Is McCain Against Taking Out Al-Libi? Posted by Ilan Goldenberg

McCain just accused Obama of threatening to bomb our ally Pakistan, and saying that this somehow shows his inexpreience.  Actually, what Obama suggested last spring was that if you have actionable intelligence, sometimes unilateral action and targeted strikes are necessary to take out terrorist targets.  This seems like an odd attack for McCain, especially since the front page of the Washington Post this morning tells me this:

In the predawn hours of Jan. 29, a CIA Predator aircraft flew in a slow arc above the Pakistani town of Mir Ali. The drone's operator, relying on information secretly passed to the CIA by local informants, clicked a computer mouse and sent the first of two Hellfire missiles hurtling toward a cluster of mud-brick buildings a few miles from the town center.

The missiles killed Abu Laith al-Libi, a senior al-Qaeda commander and a man who had repeatedly eluded the CIA's dragnet. It was the first successful strike against al-Qaeda's core leadership in two years, and it involved, U.S. officials say, an unusual degree of autonomy by the CIA inside Pakistan.

Having requested the Pakistani government's official permission for such strikes on previous occasions, only to be put off or turned down, this time the U.S. spy agency did not seek approval. The government of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was notified only as the operation was underway, according to the officials, who insisted on anonymity because of diplomatic sensitivities.

Officials say the incident was a model of how Washington often scores its rare victories these days in the fight against al-Qaeda inside Pakistan's national borders: It acts with assistance from well-paid sympathizers inside the country, but without getting the government's formal permission beforehand.

So is McCain against taking out a top Al Qaeda operative Al Qaeda's no. 3?  Is that what he defines as inexperienced?

Comments

[Steve Thompson]

Bombing is different from selective strikes that are becoming common in this war. Pakistan has allowed this type of action to take place. You spinboys are real liars! A dangerous aid to the enemy of this country. The truth is Obama is weak, has nothing to say and completly unqualified to be the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

No matter how you "spin obama" the truth is that he doesnt know what he is talking about and only makes the world that much more dangerous. We need the experiance and quality of John McCain. Obama is a product of easy living and no real committment, just another political opportunist who hasnt the qualities to run much less be President. The Audacity of Audacity of Audacity is the battle cry of the opportunist obama.

[gil]

"Bombing is different from selective strikes"

Dear Sir, when you use a selective strike you are bombing some one. Please follow your own advice and stop the spin yourself.

I don't know if Obama or McCain can stop al-Quaida, but I do know that so far the Republicans under Bush have done an incredibly poor job..... Just ask Mr. McCain himself.

So the question is. Why would any one vote to keep in power the very same people that compunded the problem of terrorism around the world ?

[nikolai]

Just don't take out those poppy fields!
(They're funding the CIA... ssshh!)

[krister]

Steve Thompson:

Do you recall Mr. McCain's "bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" comments? Very responsible of a would-be president. It would appear that he is more focused on diverting attention to attacking other nation-states and avoiding the al-Quaida threat as much as possible. However, this does dovetail with Bush's decision to remove focus from the real threat, while leaving it a viable one, just to pursue a personal vendetta in Iraq and leave the atmosphere of fear with the American public.

Additionally, Mr. Obama will be more qualified on foreign relations than any of the previous 5 presidents as he is or has been on subcommittees dealing with Foreign Relations, Veteran Affairs as well as Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Yeah, really inexperienced, huh?!

[Sumocat]

Steve, you are correct that bombing is not the same as selective strikes. However, if you were paying attention, you'd notice selective strikes is exactly what Obama was promoting: "If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won't act, we will." - Barack Obama, 8/1/07.

Pursuing high-value targets after receiving actionable intelligence is pretty darn selective, and he didn't even mention "bombing". Where's the spin in that direct quote?

[Robin Dicken]

I love it when people start splitting hairs. VERY funny. I heard McCain's little diatribe scolding Obama. How ironic that if McCain had said it everything would be justified and right. Please.

[viperson]

Having requested the Pakistani government's official permission for such strikes on previous occasions, only to be put off or turned down, this time the U.S. spy agency did not seek approval. purchase tramadol Very responsible of a would-be president. It would appear that he is more focused on diverting attention to attacking other nation-states and avoiding the al-Quaida threat as much as possible. buy cheap tramadol

[viperson]

Pakistan has allowed this type of action to take place. You spinboys are real liars! A dangerous aid to the enemy of this country. tramadol online If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won't act, we will. order tramadol Please.

