The real war on terror has happened largely behind closed doors, run by the White House, drawing on secret intelligence and operations around the world. There is no man who knows more about it than Richard Clarke, the former Counterterrorism Czar for both George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, the man who has led our efforts against al Qaeda and all other terrorist enemies for years, serving under seven presidents and in the White House for George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, until he resigned in March 2003. He has had a front-row seat at every major battle in this war, from the first World Trade Center bombing, to 9/11, to Afghanistan, to Iraq.
Clarke knows the secret stories of Bill Clinton's great victories (shutting down anti-U.S. terrorism sponsored by Iran and Iraq) and his great frustrations (failing to kill Osama Bin Laden despite many attempts). When President Bush took office, Clarke was ready to present him with a master plan to roll back and destroy al Qaeda, yet the president did not grant a briefing for months. His aides had little interest in Osama Bin Laden, preferring to talk about Saddam Hussein at every turn. Clarke knows why we failed to shut down terrorist financing within our borders prior to 2001.
After ignoring existing plans to attack al Qaeda when he first took office, George Bush made disastrous decisions when he finally did pay attention. Thanks to the determined, even conspiratorial views of Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld, and Bush, we went after the wrong enemy.
The charges Clarke levels against the current administration must be taken seriously by every American, Democrat or Republican. Our security depends upon it.
 Write a Review of Against All Enemies
LOLDavid, February 17, 2006
Reviewer: LOLDavid
from Los Angeles, California
This is an excellent behind the scenes evaluation of the United States counterterrorism efforts told from an intelligence advisor who’s been at the top of the field for over twenty years. Dick Clarke’s intense reading and dramatic writing give the book an entertaining and urgent feel. The book begins with the real life drama of Sept. 11th as seen from the White House decision makers. Clarke then goes through the history of counterterrorism focusing on the Middle East bring us to the present. The conclusion of the book a severe criticism of George W. Bush’s policies in isolating the U.S. from the rest of the world and choosing to invade Iraq in 2003. The critique is particularly effective because it is not coming from a whining pacifist critic, but a man who has been intensely active in defending the U.S. from terrorism for decades. He recognizes that this new war is highly complex and can not be solved by any simple military action, but requires cooperation with countries in the Middle East and around the World.
Donald, February 17, 2006
Reviewer: Donald
This Text Refers to the Hard Cover Edition:
Richard A. Clarke was at the center of U.S. counter-terrorism efforts for both George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Before that, he worked on related issues in the White House for George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan. Prior to that he served in the department of defense for other presidents since 1973. His experience in those posts put him in the middle of every terrorist threat and incident over decades. As a result, he is able to tell you what's been going on with terrorism, counter-terrorism and foreign policy. It's not a pretty picture . . . and it's now heading in entirely the wrong direction. Unless that direction is changed, many more American lives will be lost to terrorists. Our current War on Terror, according to Mr. Clarke, should probably be called a "War to Encourage Terror against the United States."
I highly recommend this book. You will find it of most value if you also read Bob Woodward's book, Plan of Attack, that details the background leading up into the Iraq war. If you are skeptical about the Iraq war, you should also read Michael Moore's Dude, Where's My Country and see Fahrenheit 9/11.
Mr. Clarke outlines a series of continuing errors in our efforts to combat terrorism.
1. Ronald Reagan did not retaliate for the killing of 278 Marines in Lebanon, and his people traded arms for hostages in Iran-Contra.
2. George H.W. Bush did not retaliate for the Libyan murder of 259 passengers on Pan Am 103, had no official counter-terrorism effort, left Saddam Hussein in power after the Gulf War, and built up huge forces in Saudi Arabia that are still there.
3. Bill Clinton failed to get the CIA, the Pentagon and FBI to take terrorist threats seriously.
4. George W. Bush ignored al Qaeda despite warnings before 9/11, launched an attack on Iraq that strengthened the fundamentalist Islamic terrorist movement, and has not pursued al Qaeda with much vigor or talent. Instead, Mr. Bush takes credit for launching a war on terror that is actually counter-productive.
The stories of incompetence, neglect, and self-serving actions in this book will make any patriotic American sick to his or her stomach. What's worse is that we have a less good position in pursuing terrorism now than we have been in many years, despite having spent enormous sums and lives to address the situation in ineffective ways. For example, local terrorism responders are fewer in number than they were before 9/11, and needed resources and training have been denied to them to pay for tax cuts and the war in Iraq.
The part of the book that is most frightening is the description of the Bush White House after its election. They seemed to have been people who thought they were still in 1988 when the first George Bush became president. The ABM treaty was a much higher priority than terrorism, and everyone was spoiling to go to war with Iraq. 9/11 was a God-send to the hidden agenda of attacking Saddam Hussein. After the War on Terror was begun, the most talented and experienced people were driven from the effort and replaced with people who were loyalists to the current president. Resources were spent to pursue the Bush agenda rather than dealing with terrorism. For example, resources needed to fight al Qaeda and find Osama bin Laden were diverted to Iraq which has had no connection to terror aimed at the United States in decades. As a result, al Qaeda is stronger today than ever before.
The book outlines what must be done. I came away with the impression that we will get four years of increased strengthening of al Qaeda if George W. Bush is re-elected this fall. Is that what should be the legacy of 9/11? I don't think so.
Donald Mitchell
http://livebetterthanabillionaireon5dollars.blogspot.com/
- Published:
2004
- Average Customer Ratings:
  (3.7, Audible.com)
- LearnOutLoud.com Product ID:
A004649
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