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A parallel war

The Obama administration has intensified its range of covert operations including unmanned drone strikes, intelligence and special operations using commando units and security contractors in its ever -widening ambit of threats. Apparently, Northern Africa, Yemen, Pakistan and some former Soviet republics are now areas that have already witnessed or are expected to undergo special operations.

The report hints that US officials are in favour of the now intensified stealth war that was begun in the Bush administration.

According to the officials, this covert war has benefits that make it worthwhile. These entail saving on the cost of war, the trouble of occupation and preventing further radicalisation and recruitment by terror groups—a normal by-product of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The problem is if the architects of this war know where to draw the line. It also raises questions about sovereignty of those states where these operations take place. Could it be that there is a tacit arrangement where such operations are given approval but never publicised? Or are these conducted with impunity with no regard to state sovereignty.

The issue of private contractors itself is contentious to say th least. There are hundreds of such private security contractors that are being used by the US. These security firms are already under fire in Afghanistan where their activities have earned them a bad repute and much hatred. No wonder that President Hamid Karzai wants to show them the door.

With terror groups proliferating across the continents, a covert style counter-terrorism mandate may be the only answer. After all, wars like Iraq and Afghanistan cannot be replicated elsewhere. All said and done, one point being missed here is how the US can effectively strike at the roots of terrorism if it wants. What will help is if the US mediates a viable solution to the Palestine issue and withdraws support of Israel’s unjust policies. The question is if it’s willing to take 
that leap.