Wolf Blitzer delivers the most important breaking news and political, international, and national security stories of the day. Tune to The Situation Room weekdays 5-7pm ET on CNN.
By Suzanne Kelly
The Obama administration publicly justified its use of unmanned drones to target suspected terrorists overseas for the first time Monday, with a top official saying the strikes are conducted "in full accordance with the law."
John Brennan, President Barack Obama's top counterterrorism adviser said strikes are used when the option of capture is not feasible. Brennan discussed the strikes during a Monday address at the Woodrow Wilson Center, a Washington think-tank.
"President Obama said here five years ago, if another nation cannot or will not take action, we will," Brennan said. "And it is an unfortunate fact that to save many innocent lives we are sometimes obliged to take lives – the lives of terrorists who seek to murder our fellow citizens."
Full post on CNN Security Clearance blog
House Republicans defy the president's veto threat and approve a student loan bill. CNN's Kate Bolduan reports.
John Edwards' ex-aide Andrew Young says he felt threatened during the duo's last meeting. CNN's Joe Johns reports.
RELATED: Former Edwards aide says he was intimidated by donors
The 'Girls Gone Wild' creator wants to send one of his video subjects to Capitol Hill for a Congressional internship. CNN's Lisa Sylvester reports.
A 76-year-old man battling cancer is protesting Spirit Airlines after his bid for a refund is denied. CNN's Mary Snow reports.
Rep. Paul Ryan's speech at Georgetown University is met with protests by the Catholic faculty. CNN's Kate Bolduan reports.
CNN's Joe Johns reports on the trial of John Edwards & new evidence about the cover-up of his affair & mistress' pregnancy.
RELATED: Former aide faces more questions at John Edwards trial
By CNN's Wolf Blitzer
(CNN) – For all practical purposes, Mitt Romney is now the leader of the Republican Party.
Move over Reince Priebus, Mitch McConnell, John Boehner and the others. You have a new boss.
FULL POST
CNN's Lisa Sylvester looks into a JetBlue plane that made an emergency landing after hitting birds.
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher was asked by Secretary Clinton to stay out of Afghanistan to avoid a "mini-crisis" with President Karzai. Wolf Blitzer interviews the congressman on the incident and the fallout.
REALTED: BLITZER'S BLOG: Outrage – U.S. congressman not allowed into Afghanistan