[viperson]

Veteran Affairs as well as Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Yeah, really inexperienced, huh?! buy tramadol while leaving it a viable one, just to pursue a personal vendetta in Iraq and leave the atmosphere of fear with the American public.
Additionally, Mr. Obama will be more qualified on foreign relations than any of the previous 5 presidents as he is or has
buy tramadol online

[viperson]

owever, this does dovetail with Bush's decision to remove focus from the real threat, while leaving it a viable one cheap tramadol Do you recall Mr. McCain's "bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" comments buy discount tramadol Obama was promoting

[viperson]

tramadol cheap I don't know if Obama or McCain can stop al-Quaida, but I do know that so far the Republicans under Bush have done an incredibly poor job..... Just ask Mr. McCain himself. discount tramadol The missiles killed Abu Laith al-Libi, a senior al-Qaeda commander and a man who had repeatedly eluded the CIA's dragnet. It was the first successful strike against al-Qaeda's core leadership in two years, and it involved, U.S. officials say, an unusual degree of autonomy by the CIA inside Pakistan.

[Metin2 gold]

Welcome to our game world, my friend asks me to buy some Metin2 yang . I do not know how to use the Cheap metin2 yang ; my friend tells me how to use. I will thank for my friends bringing me in this world. I am not regret to buy Cheap metin2 gold . We all love game, if you want to play it, please Buy metin2 gold and join us. Please do not hesitate to have game.

[shaiya gold]

When you have shaiya gold, you will become strong. With shaiya money, you can upgrade and admire by others. You can use cheap shaiya gold to start the journey of the world. So, do not hesitate, let us move to buy shaiya gold

[buy FFXI Gil]

Welcome to our FFXI Gil center. We can provide all what you want if you want. Our FFXI gold are specialized, professional and reliable website for selling Final Fantasy XI gold and providing cheap Final Fantasy XI Gold.

[dd]

I hope i can get FFXI Gil in low price,
Yesterday i bought FFXI gold for my friend.

[aion online kina]

They know I need aion online kina, they give me. So I always can get some aion gold from my friends.

[Fake Marc Jacobs Handbags]

I hope i can get FFXI Gil in low price,

[fake Bvlgari Jewelry]

hope i can get FFXI Gil in low price,

[luxury watches]

I am so with you,rolex watch
luxury watch

[cheap coach handbags]

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!

[watches]

The sides are beautifully sculpted and the lugs extend from the bottom of the case in a way that compliments almost any strap, or the bracelet. The design is very fluid, and it sits perfectly on my wrist. Replica Kenneth Cole Watches is solid, smooth, and has a very vintage feel to it. The crown is a lovely size and features the Benarus three dolphin logo on its edge. The bezel is a Replica Jacques Lemans F1 120 click dive timer that fits the case perfectly with no play, wiggle or flex. Replica Immersion Watches of any case is in its details which is where the Moray excels. Its retro design seamlessly integrates with the solid end links of the bracelet. The dial is quite unique as well; Replica Jacques Lemans Watches is a very dark grey/black with a slightly tactile metallic tone -- not glossy or smooth. It's very hard to describe, and I have attempted to capture it in the photos. The markers and numbers on the dial are not inlaid but appear to be made of painted on C3 luminous paint. The lume is first rate; it charges quickly and lasted well into the night or through a movie. The hour and second hand have metallic edges while the minute hand has orange edges that cause it to stand out. This is my only issue with the Moray: I'm not a big fan of the continuity of the orange hand. It's not bad, but Replica Orient Watches really stands out. (The Ocean7 LM-2 has a similar orange minute hand, but it matches the orange accents on the reflector, second hand, and logo.)The dial is almost sterile, only indicating the brand, the automatic movement, and the water resistance. The date window is small and unobtrusive with white text on a black wheel located between the 4 and 5 markers. The dial design is very similar to that found on Panerai Replica Hamilton Watches, but the hands, date Replica Leonard Watches, and paint application has little in common with Panerai.

[k247br]

Known as replica chanel replica chanel
Los Angeles' "Ambassador of replica gucci replica gucci
Boogie Funk," D?m-Funk represents the citizens of the Funkmosphere. Headquartered in replica hermes replica hermes
the Leimert Park section of L.A., D?m (pronounced: dame) has been dedicated over the last few years to cultivating a musical renaissance replica louis vuitton replica louis vuitton
rooted in the early-'80s styles known discount handbags discount handbags
as Boogie, Modern designer handbags designer handbags
Soul and Electro-Funk.

[AirMax Shoes]

I have go through your own great blog which post on the internet, have quite a few close friends combined with me to examining the article content. No matter what we're, as well as what ever we would like, the key idea you've already been presented was satisfied by us. Thanks a lot for sharing so perfect view, and it make us possess feeling of relaxed and ease.

[Football jerseys]

I have read a number of posts of yours, but this is the one that I like the most. So expecting some more ideas from your side. Thanks !