Fresh drone attacks in Pakistan reignite debate

A daily summary of global reports on security issues. A suspected US drone attack in the mountains of South Waziristan killed between 8 and 14 militant followers of Taliban leader Beitullah Mehsud before dawn on Wednesday, just hours before Pakistani airstrikes on a second camp nearby. Pakistani officials condemned the use of unmanned drones, saying the pilotless warplanes kill civilians and alienate local tribes needed in the war effort. It's an argument with which many US critics agree. However, analysts say Pakistan is in fact involved in the drone attacks, making its denials only in the face of public outcry. The controversy underscores the fragility of the US-aligned government in Islamabad as it struggles to defeat a Taliban insurgency while maintaining the trust of its people.