US Officials: The Obama Administration Has Reduced Drone Strikes in Pakistan

Pakistani officials asked for drone strikes to be curtailed as they work towards peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban

The Obama administration has sharply curtailed drone strikes in Pakistan after a request from the government there for restraint as it pursues peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban, according to U.S. officials.

"That's what they asked for, and we didn't tell them no," one U.S. official said. The administration indicated that it will still carry out strikes against senior al-Qaeda targets, if they become available, and move to thwart any direct, imminent threat to U.S. persons.