The Washington Post is reporting the Bush administration is escalating unilateral military attacks against what it calls al-Qaeda targets in Pakistan amidst concerns Pakistan’s new government will try to limit future US operations. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has been a staunch US ally. But his powers will likely be reduced following his party’s overwhelming loss in parliamentary elections last month. Pakistan’s new leaders have suggested they’re open to negotiation with militant groups. US military aircraft have struck three targets over the past two months, killing around forty-five foreign fighters near the Afghan border. But concerns have grown over the risk of civilian casualties. The news comes as two top US envoys are drawing public outcry in Pakistan for a controversial visit. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher have been trying to convince Pakistani leaders to maintain Musharaff’s key support for the so-called war on terror. The trip is seen as a sign of US meddling before Pakistan’s new cabinet has even been named.