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Obama May Boost Drones Instead of Troops

Shifting focus to Pakistan may avoid increasing forces

By the Associated Press

Posted Sep 22, 2009 5:59 AM CDT

(AP) – The White House is looking at expanding counterterror operations in Pakistan as an alternative to a major military escalation in Afghanistan, two senior officials tell the AP. The military would rely on armed drones that could contain al-Qaeda in a smaller, if more remote, area and keep its leaders from retreating back into Afghanistan. The officials say the White House is leaving the door open for troop increases in Afghanistan, but Obama's top advisers, including Joe Biden, are reluctant to send many more troops—if any at all.

Avionic technicians and mechanics from General Atomics move the Predator B, an unmanned surveillance aircraft, out from under an air hangar at Fort Drum, NY, earlier this year.
Avionic technicians and mechanics from General Atomics move the Predator B, an unmanned surveillance aircraft, out from under an air hangar at Fort Drum, NY, earlier this year.   (AP/ HEATHER AINSWORTH)
Supporters of Pakistani a religious group 'Sunni Tehree ' hold a rally against Taliban and condemn the suspected US drone attacks in the tribal areas in Lahore, Pakistan, in June.
Supporters of Pakistani a religious group 'Sunni Tehree ' hold a rally against Taliban and condemn the suspected US drone attacks in the tribal areas in Lahore, Pakistan, in June.   (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
Blackbird
Sep 22, 2009 12:49 PM CDT
Bring the troops home from this unwinable war.
Timinator2K
Sep 22, 2009 12:46 PM CDT
Obama should use as many drones as possible since he already has such a surplus of them serving in his administration.
Unaffiliated
Sep 22, 2009 12:23 PM CDT
The drones are not totally autonomous. They are controlled by human pilots back in the US. And I wouldn't at all call Taliban militants who are willing to carry out suicide missions into crowded markets "innocent".

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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