Who Will Drones Target? Who in the US Will Decide? The Pentagon is likely to be sidelined from decisions on determining which terror leaders are targeted for attacks by drones. It's a change that would concentrate the power to strike with lethal force outside war zones within one small team at the White House. White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan wants to scrap the more inclusive yet cumbersome process run by the military. That's according to officials aware of his review. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not allowed to publicly discuss the classified targeting program. The White House is reviewing the plan. Officials say the changes would establish a more permanent process to govern lethal targeting.