The Times claims that Obama is under pressure (March 19, 2009) to extend drone attacks on militants into the city of Quetta, Pakistan. This would expand the area drone attacks beyond the Federally Administered Tribal Areas along the Pakistan/Afghanistan border. The Pakistani Prime Minister has asked the US to stop the drone attacks and instead provide the Pakistani army with intelligence that could be used to attack militants on the ground.
The Times article also claimed that the Times had identified a small airstrip at Shamsi, in Beluchistan, Pakistan which is used by the CIA to launch drone attacks in Pakistan.
This article in the Asia Times Online, gives a good analysis about the US actions in the tribal areas of Pakistan.
Tags: Afghanistan, drones, Pakistan, UAV, United States
