The Killing Machines. (cover story)

DRONE aircraft; UNITED States. Central Intelligence Agency; OBAMA, Barack, 1961-; MUNTER, Cameron; MILITARY technology; PANETTA, Leon E., 1938-; BRENNAN, John O., 1955-; MILITARY surveillance

The article discusses U.S. President Barack Obama's use of drone aircraft strikes and their strategic and moral implications. The author looks at the legality of drone warfare according to attorney John Yoo. Also discussed are surveillance technology, the role of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in drone warfare, counterterrorism adviser John Brennan, and arguments about the authority of drones between CIA director Leon Panetta and Cameron Munter, U.S. ambassador to Pakistan.