This Yemeni Man Loves America, Hates al-Qaeda, and Says Drone Strikes Make Them Stronger

[Xyzse]

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/04/this-yemeni-man-loves-america-hates-al-qaeda-and-says-drone-strikes-make-them-stronger/275248/?google_editors_picks=true

Farea al-Muslimi, a 22-year-old, described the time a Hellfire missile hit his home village in testimony before a U.S. Senate committee.

Conor FriedersdorfApr 24 2013, 6:00 AM ET

A drone strike killed five people last week in the remote Yemeni village of Wessab. Locals are still scared. Many knew at least one of the men who was killed. But they didn't know that he was suspected of having ties to al-Qaeda. If they'd known, they would've helped to arrest him, or forced him to leave their village, or at least kept their distance lest they be killed or maimed. It terrifies them that they didn't even know he was a target. What if they'd been standing next to him?

What if their children had been standing next to him?

Americans wouldn't normally hear about how poor Yemeni villagers reacted to a drone strike. But Wessab is the home village of Farea al-Muslimi, a 22-year-old democracy activist who is among the most pro-American voices in Yemen. "I don't know if there is anyone on earth that feels more thankful to America than me," he said Tuesday in testimony before a Senate committee. "In my heart, I know I can only repay the opportunities, friendship, warmth, and exposure your country provided me by being their ambassadors to Yemenis for the rest of my life."

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I am a bit conflicted about this really. I feel like occupations, wars and such should not be so easy that it is done remotely. Without knowing the human cost, the value of a human life is cheapened.

Any how, I apologize if this has been posted prior, I just saw this and thought the guy had a point. I understand the need for drone strikes as it is a rapid response unit needed. Still, these voices should be listened to.

Oh, also if I posted this incorrectly, tell me so that I can edit as per regulations.

[Comrade Grumpy]

1. Gotta keep replenishing that reservoir of anti-American sentiment.

So we can generate more people who want to attack us, so we can attack them, so we can generate more people who want to attack us, so we can attack them, so...

Perpetual war is good business for somebody.

[Xyzse]

2. "Perpetual war is good business for somebody."

That is sadly the truth. I don't like it, but I can't refute it.