The CIA is operating drones over Yemen's mountainous south where Al-Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has had a virtual free hand since the civil war began in that country 2 months ago. As President Saleh has withdrawn troops who were fighting the terrorists to urban areas where they are used to quash the revolt, AQAP has been free to set up camps and training sites for their growing terrorist army. In response, the CIA, who was assisting the army in flying unarmed drones in the region, will now apparently us armed Predators to conduct operations against the terrorists. Washington Post: U.S. officials said the CIA would operate alongside, and in close coordination with, the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command, which has been flying Predators and other remotely piloted planes over Yemen for much of the past year. Because it operates under different legal authorities than the military, the CIA may have greater latitude to carry out strikes if the political climate shifts in Yemen...(Read Full Post)