Why Humam Khalil al-Balawi still Matters

Or, subtitle - "Is Leon Panetta the greatest Mass 'Murderer' in U.S. History?" Obviously, my question is hyperbole (hence the quotation marks w/n. a quotation). It is intended to spark thoughtful reflection on the lawfulness of America's tactics in winning the war against radical Islamic jihadists, and not intended to spark interest in this humble blogger by the Nation's eavesdroppers, watchers and Spy Agencies.

In researching this Blog topic, I confirmed that the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has the sole and exclusive authority within the federal government to authorize "a hit", termination w/. extreme prejudice, a targeted assassination even, of an identified enemy combatant by Agency drone missile attack. My research has not, of course, uncovered the total number of individuals put to death by the verbal order of Mr. Panetta, and even were it to be revealed to me, such classified national security information would never be published here. Let's just say that Director Panetta left Ted Bundy in his rear view mirror early on in his tenure as CIA Boss of Bosses. No wonder Mr. Panetta was given his wish to be transferred by President Obama to the more serene post of Secretary of Defense; some irony there.

By now, U may be asking - "So, why does Mr. al-Balawi still matter, and how does his mattering fit in with the nation's running of death squads from the sky?" (As an aside, any perceived to be pejorative language here should not be deemed opposition to targeted killings in wartime. Instead, it is intended as a Clarion Call for public debate on the lawful application of this absolute power to unilaterally impose and carry out a death sentence w/o. charges filed, w/o. a trial or other due process safeguards against the killing of innocent persons. ) (See previous Posts re Government's Power to Execute "Enemies of the State").

Now, its Dr. al-Balawi, he's not a mister. On December 30, 2009, this young, healthy Jordanian doctor of medicine, father of two bright daughters, and husband to a beautiful Turkish wife stepped out of the Agency car which had transported him to the very door steps of the CIA's Hq. for the Afghan/Pakistan border region and detonated the secreted bomb strapped to his chest, killing eight Agency operatives. In response (or not, depending on your sources), that same CIA Director who had just lost the most subordinates in a single day in Agency history, ramped up significantly the number of targeted drone attacks in Pakistan.

Objectivity clouded by a need to immediately avenge this wanton terrorist murder of Americans? I sincerely doubt it. Nonetheless, I would much prefer to have the war fighting authority placed exclusively in the DoD, and not in our Nation's intelligence gathering agencies. The Army, Navy and Marines have hundreds of years experience in killing the enemy, after the enemy has been identified by civilian authority. This is another example of the wisdom of separation of powers. Such a safeguard would preclude a single government employee in the CIA from being judge, jury and executioner by him or her self alone.

Now, that would be some real irony - were Congress to enact legislation empowering only the Secretary of Defense to authorize drone attacks, based upon targeting recommendations originating in other branches of the government. While Leon Panetta would definitely feel put upon, I would sleep better with a more bifurcated killing apparatus. Just saying ...