“Public Supports Targeting Al Qaeda Leaders, Wants Congress in the Loop”

Aug 17th, 2009 • Posted in: Research Report

Bush-era assassination initiative was revealed recently and ended by CIA’s new director

From the Pew Research Center:

“Americans generally support allowing the Central Intelligence Agency to assassinate al Qaeda leaders, but opinions are more mixed about whether the CIA should have such a program without first informing Congress.

“The most recent national survey … finds that 60% favor ‘the CIA having a program that targets al Qaeda leaders for assassination,’ while 29% are opposed. But when a separate group of respondents was asked whether they favor the program without first informing Congress, opinion is more evenly divided (48% favor, 42% oppose).

“CIA Director Leon Panetta halted such a program in June, though it had never become operational. The Bush administration reportedly started the initiative shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks but had kept it secret from Congress.

“Majorities of Republicans (77%), independents (57%) and Democrats (53%) favor the CIA having a program to assassinate al Qaeda leaders. Support falls across party lines when the language on failing to inform Congress is added….”

For the full release from the Pew Research Center, Aug. 7, click here.

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One Response »

1. Ethics Newsline® » Statline » Poll Examines Support for Assassinations by the CIA on August 17th, 2009 at 6:37 pm:

   [...] more information, see this week’s Research Report.  Print This Story  Email This [...]

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