The below quote focuses on the USA, but the country name could easily be substituted for others like Britain (SAS), Trinidad (Police Hit Squad), Pakistan (Military Specialists), etc. The subject of discussion is not based on an activism issue, but on that of tactical necessity to act in a form of warfare without informing the citizenry. Should the Executive be able to give commands that may take out lives without any formal declaration to either the enemy or his / her country - Is this correct?
" ... the United States, for generations, has sustained two parallel but opposed states of mind about military atrocities and human rights: one of U.S. benevolence, generally held by the public, and the other of ends-justify-the-means brutality sponsored by counterinsurgency specialists. Normally the specialists carry out their actions in remote locations with little notice in the national press. That allows the public to sustain its faith in a just America, while hard-nosed security and economic interests are still protected in secret. "
-- Robert Parry, investigative reporter and author
This is a tough subject to answer. I believe that there is a time when, acting in the best interest of your country, these types of actions are needed. The people of a country often don't realize or don't know the best course of action, but always believe they do.
But the problem comes with who makes these decisions. I am more concerned that the person making the decision is not a good man or woman. Who gets to decide what covert actions to do or not to do?