Special Ops Given More Leeway In Central Command Region

The head of U.S. Central Command has expanded clandestine military activity in the region, the New York Times reports.

The directive, signed in September by Gen. David Petraeus, authorized the deployment of U.S. special operations forces to both friendly and hostile nations in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Horn of Africa to gather intelligence and build ties with local forces, according to defense officials and documents.

The order could also cover reconnaissance...