Category Archives: Brennan

The Dronification of State Violence, Part V: A Well-Oiled Killing Machine, and the Rule by Nobody

Posted on April 27, 2014 by understandingempire

Previous section: The Dronification of State Violence, Part IV: The Predator A Well-Oiled Killing Machine, and the Rule by Nobody The creation of the drone target is an intensely bureaucratic process. Understanding the various processes behind what Gregory McNeal calls a … Continue reading →

Posted in Biopolitics, Brennan, Hannah Arendt, History of Drones | Leave a comment

The Dronification of State Violence, Part 1: Life and Death in the West Wing

Posted on April 17, 2014 by understandingempire

This post is part of a series of sections from a broader paper, which can be found online here. Full citation: Ian Shaw and Majed Akhter (2014) The Dronification of State Violence, Critical Asian Studies, 46(2): 211-234. Introduction: Life and … Continue reading →

Posted in Biopolitics, Brennan, CIA, Empire, Geopolitics and International Relations, Hannah Arendt, Law and Lawfare, Obama, White House Politics | Leave a comment

CIA to remain central force in U.S. counter-terrorism for “many years to come”

Posted on April 16, 2014 by understandingempire

Mark Mazzetti of the NYT reports on the enduring, central role of the CIA in drone strikes in Pakistan and Yemen. This comes despite rumblings last year that the Pentagon would handle the U.S. targeted killings. “Despite rampant rumors that … Continue reading →

Posted in Brennan, CIA, White House Politics | Leave a comment

John Brennan confirmed as CIA director

Posted on March 11, 2013 by understandingempire

After a 13-hour fillibuster from Republican Senator Rand Paul, the Senate confirmed John Brennan’s nomination as CIA director on the 7th March 2013. Previous posts related to John Brennan: The Playbook and the Lethal Bureaucrat: John Brennan and the creation … Continue reading →

Posted in Brennan, CIA | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Architect of drone war is made…architect of drone war

Posted on January 8, 2013 by understandingempire

John Brennan’s nomination for CIA Chief in the wake of David “All In” Patreaus’ fall from grace is hardly a surprise. In 2008, Brennan was Obama’s pick for the role, but retracted his nomination after his support for “enhanced interrogation” … Continue reading →

Posted in Brennan, CIA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Drones and targeted killings: ‘On-the-record’ government speeches

Posted on October 10, 2012 by understandingempire

A very helpful blog post over at the Council on Foreign Relations summarizes the Obama administration’s on-the-record justifications for its program of targeted killings. While the details of the CIA’s ‘Third War’ remain shrouded in secrecy, government officials frequently allude to its efficiency, technicity, … Continue reading →

Posted in Brennan, Law and Lawfare, Obama, White House Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

John Brennan, counter-terrorist czar, defends drone strikes in Yemen

Posted on August 10, 2012 by understandingempire

The escalating and secretive drone war inside of Yemen, conducted in partnership between JSOC, the CIA, and Yemenese forces, was defended by John Brennan as part of the “solution” to militancy. The strikes, which target members of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula … Continue reading →

Posted in Brennan | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment