Could this be revenge for the death of Nicola Calipari?

This isn't so surprising, nor does it bother me. Our CIA has for decades been doing a lot of things I'd prefer not to know, and in this case, if it results in lessened acts of terrorism against our own soil, fine.

But what if it results in more terrorists joining up than those 'eliminated'?

I understand that there are certain moral choices to be made for the protection of the Republic; some of those choices will not be simple ones.

I believe it takes a certain malignantly vicious pathology, a self centered lack of compassion, conscience, or ability to empathize with your innocent victims, to become a truley 'great' terrorist leader.

The same mental defect as is manifest in the worst criminals - "affected with an antisocial personality disorder that is usually characterized by aggressive, perverted, criminal, or amoral behavior..."

Criminals like that are INCREDIBLY arrogantly self centered - they lack the ability to even consider the individuality and humanity of anyone but themself; plus a total lack of ability to delay gratification. If they want something, then they act upon their immediate want (You or I might work hard for many years to complete our education or save for a home, retirement - etc; A criminal does not possess the ability to channel his desires that way - he will go out and rob a store or kill someone in order to gratify his immediate need for validation or pleasure.)

IMHO - Not everyone who 'joins up' with a terrorist organization or a criminal gang has the ruthless disregard for humanity to become a Pol Pot, Hurao Wako, Alexandros Giotopoulos, Abimael Guzman, or Robert Mathews.

Hopefully, If you can eliminate the most vicious of the leaders, the rest will fall apart in disorganization or apathy, or go back to their homes and try to resume a 'normal' life..

Rob