More drone strike in Yemen urged by CIA

Washington Post:
The CIA is seeking authority to expand its covert drone campaign in Yemen by launching strikes against terrorism suspects even when it does not know the identities of those who could be killed, U.S. officials said. 
Securing permission to use these “signature strikes” would allow the agency to hit targets based solely on intelligence indicating patterns of suspicious behavior, such as imagery showing militants gathering at known al-Qaeda compounds or unloading explosives. 
The practice has been a core element of the CIA’s drone program in Pakistan for several years. CIA Director David H. Petraeus has requested permission to use the tactic against the al-Qaeda affiliate in Yemen, which has emerged as the most pressing terrorism threat to the United States, officials said. 
If approved, the change would probably accelerate a campaign of U.S. airstrikes in Yemen that is already on a record pace, with at least eight attacks in the past four months. 
For President Obama, an endorsement of signature strikes would mean a significant, and potentially risky, policy shift. The administration has placed tight limits on drone operations in Yemen to avoid being drawn into an often murky regional conflict and risk turning militants with local agendas into al-Qaeda recruits.
... 
I support more strikes against al Qaeda in Yemen.  It is where the bulk of their forces are right now and they have been massing those forces making it easier to destroy their operations.  It would be a missed opportunity if the strikes were not approved.  The political risk is minimal.  The antiwar left is still giving Obama a pass on the drone strikes and the Republicans are unlikely to oppose strikes against al Qaeda.  The "Use of Force" authorization after 9-11 is broad enough to cover the strikes.

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