Are Pakistan And The U.S.’s Spy Agencies Starting To Get Along?

The CIA And ISI: Are Pakistan And The U.S.’s Spy Agencies Starting To Get Along? -- Time

Though the domestic environment in either country is hardly suitable for rapprochement, there are signs of a thaw between the U.S. and Pakistan, particularly in the dealings of their influential spy agencies

After months of relations languishing at an all-time low, Pakistan and the U.S. may now be opening up a fresh phase of engagement. Following U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent apology for the loss of 24 Pakistani soldiers at a border checkpoint last November, NATO supplies are rumbling through again. Washington has also released funds for Pakistani military operations it had previously withheld. And, perhaps most crucially, the two fractious allies’ top spies are talking again, with a view to enhancing their cooperation as the 2014 deadline for a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan looms.

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My Comment: When it comes to Pakistan .... nothing can be set in stone.

CIA Chief In Pakistan Is Pulled Out

CIA Chief In Pakistan Pulls Out After Clashes -- The Independent

The CIA station chief who oversaw the intelligence work before the raid that killed Osama bin Laden has been pulled out of Islamabad – the second time in seven months that the CIA's top spy in Pakistan has been replaced.

The station chief was evacuated for "medical reasons" a fortnight ago. But an official familiar with CIA-ISI relations told The Independent that the US's top clandestine officer was due to be replaced in September, after just 10 months on the job. The illness, the official added, merely "expedited" his recall. The station chief will not be returning to Pakistan.

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My Comment: His replacement is not going to smooth ruffled feathers. Bottom line ... American and Pakistani interests are now in conflict, and they are not going to be resolved by changing personel.

Pakistan's ISI Wants The CIA To Sign An Accord To Rule Out Future Attacks In Pak

ISI Asks CIA To Sign Formal Accord Ruling Out Future Attacks Inside Pak -- Indian Express

Pakistan’s premier spy agency, the Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has asked the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to sign a written contract ruling out future attacks inside Pakistani territory.

Relations between the United States and Pakistan have deteriorated significantly since the US’ unilateral military raid that killed Osama bin Laden in his Abbottabad hideout on May 2.

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My Comment: Will the CIA agree to such a contract .... and sign it .... hmmmm .... only if the White House says so. But with Pakistan in the dumps in the eyes of U.S. public opinion, and with a difficult U.S. re-election looming next year for President Obama, such an agreement will not happen (at least) formally.

An Analysis On The CIA's Long History With Pakistan's Intelligence Services

Should The CIA Turn Against Pakistan's Spies? -- The New Republic

The recent chief-of-station (COS) cover-shredding brouhaha between the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Directorate marks an ironic and possibly important shift in the historic affection that Langley has had for Pakistan’s premiere intelligence service. It’s uncommon for a COS to be yanked home from a country where the CIA has enjoyed a pretty intimate relationship with the host service; it’s certain that the Agency did not do so just because the true name of an operative surfaced in the press due to a drone-provoked wrongful death lawsuit.

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My Comment: Being the head of the CIA desk in Pakistan must be one of the most difficult jobs in the world. To find someone who understands the culture, history, and be able to maneuver among the different factions and groups in Pakistan's government/military/intelligence services .... and still be able to conduct a covert war against Al Qaeda and the Taliban .... wow .... good luck to him.

Pakistan Denies It Exposed CIA Chief

CIA Identity Breach Feeds Mistrust With Pakistani Agency -- L.A. Times

Suspicion that the ISI had a hand in naming the CIA station chief is likely to hurt ties as Washington is urging greater anti-terrorism efforts by Islamabad.

Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan — A breach that sent the CIA's top spy in Pakistan out of the country with his cover blown is likely to cause friction between U.S. and Pakistani intelligence agents, who have worked closely, if not always with mutual trust, in the battle against insurgents along the volatile border with Afghanistan.

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More News On the Outing Of The CIA's Top official In Pakistan

CIA Station Chief, His Cover Blown, Departs Pakistan -- Wall Street Journal
Cover Blown: CIA Station Chief in Pakistan Removed From Country -- ABC News
CIA's Pakistan chief removed -- Washington Post
Pakistan spy agency denies it exposed CIA chief -- AP
Pakistan Says It Didn’t Tell Spy’s Identity -- New York Times
Pakistan Denies Outing US Spy -- Voice of America

My Comment: Well .... it is clear that someone in the Pakistani government leaked this name. The fact that there is no follow-up or investigation is a clear indication (to me) that it was sanctioned from above ot from someone in a very powerful and influential position.

