Posted on 06/23/2004 3:31:55 PM PDT by jpl
WASHINGTON (AFP) - A book by an anonymous CIA (news - web sites) official titled "Imperial Hubris," describes Iraq (news - web sites) and Afghanistan (news - web sites) as two "failed half-wars" that have played into the enemy's hands and complicated the war on terrorism, reports said.
The 309-page book was written by a still serving Central Intelligence Agency (news - web sites) officer who from 1996 to 1999 headed a special office to track Osama bin Laden (news - web sites) and who, in the book, is identified only as Anonymous, said the New York Times which obtained a copy of the book.
In a highly unusual move allowing the publication of a book on a politically explosive topic, the CIA vetted the book to ensure it included no classified information, and a CIA official asked the daily not to reveal the identity of its author -- a former CIA official identified him -- because he could become a target of bin Laden's al-Qaeda network, the daily said.
In criticism directed both at US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) and his predecessor Bill Clinton (news - web sites), the author of the book says US leaders "refuse to accept the obvious".
"We are fighting a worldwide Islamic insurgency -- not criminality or terrorism -- and our policy and procedures have failed to make more than a modest dent in enemy forces," he said.
He said the threat from radical Islam is rooted in opposition not to American values, but to policies and actions, particularly in the Islamic world.
The book denounces the US occupation of Iraq as "an avaricious, premeditated unprovoked war against a foe who posed no immediate threat," and said it would fuel the anti-American sentiments on which bin Laden and his followers draw.
"There is nothing that bin Laden could have hoped for more than the American invasion and occupation of Iraq," the author writes.
In warning that the United States is losing the war on terrorism, Anonymous writes: "In the period since 11 September, the United States has dealt lethal blows to Al Qaeda's leadership and -- if official claims are true -- have captured 3,000 Al Qaeda foot soldiers.
"At the same time, we have waged two failed half-wars and, in doing so, left Afghanistan and Iraq seething with anti-U.S. sentiment, fertile grounds for the expansion of Al Qaeda and kindred groups."
Anonymous said he has "a pressing certainty that Al Qaeda will attack the continental United States again, that its next strike will be more damaging than that of 11 September 2001, and could include use of weapons of mass destruction."
>>For all I know they have no idea what they're doing and my rationale does not apply.
Oh, no, they know what they're doing.
Protect the Saudis at all costs.
It should be easy to figure out who "Anonymous" is. Just look for the guy who headed this task force and was subsequently demoted and removed from the loop due to incompetence.
I'm sure many in the press and probably most in the CIA actually know who this dishonorable creep is. But given that the identities of most of these spooks are secret, and given that Bush is already taking flak for the name of one being leaked in the past, it's highly doubtful that we'll ever find out who it is. Clearly the dude wants to fill out his time and get his pension instead of doing the right thing and quitting if he's that angry.
nice set of comments with good details. Thank you.
From ABC:
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/WNT/World/anonymous_cia_book_040623-2.html
"Within the intelligence commuity [sic], 'Anonymous' has both supporters and detractors. His detractors note he was removed from the hunt for bin Laden, perhaps freeing up his time to write a book."
Tenet is officially stepping down on July 11, and the day can't come fast enough. I pray to God that Bush appoints an ass-kicker out of the Bill Casey mold, someone that can keep the malcontents like this guy in line.
This article really doesn't give much information
Balony!
I said that when President Bush assumed office that he needed to get rid of anything and everyone that ws associated with a clinton.
Anything and everything that the clintons touch or even come near to, they corrupt.
It sounds like we're pretty much in agreement.
Which article, the ABC one? I think it's pretty outrageous this guy got an all 3 network news stations all on the same night. You can't buy advertising like that.
In contrast, the FBI Agent, Aldrich, who wrote the tell-all on Clinton's behavior couldn't even get on the Sunday talk shows because Clinton's staff ordered them not to allow him on TV.
There needs to be a real housecleaning at a number agencies like State, CIA, etc. All the communist bureaucrats need to be fired, or perhaps bought out since I'll bet union rules protect them.
Here's another example of a US bureaucrat trying to undermine Bush. I found this in a "Snitch" 6/23 article about Bush's trip to Ireland.
http://www.snitchsandiego.com/sdcover0623e.htm
"However, a senior U.S. source in Dublin, who very specifically asked not to be named, has poured cold water on the idea that the president was paying special consideration to Ireland.
"He said, 'President Bush is not visiting Ireland in the true sense of the word. He is here for nap. He has a fear of appearing jet-lagged; he wants to adjust to European time before heading on to his real destination – the NATO summit in Turkey. The only thing of interest he will be doing here is meeting his various advisers from France and Germany who will brief him on the European position before he attends the summit. Ireland is simply a sleep-over destination.'
"However, the 'sleep-over' will be a fully equipped home away from home, where every potential need of the president can be catered to."
Sounds like a State Dept. bureaucrat. After the 2004 election get rid of Powell and most of the State Dept and hire new people.
sorry, yes the ABC one really didn't tell you what he said.
I don't know if you noticed, but the link is to page 2 of the ABC report. They have more about what he said on page 1. Not a whole lot more, but more. If you already checked that out then please ignore this post.
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