planet earth looks blue

Another US drone attack in the Pakistan border area killed 7 militants, including ‘foreign guests”, which is a term for foreign fighters.  This makes the seventh aerial bombing since Obama took office just two months ago.  Despite Obama’s campaign aura of being the antithesis of former President Bush, Obama’s role as commander-in-chief has evolved into the contrary.  The missile strikes in Pakistan and Afghanistan have been a consistent part of both regimes, with 30 over the past year.  Pakistan warns that the American bombs are only serving to create more support for the Taliban - which may be true, considering Taliban fighters are becoming a bigger and bigger problem in the area, re-taking more areas in Afghanistan and now parts of Pakistan.  As the drones fly over Waziristan or the border areas of Afghanistan, the Taliban fighters come to defend and support the land of their people.  At the same time, the stronger Taliban presence attracts more violence by the US military.  So what came first, the chicken or the egg?

It would be a terrible thing if the US presence was to blame for the expansion of the Taliban, but it is likely the reality.  Extremist groups and views thrive in times of war and invasion, while more moderate voices lose their validity.  There are many leaders, both religious and civil, in Pakistan and Afghanistan who do not want the Taliban to over take their country, who only want peace, and a strong, sustainable nation for their people, and they don’t ‘hate’ America.  But how long can they defend American practices and presence while drones are flying overhead?