title: Against All Enemies
author/editor: Richard A. Clarke
reviewed by: June
AGAINST ALL ENEMIES
This book is by Richard A. Clarke who served thirty years in the Senior Executive Service of the White House. Under the administration of seven presidents, he became a dedicated authority on combating terrorism.
The book opens with the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center. Clarke was the nation's crisis manager, running the Situation Room in the White House. In the days that followed the attack, the author was dismayed at the response of George W. Bush and his key officials. Clarke recalls that when President Bush took office, he showed no interest in al Qaeda. Nine months passed before Clarke was able to get a meeting with Bush. Instead, the administration's focus was on Iraq.
What I found interesting is the contrast in the style, perception and intelligence of Clinton and Bush. After attacks in East Africa in 1998, FBI and CIA provided evidence that the operation had been al Qaeda. Then-President Clinton asked for an overall plan to deal with al Qaeda. "Listen, retaliating for these attacks is all well and good, but we gotta get rid of these guys once and for all," Clinton said, looking seriously over his half glasses....You understand what I'm telling you?"(page 185) As a result, the Clinton administration had plans in place to attack al Qaeda.
The clearest indication of Bush's understanding and his motivation came in an interview with Diane Sawyer on ABC. Sawyer asked in several ways about the hard fact of Saddam Hussein's possession of weapons of mass destruction as opposed to the possibility that he might try to ACQUIRE those weapons. "Finally in exasperation, the president said,
I'm telling you I made the right decision for America because Saddam Hussein used weapons of mass destruction (in the 1980s) and invaded Kuwait (in 1990)" (page 266)
So he invaded Iraq which he concluded "...means America's a more secure country."(page 267)
Much of the book is taken up with Clarke's recounting the history of terrorism by the Arab nations. He recites the details of endless meetings, agendas, and opinions of the principals attending.
There is no doubt about Clarke's knowledge. His story is consistent and complete.
June adds: "I have no doubt the threat to our country is real. I am troubled by a security system that seems woefully inadequate."