(Washington Post) CIA to operate drones over Yemen

The CIA is expected to begin operating armed drone aircraft over Yemen, expanding the hunt for al-Qaeda operatives in a country where counter-terrorism efforts have been disrupted by political chaos, U.S. officials said.

The plan to move CIA-operated Predator and other unmanned aircraft into the region reflects a decision by President Obama that the al-Qaeda threat in Yemen has grown so serious that patrols by U.S. military drones are not enough.

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Posted in * Culture-Watch, * Economics, Politics, * International News & Commentary, America/U.S.A., Asia, Defense, National Security, Military, Foreign Relations, Science & Technology, Terrorism, Yemen

9 comments on “(Washington Post) CIA to operate drones over Yemen

  1. Capt. Father Warren says:

    So, if you read between the lines of this story, sounds like we have had a full-fledged war going on for over a year here. I wonder what other wars are “waiting in the wings”? What is the mission, what is the objective in this particular war? Surely not something as loathsome as “victory”.

  2. BlueOntario says:

    We has asymmetric warfare going on in the 80s, too. Weinberg came up with his principles at that time which Powell adopted and developed.

  3. BlueOntario says:

    whoops, Weinberger

  4. Sick & Tired of Nuance says:

    Good to know you were onboard with the Reagan policies. I’m personally kind of surprised that the democrats in congress aren’t up in arms (pardon the pun) about these dirty little secret wars. I guess they only flip out if republicans engage in them. Sheesh, I remember Admiral Poindexter and Col. North having to testify before congress about it and Col. North taking the fall. Where are all the congressional hearings? The administration has clearly violated the War Powers Act in Libya…now Yemen? Just when were the American people supposed to learn that Obama has gotten us into yet another war? King Obama seems to do just as he pleases, without regard to the congress or the people. Where are all the pithy protest signs about how “Obama lied, kids died”?

  5. Cennydd13 says:

    I predict that heads will roll in 2012.

  6. Bookworm(God keep Snarkster) says:

    Is this in the paper as a “see how effective Obama is”? The POST and any other rags shouldn’t be reporting on CIA operations, except possibly after the fact. Thank you very much for giving all the terrorists a heads-up and making our OPS less effective.

    Yemen as a watch-point since the USS Cole bombing? Boy, there’s a shocker…

  7. Br. Michael says:

    [blockquote]But senior administration officials briefing reporters argued that Obama was not in violation of the War Powers Resolution because U.S. forces, which initially spearheaded the assault on Gaddafi’s air defenses in March, had pulled back to a support role in the NATO-led air campaign in early April.

    “We’re not engaged in any of the activities that typically over the years in war powers analysis is considered to constitute hostilities,” one official said. “We’re not engaged in sustained fighting.”[/blockquote]
    http://beta.news.yahoo.com/obama-legal-power-libya-campaign-white-house-204533787.html

    I see. We are just blowing thing up and killing people and aiding those who do in a kinder and gentler manner against a sovereign country which did not attack us first. All of which do constitute hostilities and are acts of war.

    The hypocrisy and disingenuousness of this President never ceases to amaze.

  8. Capt. Father Warren says:

    Playing the role of “world policeman” is a slippery slope. Where do you draw the line?

  9. Sick & Tired of Nuance says:

    #7
    Everyone should know that the quote you cite is a bald faced lie (and I thank you for providing it for us). I am not saying that you are lying, but rather the quote is a lie.

    On April 22, 2011 the US began using Predator drones armed with Hellfire missiles to augment airstrikes by warplanes from other North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations.

    [blockquote]Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who announced the decision at a Pentagon news conference, said Predators armed with Hellfire missiles would be used to augment airstrikes by warplanes from other North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations against the intensifying attacks by forces loyal to Kadafi.

    The decision marks a [b]resumption of a direct combat role for U.S.[/b] aircraft in Libya and represents a shift for the White House.
    (Emphasis added)

    Source: April 22, 2011|By David S. Cloud, Los Angeles Times
    http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/22/world/la-fg-gates-libya-20110422%5B/blockquote%5D

    They cannot keep their lies straight!!! The U.S. IS in direct combat with ground forces in Libya and that IS a violation of the War Powers Act and this president IS a criminal and IS violating both international law and the U.S. Constitution…that he swore a sacred oath to defend and protect…and that IS a high crime worthy of IMPEACHMENT!!!