Over the past several weeks there have been eight murders of polio workers in Northwest Pakistan. Until recently medical workers were off limits for militant groups. Then earlier this year the United States did something incredibly stupid. By using a fake vaccination mission to spy on bin Laden the United States made all aid workers legitimate targets.
This is not to say that militant groups are targeting them just because of the CIA mission, rather it gave them an excuse. Prior to now violence against medical aid workers was rare simply because it would bring condemnation even from supporters of the militants. Now it is easier for them to get away with it, since trust in the medical workers has evaporated.
Empire is not without cost. When the United States projects its power around the world there are trade offs at home and abroad. In order to verify the bin Laden was in that compound we needed this mission. Its cost is eight dead medical workers and hundreds of children who would have benefited from the vaccination program. Was it worth it?
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