In Pakistan, US Moves From Ground to Air

(NEWSER) - An airstrike in Pakistan’s troubled South Waziristan region, likely orchestrated by the US, has killed about 30 people, the Los Angeles Times reports. The dead are thought to be al-Qaeda or Taliban militants; the attack destroyed the compound of an associate of the Taliban leader suspected in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. It's the deadliest such strike since President Obama took office. More»

(NEWSER) - Dianne Feinstein said today that Predator drones used to carry out attacks in Pakistan originate there, not in Afghanistan as had been widely assumed, the Los Angeles Times reports. The revelation, which is likely to cause trouble for the Pakistani government, came during testimony by spy chief Dennis Blair. A rep for Feinstein said the information came from a news report, not from the classified information the senator is privy to as chair of the Intelligence Committee. More»

(NEWSER) - US airstrikes on suspected terrorist camps in Pakistan yesterday signal that the Obama administration will continue the aggressive US strategy against extremists in the region, the Washington Post reports. In fact, early signs suggest a tougher approach—and less patience—with the Pakistani government. The attacks, carried out by Predator drones based across the border in Afghanistan, killed at least 20 people, with one "high-value" target thought to be among the dead. More»

Predators hammer al-Qaeda strongholds before Pakistan cracks down

(NEWSER) - The US is stepping up air strikes on suspected al-Qaeda strongholds in Pakistan, the Washington Post reports. The Predator bombings—which neither the US or Pakistan will officially confirm—aim to rattle terror leaders out of hiding before the country's new leaders are expected to demand the US scale back its operations. The "shake the tree" strategy has reportedly killed 45 foreign fighters. More»

...with the CIA's help

(AP) - A new significant blow for al-Qaeda: Pakistani agents working with the CIA have arrested Younis al-Mauritani, a senior leader believed to have been tasked by Osama bin Laden with targeting American economic interests across the globe, Pakistan announced today. The Pakistani military said the arrest of Mauritani and two other al-Qaeda operatives took place near the Afghan border in the southwestern city of Quetta, long known as a base for militants. A US officials said the arrests were carried out in the past two weeks. More»