This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21373996

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
CIA nominee John Brennan faces Senate hearing CIA nominee John Brennan faces Senate hearing
(35 minutes later)
The top White House counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan will face a grilling soon at a Senate confirmation hearing to become CIA director.The top White House counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan will face a grilling soon at a Senate confirmation hearing to become CIA director.
The session comes as lawmakers were to receive secret papers setting out the rationale for drone strikes on Americans working with al-Qaida abroad.The session comes as lawmakers were to receive secret papers setting out the rationale for drone strikes on Americans working with al-Qaida abroad.
Members of President Barack Obama's own Democratic party are concerned about Mr Brennan's role in US drone policy.Members of President Barack Obama's own Democratic party are concerned about Mr Brennan's role in US drone policy.
Mr Brennan was a top CIA official under President George W Bush. He was a top CIA official under President George W Bush.
Mr Brennan, 57, is also likely to face questions about his position on harsh interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding, that were used by the CIA while he was a senior official there.Mr Brennan, 57, is also likely to face questions about his position on harsh interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding, that were used by the CIA while he was a senior official there.
'Significant concerns''Significant concerns'
Correspondents say that despite these concerns there has been no suggestion that members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence object to Mr Brennan's nomination.Correspondents say that despite these concerns there has been no suggestion that members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence object to Mr Brennan's nomination.
He is expected to be confirmed by the panel and later by the full Senate.He is expected to be confirmed by the panel and later by the full Senate.
A vote to confirm former Republican Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel as secretary of defence has been delayed amid opposition from some member of his own party.A vote to confirm former Republican Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel as secretary of defence has been delayed amid opposition from some member of his own party.
Mr Brennan could face tough questions from Senator Ron Wyden, a Democratic member of the panel, who has vowed to press the nominee on drones.Mr Brennan could face tough questions from Senator Ron Wyden, a Democratic member of the panel, who has vowed to press the nominee on drones.
Sen Wyden told MSNBC: "To make very clear, I am going to push for more declassification of these key kinds of [drone] programmes, and I think we can do that consistent with national security."Sen Wyden told MSNBC: "To make very clear, I am going to push for more declassification of these key kinds of [drone] programmes, and I think we can do that consistent with national security."
On the eve of Thursday's hearing, the committee released Mr Brennan's answers to some preliminary questions.On the eve of Thursday's hearing, the committee released Mr Brennan's answers to some preliminary questions.
Mr Brennan said he "had significant concerns and personal objections" about extreme interrogation techniques used by the CIA, adding he was "aware of the program but did not play a role in its creation, execution, or oversight".Mr Brennan said he "had significant concerns and personal objections" about extreme interrogation techniques used by the CIA, adding he was "aware of the program but did not play a role in its creation, execution, or oversight".
On drones, Mr Brennan said no new legislation was necessary for the US to conduct operations against al-Qaeda anywhere in the world.On drones, Mr Brennan said no new legislation was necessary for the US to conduct operations against al-Qaeda anywhere in the world.
He said individuals were targeted for killing "on a case-by-case basis through a co-ordinated interagency process" involving intelligence, military, diplomatic and other agencies.He said individuals were targeted for killing "on a case-by-case basis through a co-ordinated interagency process" involving intelligence, military, diplomatic and other agencies.
He also acknowledged "instances when, regrettably and despite our best efforts, civilians have been killed".He also acknowledged "instances when, regrettably and despite our best efforts, civilians have been killed".
"It is exceedingly rare, and much rarer than many allege," he added."It is exceedingly rare, and much rarer than many allege," he added.
Drone programme 'logical'Drone programme 'logical'
Mr Brennan's hearing comes the day after the Department of Justice sent Congress documents laying out the legal rationale for targeting and killing US citizens who are suspected of working with terror groups. Mr Brennan's hearing comes a day after the Department of Justice sent Congress documents laying out the legal rationale for targeting and killing US citizens who are suspected of working with terror groups.
Senator Dianne Feinstein, who chairs the Senate committee, said: "It is critical for the committee's oversight function to fully understand the legal basis for all intelligence and counterterrorism operations."Senator Dianne Feinstein, who chairs the Senate committee, said: "It is critical for the committee's oversight function to fully understand the legal basis for all intelligence and counterterrorism operations."
The justice department acted after NBC News published a leaked internal memo explaining some of the legal arguments.The justice department acted after NBC News published a leaked internal memo explaining some of the legal arguments.
Mr Brennan is believed to have been deeply involved.Mr Brennan is believed to have been deeply involved.
The CIA has carried out drone strikes in Yemen, where three American citizens linked to al-Qaida have been killed: Anwar al-Awlaki, his 16-year-old-son and Samir Khan.The CIA has carried out drone strikes in Yemen, where three American citizens linked to al-Qaida have been killed: Anwar al-Awlaki, his 16-year-old-son and Samir Khan.
Recent opinion polls have suggested that the US public generally supports the drone programme, especially when compared with the possibility of ground assault.Recent opinion polls have suggested that the US public generally supports the drone programme, especially when compared with the possibility of ground assault.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who has opposed the appointment of Mr Hagel as defence secretary, said: "The drone programme to me is a logical use of how you deal with an enemy combatant."Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who has opposed the appointment of Mr Hagel as defence secretary, said: "The drone programme to me is a logical use of how you deal with an enemy combatant."
Mr Brennan was considered for the top post at the intelligence agency in 2008.Mr Brennan was considered for the top post at the intelligence agency in 2008.
But he withdrew his name from consideration amid protests over public statements he made on the CIA's use of "enhanced interrogation techniques" such as waterboarding, which are viewed by many as torture.But he withdrew his name from consideration amid protests over public statements he made on the CIA's use of "enhanced interrogation techniques" such as waterboarding, which are viewed by many as torture.