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America’s Secret War
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America’s Secret War

Inside the Hidden Worldwide Struggle Between America and Its Enemies

George Friedman
Doubleday Broadway, 2004
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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Innovative

Recommendation

Al-Qaeda’s September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States initiated a unique war. This dispersed, ideological, religious, fanatical, stateless enemy required America and its allies to rethink their military and political strategies so they could wage a war in some of the world’s most remote locations. The situation rendered previous military-political models useless. The war against al-Qaeda required an entirely new, global offensive strategy. Author George Friedman asserts difficult-to-uncover – and difficult-to-prove or disprove – information about the international intelligence and military infighting that shaped the Iraq war’s initial stages. His detailed presentation shows his command of this complex global geopolitical and military story. He presents a saga much more complex and intertwined than most media reports on Iraq, which is, of course, the advantage of a book. getAbstract considers this essential reading for anyone interested in the Middle East and the war against al-Qaeda, including journalists and those interested in current events, intelligence and military-political history.

Summary

The Hidden War

The September 11, 2001 attacks were the most dramatic part of a three-pronged assault on the United States’ political, military and financial centerpieces. The attacks worked due to the stealth and discipline of al-Qaeda terrorists, whose main success was evading US intelligence. One reason al-Qaeda succeeded is that it is not a nation. While the United States recognized the al-Qaeda threat, it did not know its specific plans or timing. However, the United States knew when al-Qaeda launched the “Fourth Global War.” It began when the Cold War ended, in an atmosphere of polarizing politics. That outcome left a region of politically unstable, corrupt, primarily Muslim nations dependent on Western largesse and military strength.

Looking Back

In January 1979, rebels overthrew the Shah of Iran and installed a government based on Islamic law. At the time, the United States was focused on containing the USSR, mostly by isolating it through a series of treaties. America feared Russia would join the Iranians or invade Afghanistan, which it did that December. To unbalance the Soviets and counter the threat that they would disrupt the oil supply, Jimmy ...

About the Author

George Friedman founded and chairs Stratfor, a private intelligence company. He has written four books and numerous articles on national security, warfare and intelligence. A nationally recognized expert, he has appeared on major television networks and has been featured in Time, Barron's, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times Magazine.

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