ASPEN, Colo. (AP) — Former U.S. intelligence chief Dennis Blair says the U.S. should stop its drone campaign in Pakistan, and reconsider the $80 billion a year it spends to fight terrorism.
Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum, Blair says the CIA drone campaign aimed at al-Qaida is backfiring by damaging the U.S.-Pakistan relationship. He suggests giving Pakistan more say in what gets hit and when, despite Pakistan's record of tipping off militants when it gets advance word of U.S. action.
The retired admiral suggested cutting the cost of hunting terrorists by relying more on local forces in places like Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia.
Blair, who was forced to resign by the Obama administration, says the White House undercut his position by siding with the CIA, instead of telling it to listen to him.
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