Operation Cannonball

Operation Cannonball is an American Central Intelligence Agency operation that was disclosed in 2008.^[1] Beginning in 2006, it was intended as part of an effort to capture Osama Bin Laden and eliminate Al Qaeda forces in Pakistan.^[1] There was reportedly "mounting frustration" among Pentagon officials due to the ongoing delay and deployment of special forces units, as originally planned in the Cannonball program.^[2] The operation was reportedly hampered by conflicts between CIA offices, leading to large delays in the deployment of the program.^[1] Partially to blame for the presently failed deployment of the program was conflict among United States intelligence agencies, among with resources having been diverted to the War In Iraq.^[2]

The existence of the covert program, and its various internal conflicts, was revealed to the public by the New York Times on June 30, 2008.^[3] The New York Times article was said to be "exposing highly classified Pentagon orders".^[3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Mazetti, Mark; Dave Rodhe (2008-06-30). "Amid Policy Disputes, Qaeda Grows in Pakistan". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/washington/30tribal.html. Retrieved 2008-06-30. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Secret US military plan for Pakistan on hold-report". Reuters. 2008-06-30. http://www.reuters.com/article/featuredCrisis/idUSN29326556. Retrieved 2008-06-30. 
3. ^ ^{a b} McLeod, Judi (2008-06-30). "New York Times again exposes “highly classified Pentagon order”". Canada Free Press. http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/3724. Retrieved 2008-06-30.