Then-National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice wrote: “Ironically, the al Qaeda [counterterrorism] strategy was finally ready for the Principals’ review on September 4 [2001]. The meeting was fruitful. We were able to agree on a strategy of implementing an ambitious covert-action program in Afghanistan and launching the Predator drone for reconnaissance missions. Because its armed capabilities were not ready, the Predator, the Principals agreed, could provide us with actionable intelligence to target the locations of key al Qaeda leaders. I forwarded the strategy to the President [Bush] for his approval on September 10.”
– Condoleezza Rice, No Higher Honor, Page 70