Report: CIA Seeks Authority to Expand Drone Program in Yemen

By National Journal Staff

Updated: April 19, 2012 | 6:41 a.m.
April 18, 2012 | 8:21 p.m.

A Predator B unmanned aircraft lands after a mission at the Naval Air Station, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Using the same technology responsible for lethal strikes elsewhere in the world, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is expanding its use of Predator B unmanned aircraft outfitted with powerful infrared cameras and sensitive radar to patrol U.S. borders. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

CIA Director David Petraeus is seeking the authority to expand his agency's covert drone program in Yemen in order to be able to “hit targets based solely on intelligence indicating patterns of suspicious behavior,” The Washington Post reports, citing American officials. The practice has been a part of the CIA's drone program in Pakistan for years.

If endorsed by President Obama, the new policy would probably accelerate the number of drone strikes in Yemen, which has “emerged as the most pressing terrorism threat to the United States,” according to The Post.

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