Free Republic

Anwar al-Aulaqi (AP/Muhammad ud-Deen) U.S. officials have given Anwar al-Aulaqi a newly elevated designation on the day of his death by drone strike, describing him as “chief of external operations” for al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Yemen. The new title, cited by officials at the White House and the CIA, reflects Aulaqi’s evolution from Muslim cleric to alleged terrorist plotter, as well as a desire by American officials to persuade the public that the extraordinary killing of a U.S. citizen overseas was warranted. U.S. officials also disclosed what they said were new details about Aulaqi’s operational role, saying that he personally had...