Posted on 05/25/2004 12:38:07 PM PDT by Rams82
Tom Clancy new book criticises Iraq war May 26, 2004
A celebrated author with many admirers in the military has criticised the US-led invasion of Iraq, citing it as proof that "good men make mistakes".
Tom Clancy also said he almost "came to blows" with a leading war supporter, former Pentagon adviser Richard Perle.
The hawkish master of such million-selling thrillers as Patriot Games and The Hunt for Red October has added his own name to critics of the Iraq war, and not only through his own comments.
His latest book, Battle Ready, is a collaboration with another war critic, retired Marine General Anthony Zinni.
Battle Ready looks at Zinni's long military career, dating back to the Vietnam War, and includes harsh remarks by Zinni about the current conflict.
In an interview today with The Associated Press, Clancy and Zinni sat side by side in a hotel conference room in Manhattan, mutual admirers who said they agreed on most issues, despite "one or two" spirited "discussions" during the book's planning.
Zinni has openly attacked the war, but Clancy reluctantly acknowledged his own concerns. He declined repeatedly to comment on the war, before saying that it lacked a "casus belli," or suitable provocation.
"It troubles me greatly to say that, because I've met President (George W) Bush," Clancy said. "He's a good guy. ... I think he's well-grounded, both morally and philosophically. But good men make mistakes."
Battle Ready was published in the United States today with a first printing of 438,700. It is the fourth in Clancy's "Commanders" series, in which military leaders reflect on their careers and discuss military strategy.
"In the movies, military leaders are all drunken Nazis," said Clancy, who has worked on books about retired General Chuck Horner, who led US Central Command Air Forces during the Gulf War, and retired General Carl Stiner, whose missions included the capture of Panama leader Manuel Noriega.
"In fact, these are very bright people who regard the soldiers and Marines under them as their own kids. I thought the people needed to know about that. These are good guys, and smart guys."
Zinni served as commander in chief of the US Central Command from 1997 to 2000 and as a special Middle East envoy from 2001-2003.
But even as an envoy, Zinni spoke out against invading Iraq, regarding it as disastrous for Middle East peace and a distraction from the war against terrorism. Today, he said getting rid of Saddam Hussein was not worth the price.
"He's a bad guy. He's a terrible guy and he should go," Zinni said.
"But I don't think it's worth 800 troops dead, 4500 wounded - some of them terribly - $US200 billion ($286.8 billion) of our treasury and counting, and our reputation and our image in the world, particularly in that region, shattered."
In discussing the Iraq war, both Clancy and Zinni singled out the Department of Defence for criticism.
Clancy recalled a prewar encounter in Washington during which he "almost came to blows" with Richard Perle, a Pentagon adviser at the time and a longtime advocate of the invasion.
Egads...Lou Holtz and Tom Clancy going to the Dark Side.
His new wife, who is black, maybe has some Muslim family members.
Well, I guess I know where my firewood starter is coming from next winter...I have a library of the stuff.
What ethnicity is Zinni? Eye-Talian?
I believe Zinni is Jewish but I'm not sure.
Not stupid, but brave. And an act of integrity.
First of all, its written about events 20 years ago. There seem to be anachronisms, items and events which are out of order in the timeline. Clancy readers are pretty smart so I know that they catch things like that.
I know its hard to recall events 2 decades ago, but Clacny also writes as if every single person knew that the Soviet Union would crumble by 1991. It was simply not the case.
I also have a problem with the character of Jack Ryan. I nearly threw the book down when Clancy wrote that Ryan was so "smart" that he invested in a litte coffee company named Starbucks back in the early 80's. Thats cheap writing.
Its clear that although Clancy understood the Cold War, but I don't think he gets terrorism as well.
Many think Clancy does not write his own stuff any more, and given the quality (or lack thereof) of Red Rabbit, I agree.
It reminds of Stephen Ambrose's last book where apparently his staff put together alot of it and it contained alot of sloppy errors.
"There he was, sitting on international TV, wearing a beige colored 1970s era Leisure Suit. YUCK!!!"
Actually this could be seen as flattering. The ways which fairly sudden wealth change people say much about their character.
"I also have a problem with the character of Jack Ryan. I nearly threw the book down when Clancy wrote that Ryan was so "smart" that he invested in a litte coffee company named Starbucks back in the early 80's. Thats cheap writing."
Clancy indulges in wishful thinking autobiography to a degree that harms his work. 'the bear and the dragon' was full of monologues on his political views, and at that point I quit reading him. I agree, it IS cheap writing and he clearly has the sales figures to forgo normal editorial controls and put this stuff out there.
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