After killing of 2 hostages, new scrutiny for U.S. drone operations

WASHINGTON -- The accidental killing of two hostages in a U.S. operation against al-Qaida has put a new spotlight on the Obama administration's reliance on drones in the battle against terrorism -- and has also raised pressure on the White House to revise the nation's oft-criticized strategy for dealing with abducted Americans and their families.

A day after President Barack Obama apologized and took responsibility for the deaths of American Warren Weinstein and Italian Giovanni Lo Porto in a January strike along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, officials said yesterday that a nearly yearlong interagency review of the hostage policy is to be finished this spring.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the Obama administration is considering whether to create a "fusion cell" composed of the FBI, Pentagon, State Department and intelligence community to ensure they are closely coordinating on rescue efforts and communication with families. The administration is seeking reaction to the idea from relatives of hostages, after several have complained about the government's response in the past.

The review, led by the National Counterterrorism Center, won't affect the long-standing U.S. refusal to offer ransom or other concessions for the release of hostages.

"Paying ransom or offering a concession to a terrorist organization may result in the saving of one innocent life, but could put countless other innocent lives at greater risk," Earnest said.

In a speech to intelligence officials yesterday, Obama praised the nation's spying operations as the most capable in the world.

"We all bleed when we lose an American life," Obama said at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to mark its 10th anniversary.

Obama said he knows the U.S. intelligence community has faced criticism but it can take great pride that its work has made America more secure.

"We're going to review what happened," Obama said.

He added: "This self-reflection, this willingness to examine ourselves, to make corrections, to do better, that's part of what makes us Americans. It's part of what sets us apart from other nations."