|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/15/world/15shadowwar.html
Secret U.S. Assault on Terrorism Widens
(New York Times) Scott Shane, Mark Mazzetti and Robert F. Worth - The U.S. military has launched at least four airstrikes on al-Qaeda in Yemen since December, according to American officials. In a shadow war against al-Qaeda and its allies in a dozen countries - from North Africa, to Pakistan, to former Soviet republics - the U.S. has significantly increased military and intelligence operations, pursuing the enemy using robotic drones and commando teams, paying contractors to spy and training local operatives to chase terrorists. In Pakistan, the CIA has broadened its drone campaign beyond selective strikes against Qaeda leaders and now regularly obliterates suspected enemy compounds and logistics convoys. "For the first time in our history, an entity has declared a covert war against us," said Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), referring to al-Qaeda, "and we are using similar elements of American power to respond to that covert war."