US Military Strike Kills One on Alleged Drug Boat in Pacific

Middle Eastern outlets frame the Pacific boat strikes as another example of Washington using overwhelming military force outside its territory with limited transparency. Commentators compare the operation to US drone campaigns elsewhere, arguing that Washington condemns others for civilian harm while accepting similar risks in its own actions. They expect rights groups and some governments to use this case to challenge US claims of moral high ground on the laws of war and human rights.

• •Middle Eastern coverage links the Pacific boat strikes to a wider pattern of US air operations that kill suspects without trial.
• •Commentators in this block argue that Washington would strongly criticize any rival power that used air strikes on small boats far from its own shores.
• •Reports from this region say the US has not provided clear evidence that those killed were armed or posed an immediate threat.
• •Writers in Middle Eastern outlets claim the strikes show Washington is willing to accept civilian risk when pursuing its security goals.
• •Some commentators predict that international rights groups will cite the boat strikes when accusing the US of applying human rights standards selectively.