Airstrikes Against Baitullah Mehsud Don't Indicate a New Strategy

On February 20, the New York Times published an article claiming that U.S. airstrikes against Taliban supremo Baitullah Mehsud inside Pakistan's tribal areas were a "broadening of the American campaign inside Pakistan." Here is what the Times wrote:

The missile strikes on training camps run by Baitullah Mehsud represent a broadening of the American campaign inside Pakistan, which has been largely carried out by drone aircraft. Under President Bush, the United States frequently attacked militants from Al Qaeda and the Taliban involved in cross-border attacks into Afghanistan, but had stopped short of raids aimed at Mr. Mehsud and his followers, who have played less of a direct role in attacks on American troops.

This report was picked up by the Washington Times on March 3:

Unmanned aircraft have begun targeting Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, a shift in strategy by the Obama administration that may reflect efforts to pre-empt a Taliban spring offensive against U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

The U.S. military avoided hitting Mr. Mehsud's forces in 2007 and 2008, during the Bush administration, when the Taliban leader waged a campaign of suicide bombings inside Pakistan and humiliated the Pakistani army in his tribal stronghold near the Afghan border.

The problem is these articles are wrong. Since 2005, I've tracked the airstrikes inside Pakistan closely. There were three strikes against Baitullah's network prior to President Obama taking office.

A June 15, 2008 strike took place in Makeen, Baitullah's home town. An October 16, 2008 strike took place in the village of Sam in the Ladha region. And a January 2, 2009 strike also targeted Baitullah's forces in the Ladha region.

I contacted the New York Times on February 21 and the Washington Times on March 4 about these inaccuracies. Neither newspaper has responded.