US strike on Pakistan killing 18 people.

[noxlumos]

Your thoughts please on the US strike against a village in Pakistan where at least 18 innocent people were killed including women and kids, in the CIA's efforts to kill off Al-Quaeda's no 2.

They were after Ayman al-Zaeahri, who was supposed to be at a dinner in one of the village houses.

Assuming they killed him, which seems unlikely from intial reports, is it accpetable that the CIA ordered this strike when it was blatantly obvious that civilians would be killed also?Does the end justify the means or since the US has taken on the role of World Police should they not set a shining example of looking after the people that they are supposedly protecting, by acting in a more responsible manner regarding the apprehension of their targets in a way that will lessen civilian casualties?

[Peter Pedant]

The recent July bombs in London have undoubtedly coloured Brits' views on this.

Most people as far as I know are shrugging their shoulders. (This is in contrast to the response two years ago when a tidal wave wiped out thousands of people and people collectively contributed vast sums for relief)

[Grunty]

No it is not acceptable, particularly having regard to the unreliability of US intelligence. The US, for reasons that need not be listed here, is not well-regarded by the rest of the world at present and they have no mandate to take unilateral action, any more than they have the right to impose their version of democracy on others. The US knows that the US Security Council is the proper forum, but knows that it would then have to consider the views of others.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

I was under the impression that the americans wanted to catch these guys alive,but no, the cia seem to be a law unto them selves and they couldent care less if innocent people get killed.they should be brought to task for this,its crazy.

[undercovers]

starting wars, holding power by force, the suggestion of electoral fraud, weapons of mass destruction... its pretty clear what we need to do - regime change in america by force! someone call the UN

[brachiopod]

It is another tragic error as a result of poor intelligence - the US were obviously under the impression it was another wedding party.

[Dom Tuk]

Pakistani lives, lives of women and children killed by a missile fired from a jet fighter, is expendable. The US have done it for a long time in Iraq. What do those fighter pilots think afterwards, how do they sleep, oh forgot, they have been well brainwashed and horlicks is always useful. Just think about what is happening as you go to bed tonight. There is a family in some remote part of pakistan who will be burying their loved ones. What a bloody waste. Think about it as you tuck your kids to bed.

[Drusilla]

Isn't Pakistan supposed to be an American ally?

[Zen]

With friends like the US who needs enemies ?

[Lonnie]

Apparently the rockets were fired from Drone aircraft on the Afghan side of the border. The U.S should be held to account by the international community. Any bets on this?.

[Ward-Minter]

Pakistan beheaded 421 people in 2005. Lord knows how many died by other means. 18 people seems like a drop in the ocean compared to their daily Human Rights atrocities.

[brachiopod]

What sort of argument or justification is that, W-M ?

[Ward-Minter]

It is neither an argument nor a justification. It means life is not valued in certain countries like it is in Ol' Blighty.

[Oneeyedvic]

So it is okay to invade a country and kill civilians so long as that country has the death penalty.

(and from someone who constantly posts that the death penalty should be reintroduced in this country, I find your view (as usual) to be amazing)

[qapmoc]

Dom Tuk, the fighter pilots probably train so often on video simulators which is just like a video game and you make as many ''kills'' as possible, that I suppose eventually real life flying and killing seems the same to them and makes no effect on them at all.

[TariqE]

Typical sledgehammer to crack a nut response from the US.