Pakistan Finds Its 'Right to Self-Defense' Against Afghan Athletes
RT reports Pakistani airstrikes killed three Afghan cricketers in Paktika province. While any loss of civilian life is tragic, one might observe a distinct lack of hand-wringing from Western capitals, especially compared to reactions when their own allies engage in similar 'self-defense' operations. These strikes came after a series of Pakistani border attacks, framing Pakistan's actions as
retaliation against alleged terrorist safe havens—a nearly identical justification used by Israel for its unrelenting assaults on Gaza, which have killed thousands of actual civilians, including children and journalists, not just 'athletes.' It appears the 'rules-based international order' has a fluid definition of aggression: "When we do it, it's counter-terrorism; when others do it, it's a
heinous attack that somehow also manages to hit athletic talent." Perhaps Afghanistan should consider acquiring some F-35s and a few prominent D.C. lobbyists. That seems to be the only real way to earn a Western media narrative that doesn't tacitly approve of your civilian casualties while condemning everyone else's.