The Political Scene

What are the risks of the CIA covert drone program?

"During his first nine and a half months in office, he [Obama] has authorized as many CIA aerial attacks in Pakistan as George W. Bush did his final three years in office.  The study’s authors, Peter Bergen and Katherine Tiedemann, report that the Obama Administration has sanctioned at least forty-one CIA missile strikes in Pakistan since taking office  -- a rate of approximately one bombing a week. So far this year, various estimates suggest, the CIA attacks have killed between three hundred and twenty-six and five hundred and thirty-eight eight people. Critics say that many of the victims have been innocent bystanders, including children."  October 26, 2009 issue.