US drone attacks are further radicalising Pakistan

President Obama might believe he is rooting out terrorists, but the drone attacks in Pakistan are also creating more radicals

The US airstrike last week, which killed the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) second in command Wali ur Rehman has again raised the contentious issue about the legality of US drone strikes in Pakistan. The United States, like many of its allies across the international community were quick to hail this operation a success. Yet underneath this bravado lays a very serious question and that is despite killing high profile figures such as Wali ur Rehman and Baitullah Mehsud in 2009, the methods used to target the Taliban may in actual fact be acting as a recruitment tool for extremist organisations in Pakistan who have an apathy towards the Taliban.

ˈair strike	an attack made by aircraft	Airstrikes on civilians became a matter of routine.
contentious /kənˈtenʃəs/	creating disagreement; likely to cause disagreement and disputes	Both views are highly contentious. Try to avoid any contentious wording. a contentious issue/topic/subject
bravado /brəˈvɑːdəʊ/	boldness or courage; a real or pretended display of courage	‘Don’t threaten me,’ she whispered with false bravado. He behaved aggressively out of bravado. an act of sheer bravado
high profile	public prominence	This issue has had a high profile in recent months. I advised her to keep a low profile for the next few days (= not to attract attention).
apathy /ˈæpəθi/	lack of enthusiasm or energy	There is widespread apathy among the electorate. public/political/student apathy Such attitudes can only lead to apathy. a general apathy towards politics

Guardian  2 June 2013

scale /skeɪl/

size; the size or extent of something, especially when compared with something else

They entertain on a large scale (= they hold expensive parties with a lot of guests).

Here was corruption on a grand scale.

On a global scale, 77% of energy is created from fossil fuels.

It was impossible to comprehend the full scale of the disaster.

It was not until morning that the sheer scale of the damage could be seen (= how great it was).

for fear of something/of doing something

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for fear (that)…

to avoid the danger of something happening

We spoke quietly for fear of waking the guards.

I had to run away for fear (that) he might one day kill me.

behaviour /bɪˈheɪvjə(r)/

way of behaving or acting

His behaviour towards her was becoming more and more aggressive.

enquire something of somebody

to ask somebody something

‘Will you be staying for lunch?’ she enquired of Charles.

by/in comparison (with somebody/something)

when compared with somebody/something

The second half of the game was dull by comparison with the first.

The tallest buildings in London are small in comparison with New York's skyscrapers.

stress

emphasize

He stressed the importance of a good education.

It must be stressed that this disease is very rare.

I cannot stress too much how important this is.

return to something

to go back to a previous state

Train services have returned to normal after the strike.

conduct yourself + adverb/preposition

to behave in a particular way

He conducted himself far better than expected.

exception

thing that has been or will be excepted

Nobody had much money at the time and I was no exception.

Most of the buildings in the town are modern, but the church is an exception.

With very few exceptions, private schools get the best exam results.