Top CIA Official In Pakistan Flees After His Identity Is Disclosed

CIA Station Chief Pulled From Pakistan After Death Threats -- The Telegraph

The CIA has pulled its station chief out of Pakistan owing to threats made against his life after a lawsuit accused him by name of killing civilians in missile strikes.

In an unusual move that complicates the US fight against al-Qaeda, officials said that blowing his cover had led to "serious concerns for his safety" and made his position untenable.

His name has been published by local media covering the legal case, which was brought by a Pakistani lawyer. Demonstrators in the heart of the capital, Islamabad, have carried placards bearing the officer's name and urging him to leave the country.

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More News On The CIA's Top Officer In Pakistan Fleeing The Country After His Identity Was Revealed

Top U.S. Spy Leaves Pakistan After His Name Is Revealed -- New York Times
Top CIA spy in Pakistan pulled from post after public accusation in drone strike -- Washington Post
CIA chief in Pakistan leaves after drone trial blows his cover -- The Guardian
CIA pulls top spy from Pakistan amid threats -- MSNBC
Top U.S. spy pulled from Pakistan after terror threats -- CNN
CIA withdraws spy from Pakistan after threats:official -- AlterNet
ISI blows cover of CIA man in Islamabad -- Times of India
Islamabad Police files case against alleged CIA official -- Daily India

My Comment: When I read stories like this one and this one, I cannot help but feel that it is the Pakistani authorities themselves who intentionally outed this CIA officer. Hmmmmm .... and these guys are our allies?

Can A Pakistani Tribesman Sue The CIA For The Wrongful Deaths Of His Relatives From A Drone Strike?

Kareem Khan, a Pakistani tribesman from North Waziristan, talks to the ‎press in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Monday.‎ Photo from Press TV

Pakistani Man Threatens To Sue CIA If Not Compensated For Relatives' Deaths -- Washington Post

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - A Pakistani man who said two of his relatives were killed in a U.S. drone strike said Monday that he planned to sue the CIA in Pakistani courts for "wrongful death" if he is not compensated within two weeks, a move that could renew debate over the legality of the covert program.

Kareem Khan, a journalist from the semi-autonomous Pakistani tribal area of North Waziristan, said he was seeking $500 million in damages from U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, CIA director Leon Panetta and the CIA station chief in this capital city. Khan said the strike killed his brother, his son and another man. He said that they were not connected to Taliban and al-Qaeda militants who are based in the region and are the targets of regular CIA drone strikes.

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More News On A Pakistani Tribesman Threatening To Sue The CIA Over Drone Deaths

Pakistan tribesman 'to sue CIA' over drone deaths -- AFP
Threat to sue CIA over deaths -- Scotsman
Pakistani drone victim demands damages from CIA -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Drone victim in Pakistan demands compensation from US -- Sify News

My Comment: He wants $500 million US for compensation .... yeah right.

But if he wants publicity and a debate on Pakistan's support of America's covert war against Al Qaeda and Taliban militants in Pakistan .... which is probably what is really on his agenda .... he now has it.

On a side note, the debate on the effectiveness on drone strikes in Pakistan is being raised again.

Is The CIA About To Expand Its Covert War In Pakistan?

Rob Jensen/USAF via Getty Images

U.S. Seeks Wider CIA Role -- Wall Street Journal

Efforts to Intensify Targeting of Taliban on Pakistani Soil Have Been Rebuffed by Islamabad.

WASHINGTON—The U.S. is pushing to expand a secret CIA effort to help Pakistan target militants in their havens near the Afghan border, according to senior officials, as the White House seeks new ways to prod Islamabad into more aggressive action against groups allied with al Qaeda,

The push comes as relations between Washington and Islamabad have soured over U.S. impatience with the slow pace of Pakistani strikes against militants who routinely attack U.S.-led troops in Afghanistan. President Barack Obama has said he will begin to withdraw troops from Afghanistan in July, increasing the urgency to show progress in the nine-year war against the Taliban.

