh shots ring out and he, too, crumples to the ground.
Posted by:Anguper Hupomosing9418

#6  Lest we fergit, VARIOUS NET, MIL FORUMS > OBAMA [Re-] ELECTION VICTORY ANGERS PAKISTANI DRONE VICTIMS.

versus

* CHINA DAILY FORUM, TOPIX > THE COMING DRONE WAR IN THE UNITED STATES.

Mainstream Amerikans + US Gun-lovers, etal. to p*** o*** Big Brother = "Da Man" by shooting down Recce Drones???

["THE TERMINATOR" DA ARNUUULD = "WAR OF THE MACHINES" here].
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2012-12-30 20:34  

#5  Accused tribesmen are abducted from homes and workplaces at gunpoint and tortured.

Hey! They can't do that!
Posted by: tu3031   2012-12-30 12:24  

#4  Particularly if you leave no one around to disagree with you...
Posted by: Steve White   2012-12-30 12:21  

#3  If you repeat it often enough it becomes true.
Posted by: Fred   2012-12-30 11:31  

#2  A provably false trope by the left. Surprising your lips haven't fallen off..
Posted by: badanov   2012-12-30 11:24  

#1  A tried and tested method of winning, terrorise the local population. I'm surprised they aren't poisoning all the wells.
Posted by: Injun Stalin7884   2012-12-30 09:44  

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