For a number of reasons, many of which we outline here, the reports that the secret Bush-era CIA program concealed from Congress for eight years involved targeting the leaders of Al Qaeda for assassination don't ring true. Or at least it seems likely to be only a part of the truth.

Now a former CIA counterterrorism chief tells TPMmuckraker there would be no need for a special CIA program or separate legal authorization since we've been targeting Al Qaeda leaders for years. Remember all the drone attacks still going on in Pakistan?