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More News On The CIA Wanting To Expand Into Pakistan

WSJ: US Seeks Wider CIA Role in Pakistan -- Voice of America
US seeks to boost CIA presence in Pakistan: report -- AFP
U.S. Pushing To Expand CIA Operations In Pakistan -- Huffington Post
US seeks wider CIA role to fight militants in Pakistan -- Hindustan Times
Invade Pakistan? -- Time Magazine

A CIA Success Story?

Stepped-Up U.S. Operations In Pakistan Taking Serious Toll On Al Qaeda, CIA Chief Says -- L.A. Times

The Pakistani intelligence service 'has been very cooperative,' CIA Director Leon E. Panetta says. One group reports that missile strikes using drones have gone up this year from last.

Reporting from Washington —
The stepped-up pace of CIA operations in Pakistan "is taking a serious toll" on Al Qaeda's operational abilities, CIA Director Leon E. Panetta said Tuesday.

Panetta did not specifically mention missile strikes by unmanned drones in Pakistan because the U.S. government does not officially acknowledge the program. But it is well known that drones are the main tool the CIA uses to target militants in the country.

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My Comment: I am sure that CIA operations in Pakistan are taking a serious toll on Al Qaeda/Taliban forces, but the real question is .... are these attacks having a strategic impact on Al Qaeda/Taliban operations, or is this just a temporary inconvenience for Al Qaeda/Taliban until a replacement is found.

Judging by how intense and all consuming the war has become in Afghanistan .... I would have to say that CIA operations have been "less than expected".

America's 'Secret War' In Pakistan Escalates

CIA Escalates In Pakistan -- Wall Street Journal

Pentagon Diverts Drones From Afghanistan to Bolster U.S. Campaign Next Door

WASHINGTON—The U.S. military is secretly diverting aerial drones and weaponry from the Afghan battlefront to significantly expand the CIA's campaign against militants in their Pakistani havens.

The shift in strategic focus reflects the U.S. view that, with Pakistan's military unable or unwilling to do the job, more U.S. force against terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan is now needed to turn around the struggling Afghan war effort across the border.

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More News On The CIA War In Afghanistan

CIA pledges to 'respect' Pakistan sovereignty: Islamabad -- AFP
C.I.A. Steps Up Drone Attacks on Taliban in Pakistan -- New York Times
CIA Reportedly Asks To Increase Drone Attacks In Pakistan -- Mystateline.com
CIA informs Pak of Osama plot to attack Europe in Nov -- Economic Times
CIA acts on fear of al-Qaeda plot to hit in Europe -- Washington Post
CIA Army’s kill teams murdering Pakistanis -- Daily Mail Post
US ghost army enters Pakistan -- Sun2Surf
Outrage Intensifies in Pakistan Over NATO Strikes as Militants Attack Fuel Trucks -- FOX News
Poll: US strikes unpopular in Pakistan tribal belt -- AP

My Comment: Where is the debate in Congress? Where is the debate in the media? Where are the mass demonstrations against the war (both here and abroad)? Why are all of our political leaders, academics, religious leaders (including Muslims), NGOs, public figures .... and everyone else .... quiet?

What is my take .... it seems that many of us now realize that this war against radical Islam is going to be with us for a very long time .... and in a strange we have now accepted this conflict as a normal part of our lives. It impacts us .... but not directly (unless you have a family member in the military).

Hence .... the CIA's not so secret war in Pakistan escalates .... and we all accept it without discussing and/or debating on what the consequences will be for us if this continues.

The CIA And Pakistan's ISI Are Now Producing Results

C.I.A. And Pakistan Work Together, But Do So Warily -- New York Times

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Inside a secret detention center in an industrial pocket of the Pakistani capital called I/9, teams of Pakistani and American spies have kept a watchful eye on a senior Taliban leader captured last month. With the other eye, they watch each other.

The C.I.A. and its Pakistani counterpart, the Directorate of Inter-Services Intelligence, have a long and often tormented relationship. And even now, they are moving warily toward conflicting goals, with each maneuvering to protect its influence after the shooting stops in Afghanistan.

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My Comment: This relationship was going to be difficult even in the best of times .... but with the recent arrests of Taliban leaders there is now hope that both agencies will continue to cooperate and work together in bringing down these terrorist networks.

