Academic

A CLIMATE OF FEAR: In North Waziristan, a section of Pakistan?s tribal territories that borders A?

By Glenn Reynolds

A CLIMATE OF FEAR:

In North Waziristan, a section of Pakistan’s tribal territories that borders Afghanistan, there is growing fear among the Islamic militants who have long used the area as a base area and refuge. So far this year, there has been at least one missile attack a week, leaving more al Qaeda or Taliban, usually leaders, dead. American UAVs, often operating in pairs, or packs of four, roam the skies almost constantly. Terrorist leaders are now terrorized, and have cut back on travel, and use of satellite phones. When terrorist leaders do travel, they use public transport, surrounded by women and children. The terrorists know that American ROE (Rules of Engagement) discourage “collateral damage” (civilian casualties), so the terrorists try to have women and children around at all times. But the locals know that the ROE doesn’t absolutely forbid civilian casualties, and either refuse to rent rooms in their compounds to al Qaeda or Taliban leaders, or flee if the terrorists insist on staying. . . . While the terrorist groups are concerned about the losses, especially among the leadership, what alarms them the most is how frequently the American UAVs are finding their key people. The real problem the terrorists have is that someone is ratting them out.

It’s good that they’re afraid.

Full post as published by Instapundit.com on April 08, 2010 (boomark / email).