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As Obama's chief counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan has been associated with some controversial policies, including the use of armed drones. It's unlikely his appointment as CIA director is in trouble, but he's likely to face questions on drones as well as the agency's interrogation policies.
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The Obama administration wanted to keep the existence of the base secret. It has been used to target al-Qaida members in Yemen.
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The White House has emphasized that incoming Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel — both Vietnam veterans — understand the full cost of war. President Obama says that makes them the right choice for their jobs, as the U.S. moves away from big wars to a targeted approach.
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Republican senators have said they may try to hold up John Brennan's nomination to be CIA director until they hear more about the attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi and more about his views on "enhanced interrogation."
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President Obama has nominated his counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan, to lead the CIA. Brennan's work with the agency under George W. Bush has been controversial, and he's also drawn criticism for his lead role in the Obama administration's use of unmanned drones.
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The president is moving to fill two key posts on his national security team. If confirmed, former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel (a Republican) would lead the Pentagon. John Brennan, the president's counterterrorism adviser, would be at the Central Intelligence Agency.
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Counterterrorism adviser John Brennan is expected to be chosen as CIA director. And it's expected that Chuck Hagel will be announced to replace retiring Defense secretary Leon Panetta at the Pentagon.
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John Brennan is one of the president's top national security aides. A veteran of the CIA, he was the agency's deputy executive director during President George W. Bush's administration. Brennan has said he opposed many of the Bush administration's policies, including the use of waterboarding.