Blackwater's Secret War in Pakistan

From The Nation:

At a covert forward operating base run by the US Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, members of an elite division of Blackwater are at the center of a secret program in which they plan targeted assassinations of suspected Taliban and Al Qaeda operatives, "snatch and grabs" of high-value targets and other sensitive action inside and outside Pakistan, an investigation by The Nation has found. The Blackwater operatives also assist in gathering intelligence and help direct a secret US military drone bombing campaign that runs parallel to the well-documented CIA predator strikes, according to a well-placed source within the US military intelligence apparatus.

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My Comment: There is a lot of "cannot confirm nor deny" quotes in this article. Is there anything new in this report .... not really. The CIA and other contractors have been involved in Pakistan for years, and are responsible for tracking and hunting down key Al Qaeda leaders .... this is nothing new.

But the Nation's article has been extensively researched, and there is a lot of meat in this post. Read it all ....

CIA Chief In Pakistan Amid Missile Strike Furor

Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani shaks hands with US CIA chief Leon Panetta (L). Photo AFP

From Yahoo News/AP:

ISLAMABAD – The new director of the CIA held high-level talks in Pakistan on Saturday after a provincial leader warned against expanding U.S. missile strikes on al-Qaida and Taliban targets inside the country's thinly policed border with Afghanistan.

Leon Panetta arrived in Pakistan on his first overseas trip since taking office as the Obama administration seeks a strategy to turn around the faltering war against Taliban militants in neighboring Afghanistan.

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More News On CIA Director Panetta's Visit To Pakistan

President urges CIA Director to end UAVs attacks immediately -- Online International
CIA Chief Meets Pakistani Leaders -- Voice Of America
Need to resolve Kashmir to focus on terror: Gilani to Panetta -- Press Trust Of India
CIA chief visits Pakistan for talks: official -- AFP
CIA chief arrives in Pakistan -- CNN

Google Earth Reveals Secret History Of US Base In Pakistan

The Shamsi airbase in 2006 with three drones apparently visible

From Times Online:

The US was secretly flying unmanned drones from the Shamsi airbase in Pakistan's southwestern province of Baluchistan as early as 2006, according to an image of the base from Google Earth.

The image — that is no longer on the site but which was obtained by The News, Pakistan's English language daily newspaper — shows what appear to be three Predator drones outside a hangar at the end of the runway. The Times also obtained a copy of the image, whose co-ordinates confirm that it is the Shamsi airfield, also known as Bandari, about 200 miles southwest of the Pakistani city of Quetta.

An investigation by The Times yesterday revealed that the CIA was secretly using Shamsi to launch the Predator drones that observe and attack al-Qaeda and Taleban militants around Pakistan's border with Afghanistan.

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My Comment: I can hear the "Oooopppssss" from CIA headquarters at Langley.

BREAKING NEWS: The CIA Operates (In Secret) Their Predator Fleet From A Pakistan Base

Predator Drones Flown From Base In Pakistan, U.S. Lawmaker Says -- Chicago Tribune

Sen. Feinstein's surprise disclosure likely to complicate joint campaign against Taliban militants.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A senior U.S. lawmaker said Thursday that unmanned CIA Predator aircraft operating in Pakistan are flown from an airbase inside that country, a revelation likely to embarrass the Pakistani government and complicate its counterterrorism collaboration with the United States.

The disclosure by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, marked the first time a U.S. official had publicly commented on where the Predator aircraft patrolling Pakistan take off and land.

At a hearing, Feinstein expressed surprise at Pakistani opposition to the ongoing campaign of Predator-launched CIA missile strikes against Al Qaeda targets along Pakistan's northwest border.

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My Comment: What is Sen. Dianne Feinstein thinking? Why disclose such information? This puts numerous Americans, Afghans, Pakistanis, and Nato allies at risk. This even threatens the stability of the Pakistan Government itself.

If the story is true, the Pakistani Government would obviously have wanted guarantees of secrecy and confidentiality. Sen. Feinstein has compromised these agreements. There are going to be consequences.

Update: Upon reflection, I believe the story is true. Over the past year I have read numerous comments made by American Generals .... collaborated by other news sources .... that Predator strikes in Pakistan are coordinated through the CIA and not the U.S. military. But in Afghanistan, the Predator strikes are coordinated through the military.

While the air bases in Afghanistan are big, an ops involving the CIA and their Reaper UAV fleet would be noticeable. They would never be able to operate freely in such an environment.

They would have to operate somewhere else. A Pakistani Airbase would be perfect for them.