Should US Capture, And Not Kill, Al Qaeda Leaders?

An MQ-1B Predator Drone from the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron takes off from Balad Air Base in Iraq, in this June 2008 file photo. Courtesy of Senior Airman Julianne Showalter/U.S. Air Force/Reuters/File

Drone Strikes: Should US Capture, And Not Kill, Al Qaeda Leaders? -- Christian Science Monitor

The White House hailed the killing of Abu Yahya al-Libi as bringing Al Qaeda 'closer to its demise than ever.' But some say the drone strike policy is squandering sources of valuable intelligence.

The White House on Tuesday trumpeted the killing by drone strike of Al Qaeda’s second-in-command, Abu Yahya al-Libi, as bringing the terrorist organization responsible for the 9/11 attacks “closer to its demise than ever.”

But by killing off Al Qaeda leaders and operatives by means of the unmanned drones rather than capturing them, is the US losing out on valuable intelligence on an evolving organization – and thus on information that might also be crucial in defeating the terror group?

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My Comment: I would prefer to have them captured .... targeted assassinations are effective, but not helpful in obtaining intelligence and information. But for this administration it is very clear to me that the priority right now is to use all available resources to exterminate Al Qaeda's leadership structure .... and worry about the consequences later.