Another US Citizen Targeted for Drone Strike

The Obama administration is considering lethal force against an American citizen overseas who has allegedly been working with al Qaeda, U.S. officials have told the Associated Press.

In order for the U.S. to launch a drone strike, the Justice Department must first build a case against the man, the AP reports.

Two officials told the AP the man, who is not being identified, has been responsible for coordinating attacks against Americans overseas, and he continues to plan more.

Under President Obama’s stricter drone policy, the CIA wouldn’t be able to launch the attack because the man is a U.S. citizen. The Defense Department is the only U.S. agency that can sign off on such drone strikes.

  The Hill

I’m sorry. I missed that, but Obama has a new drone policy where the CIA can’t drone down American citizens. Isn’t that special? Do we care whether it’s the CIA or the US military?

The official said the president could make an exception to his policy and authorize the CIA to strike on a onetime basis or authorize the Pentagon to act despite the possible objections of the country in question.

  ABC

The CIA drones watching him cannot strike because he's a U.S. citizen and the Justice Department must build a case against him, a task it hasn't completed.

  Huffpo

Well, I’m sure they’ll be working overtime. And how is it that this government-approved leak is not aiding and abetting the enemy? That line is pretty fluid, isn’t it?

The Associated Press has agreed to the government's request to withhold the name of the country where the suspected terrorist is believed to be because officials said publishing it could interrupt ongoing counterterror operations.

Really? That’s a pretty thin cover for leaking something. Are we to imagine that the country that cannot be named is unaware of the situation?

The senior administration official confirmed that the Justice Department was working to build a case for the president to review and decide the man's fate.

It’s good to be king.

Four U.S. officials said the American suspected terrorist is in a country that refuses U.S. military action on its soil and that has proved unable to go after him.

Really, we don’t care if you don’t want us on your soil. You think that’s going to stop us?

The case has galvanized congressional opponents of Obama's plan to transfer drones from the CIA to the Defense Department. Before the plan was announced, either CIA or Pentagon drones could go after terrorist targets, even if they were U.S. citizens. The CIA could also fly drones in areas where host countries might object. But by law, the Pentagon can only strike in war zones, in countries that agree to U.S. counterterrorism action or in lawless areas like parts of Somalia where that government's security forces cannot reach. Even then only al-Qaida-linked suspects can be targeted.

And I’m sure we can just about link anyone if we take a few hops with the NSA.

It is so reassuring to know there are restrictions on who can kill whom and under what circumstances.

U.S. officials said both Senate and House appropriators have blocked funding to transfer the CIA's stealth RQ-170 drone fleet to the Pentagon. Some lawmakers want the White House to come up with a fix for targeting suspects in areas where the Pentagon is banned from operating — either by leaving some part of the CIA operation running or by granting the Pentagon authority to strike covertly despite the location — meaning they could legally deny the operation.

Lawmakers like Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., have also objected to the shift to the Pentagon, arguing that the CIA has more experience flying drones.

And more black cover. But then, at least somebody (“some lawmakers” – gotta love the anonymity) thinks we could just grant the Pentagon black cover, too.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

UPDATE:  Interview with Jeremy Scahill and Glenn Greenwald on the subject 
http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/10/report_obama_administration_considers_assassinating_another?autostart=true&get_clicky_key=suggested_next_story