9/17/2001

“On September 17 [2001], [President] Bush signed an order giving enormous powers to the CIA, allowing it to conduct the war in Afghanistan and make foreign policy decisions using the help of foreign intelligence agencies, in order to capture or kill members of al Qaeda. Up to $900 million and perhaps more than $1 billion was allocated to the CIA for covert operations.”

 – Ahmed Rashid, Descent Into Chaos, Page 62