Disposition Matrix

The Disposition Matrix, informally known as a kill list, is a database of information for tracking, capturing, rendering, or killing suspected enemies of the United States.^[1] Developed by the Obama administration beginning in 2010, it goes beyond existing kill lists and is intended to become a permanent fixture of U.S. policy.^[1] The process determining the criteria for killing is not public and was heavily shaped by National Counterterrorism Director and former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John O. Brennan.^[2]

Though White House, National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), and CIA spokespeople have declined to comment on the database, officials have stated privately that kill lists will expand "for at least another decade", if not indefinitely. One official stated "it's a necessary part of what we do".^[1] Paul R. Pillar, the former deputy director of the CIA's counterterrorism center, has stated, "We are looking at something that is potentially indefinite".^[1]

The database's existence was revealed in a three-part series published by The Washington Post.

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Miller, Greg (23 October 2012). "Plan for hunting terrorists signals U.S. intends to keep adding names to kill lists". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012.
^ DeYoung, Karen (24 October 2012). "A CIA veteran transforms U.S. counterterrorism policy". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012.

[wp1023-1] Miller, Greg (23 October 2012). "Plan for hunting terrorists signals U.S. intends to keep adding names to kill lists". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012.

[wp1024-2] DeYoung, Karen (24 October 2012). "A CIA veteran transforms U.S. counterterrorism policy". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012.

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