America’s Secret War

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 ...