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FBI says budget cuts threaten counterterrorism ops

March 19, 2013 20:31
FBI director Robert Mueller warned Tuesday that the sharp budget cuts affecting all US agencies, including the federal police force, threaten crucial counter-terrorist operations. The FBI boss, speaking before a House of Representatives committee, said that the $550 million in cuts over the next seven months until the end of the fiscal year will mean, among other things, leaving 2,200 vacant positions unfilled. "The personnel are our resources, they are the FBI," he told lawmakers.

As drone monopoly frays, Obama seeks global rules

March 17, 2013 02:45
By Tabassum Zakaria WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama, who vastly expanded U.S. drone strikes against terrorism suspects overseas under the cloak of secrecy, is now openly seeking to influence global guidelines for their use as China and other countries pursue their own drone programs. The United States was the first to use unmanned aircraft fitted with missiles to kill militant suspects in the years after the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington.

CIA may target Syrian extremists with drones: report

March 16, 2013 00:15
The US Central Intelligence Agency is collecting information on Islamic radicals in Syria for possible lethal drone strikes against them at a later stage, The Los Angeles Times reported late Friday. Citing unnamed current and former US officials, the newspaper said President Barack Obama had not authorized any drone missile strikes in Syria yet, and none were under consideration.

US court rebukes CIA over secrecy on drone war

March 15, 2013 14:45
A federal court ruled Friday the CIA can no longer refuse to confirm or deny whether it has records related to drone strikes, in a blow to the government's secrecy over the bombing campaign. The Court of Appeals for Washington DC said the government's stance was no longer credible as President Barack Obama and a senior adviser had publicly acknowledged the drone attacks on Al-Qaeda suspects abroad.

UPDATE 2-U.S. Senate confirms John Brennan as new CIA director

March 7, 2013 20:15
(Recasts, adds detail on lawmakers) By Mark Hosenball and Rachelle Younglai WASHINGTON, March 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed John Brennan as the Obama administration's next Central Intelligence Agency director, overcoming concerns expressed by Republicans and some Democrats about the administration's use of lethal drone strikes. After the administration clarified its drone policy, Republican Senators allowed the Senate to vote on Brennan's confirmation, which he won by a vote of 63-34.

URGENT ¥¥¥ John Brennan confirmed as CIA director

March 7, 2013 17:17
The US Senate on Thursday confirmed counterterrorism expert John Brennan to be the next CIA director, filling a third crucial position on President Barack Obama's national security team. The Senate voted 63-34 with several Republicans flocking to approve Brennan following a dramatic 13-hour filibuster the night before by Republican Rand Paul over concern about the possible use of drones to conduct targeted killings on US soil. mlm/oh

Brennan clears Senate hurdle, CIA confirmation likely

March 7, 2013 17:17
The US Senate voted Thursday to proceed with the nomination of John Brennan to be President Barack Obama's next director of the CIA, setting up his almost certain confirmation. The Senate voted 81-16, with Republicans flocking to approve Brennan after a dramatic 13-hour filibuster the night before by Republican Rand Paul over the Obama administration's refusal to unequivocally rule out drone strikes to conduct targeted killings on US soil.

U.S. Senate approves Brennan as new CIA director

March 7, 2013 17:00
WASHINGTON, March 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed John Brennan as the Obama administration's next director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The Senate voted 63-34 in favor of Brennan, overcoming Republican Senator Rand Paul's attempt to slow the White House counter-terrorism advisor from becoming the next head of the CIA.

U.S. Senate to vote on Brennan confirmation to head CIA

March 7, 2013 16:45
WASHINGTON, March 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Thursday cleared the way for a vote to confirm John Brennan to serve as President Barack Obama's director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The Senate voted 81-16 to end debate on the nomination of Brennan and immediately began voting on his confirmation. Republican Senator Rand Paul spent nearly 13 hours speaking on the Senate floor on Wednesday in an attempt to block Brennan's confirmation. (Reporting By Rachelle Younglai; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Senate panel greenlights CIA nominee Brennan

March 5, 2013 23:16
The US Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday endorsed John Brennan to be the next CIA director, after the White House turned over secret memos on the targeted killing of Americans. Senators voted by 12 votes to three to approve Brennan, putting him on track to be President Barack Obama's third confirmed national security nominee, after Secretary of State John Kerry and Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel. A full Senate vote on Brennan's confirmation is expected this week.
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