Today's Headlines and Commentary

The Washington Post is covering the continuing story on Adel al-Gazzar, the former Guantanamo detainee who returned to Egypt and was promptly arrested. The State Department has added a second former Guantanamo detainee--and seventh AQAP operative--to its list of government-sanctioned terrorists. The Miami Herald has the story. In the continuing coverage of the recent appointment of al-Zawahiri as bin Laden's successor, the Washington Post is suggesting that his promotion is a blow to the jihadist movement. The New York Times also has analysis here. Attorney General Eric Holder recently spoke in Washington to the American Constitution Society in favor of trying terrorism suspects in civilian courts. The Wall Street Journal has coverage of his speech here, and Politico's Josh Gerstein covers the story here. The New York Times' Charlie Savage reports on Senator Mitch McConnell's argument with the Justice Department over the two Iraqis being held in Kentucky. Lawfare readers may recall that he is arguing for their transfer to Guantanamo. In the realm of cybersecurity, the Washington Post reports that the NSA is joining forces with Internet service providers to build tools in an effort to thwart cyberattacks focused on the defense industry. Jack and Bobby have been prolific (see here, here, here, here, and here) in discussing the White House's defense of continuing operations in Libya and the War Powers Act the last few days. The New York Times editorializes on this topic, saying

No matter how one sees this mission, the War Powers Act is an essential balance to the White House’s — any White House’s — power to wage war. Carving out an exception for drones or air strikes would be a dangerous precedent, especially in an era when so much fighting can be done from the air and by remote control. We are deeply skeptical of the motivations of at least some of the politicians suddenly championing the War Powers Act, beginning with House Speaker John Boehner.

Senator Dick Durbin unveiled a resolution to authorize the use of force in Libya, and would comply with  the War Powers Act and would carry the force of law (unlike the Kerry/McCain resolution that is circulating), according to Politico. Speaker Boehner, meanwhile, is threatening to eliminate funding for U.S. operations in Libya if the White House Office of Legal Counsel doesn't agree with the White House's justification. The stench from a story we shared yesterday has wafted over to the Miami Herald's desk. For more news and analysis links, see Today's Terrorism News over at the CenterLine.