January 7, 2013
The Right or Wrong Experience for the Job?
Debaters
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He Has Already Learned From Experience
Crucial in the rise of drone strikes, Brennan has questioned the C.I.A.’s new paramilitary role and called for a return to the agency's roots.
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Author of a Brutal and Failed Policy
The increased use of drone strikes has led to an increase in the number of Al Qaeda operatives overseas.
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Controversy Dims as Public Opinion Shifts
Americans are significantly more pro-torture now than during the Bush years, making John Brennan’s road to Langley much less contentious.
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Nomination Ignores War Crimes
By denying accountability for acts like torture of C.I.A. detainees, President Obama helps remove them from the realm of unspeakable taboo.
Introduction
Luke Sharrett for The New York Times President Obama nominated his homeland security adviser, John O. Brennan, to be the director of central intelligence on Monday.When John O. Brennan was first considered as director of central intelligence four years ago, he withdrew his name after questions were raised about his role, as chief of staff at the agency, in the creation of a program of harsh interrogation of terrorism suspects during the Bush administration.
On Monday, President Obama nominated him for the job. Should his connection to such aggressive techniques and other controversial measures, including the increased use of drone attacks, disqualify him? Or have his many years of service in the C.I.A. and as President Obama’s homeland security adviser proven he is the right person for the job?
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