Response #11 : Obama Steps Up and Expands War on Taliban

This article proved that the OBama administration has already taken action in the middle East. Obama has intentions on attacking the Taliban and the Al-Quaeda. But will that lead to a genocide? is sending military troops in, really the right thing to do? I do not know the answers to those questions. We are just going to see what happens.

Article #11 : Obama Steps Up and Expands War on Taliban

- The Barack Obama administration is planning to send troops against the Taliban and al-Qaida in Pakistan.

- Taliban militants are using the area to launch attacks on U.S.-NATO forces in southern Afghanistan.

- Obama has continued the policy of former U.S. President George W. Bush of launching strikes by unmanned CIA-operated Predator drones against the Taliban and al-Qaida hideouts.

- "A new energy is evident in President Barak Obama's prosecution of the war" against the Taliban, a U.S. official said.

- "I think we'll see a much more intense effort," said Middle East expert Tony Cordesman. "The war will be expanded in a comprehensive way, but just what resources that will entail isn't clear yet."

- A total of nine U.S. airstrikes against the Islamic militants has already been launched by the new administration as opposed to a total of 30 attacks dating from last September when Pakistani President Asif Ali Zadardi assumed power.

- On March 12, a Predator fired missiles at a Taliban training camp and weapons depot in Kurram killing 24 militants, U.S. officials said.

- "You could definitely say [the attacks] represent an expansion of the air war on the Taliban," an administration official said.

- However, expansion of the war could provoke opposition from some Democrats who fear a deepening U.S. entanglement in Afghanistan, U.S. officials said.

- Currently a policy review is underway and should shortly be presented to the president, they said.

- On March 15, a Predator targeted for the second time a Taliban weapons depot in the town of Jani Khal in the Bannu district of the jihadist stronghold of the Northwest Frontier province.

- Two al-Qaida and two Taliban operatives were killed, according to Pakistani news reports confirmed by U.S. officials. The dead were not identified but were not "high value" targets, these sources said.

- In any case, the Taliban were quick to retort. On March 16, a force of 50-60 fighters savaged the al-Faisal terminal.