Last Straw

U.S. Drone Strikes Enrage Pakistan

Only two days after spy chief demanded CIA ops cease.

Pakistani officials issued a sharp criticism to the U.S. after the CIA launched two missiles at militants in tribal areas Wednesday. The drone attacks came only two days after Pakistan’s spy chief told the U.S. to drastically reduce its CIA operations in Pakistan in response to CIA agent Raymond Davis’ alleged killing of two civilians in the midst of a mugging. Pakistan’s foreign ministry issued a statement saying these attacks are “counterproductive and only contribute to strengthen the hands of the terrorists.” CIA Director Leon Panetta, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, and the chief of Pakistan’s lead spy agency, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha, said they had agreed on Monday that the CIA will give advance notice of drone strikes and will carry out far fewer. Despite the Pakistani response, American officials insisted Wednesday’s strikes are “consistent” with the agreement.