In one of the first hangouts Monday, President Obama admitted the U.S. has attacked Taliban and al-Qaida targets in Pakistan with unmanned drones.
“For the most part, they’ve been very precise precision strikes against al-Qaeda and their affiliates, and we’re very careful in terms of how it’s been applied,” Obama said.
A New York City-based participant had asked the president about the use of military drones. The hangout’s moderator indicated the question was drawn from a New York Times report that said the U.S. is operating unmanned surveillance vehicles in Iraq.
âThe truth of the matter is weâre not engaging in a bunch of drone attacks inside of Iraq,â he said. âThere is some surveillance to make sure our embassy compound is protected.
âIt is important for everybody to understand that this thing is kept on a very tight leash.”