The President’s pick to head the CIA, Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden probably has the job, despite some tough questions from Senators about the National Security Agency’s now hotly debated electronic surveillance program, initiated when Hayden was in charge. At a lengthy Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing May 18, Hayden comported himself well, answering questions about telephone records and the CIA’s ability to provide unvarnished—read that non-political—analysis. Hayden promised the agency, under his leadership, would “do our best to tell you what we know and why we think it and where we’re doubtful and where we don’t know.” (Read his written testimony here.)
Concerned about how artificial intelligence might be used to generate target lists or operational plans, lawmakers want to expand limits on autonomous weapons to address mission planning and target selection. The House Armed Services Committee's version of the 2027 National Defense Authorization bill would direct the Pentagon to revise Defense…