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Source: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-cia-syria-20130316,0,3989647.story
CIA Begins Sizing Up Islamic Extremists in Syria for Drone Strikes
(Los Angeles Times) Ken Dilanian and Brian Bennett - The Counterterrorism Center, which runs the CIA's covert drone killing program in Pakistan and Yemen, recently shifted several targeting officers to improve intelligence collection on militants in Syria who could pose a terrorist threat, U.S. officials said. U.S. officials believe some al-Qaeda operatives and fighters in Iraq have moved to Syria and joined Islamic militias battling to overthrow President Assad. The targeting is part of an array of CIA and Pentagon responses and contingency plans. Other proposals include plans to seize or destroy Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles, which are closely monitored by U.S. intelligence.