Product Description

Though U.S. leaders try to convince the world of their success in fighting al Qaeda, one anonymous member of the U.S. intelligence community would like to inform the public that we are, in fact, losing the war on terror. Further, until U.S. leaders recognize the errant path they have irresponsibly chosen, he says, our enemies will only grow stronger.

According to the author, the greatest danger for Americans confronting the Islamist threat is to believe—at the urging of U.S. leaders—that Muslims attack us for what we are and what we think rather than for what we do. Blustering political rhetoric "informs" the public that the Islamists are offended by the Western world’s democratic freedoms, civil liberties, inter-mingling of genders, and separation of church and state. However, although aspects of the modern world may offend conservative Muslims, no Islamist leader has fomented jihad to destroy participatory democracy, for example, the national association of credit unions, or coed universities.

Instead, a growing segment of the Islamic world strenuously disapproves of specific U.S. policies and their attendant military, political, and economic implications. Capitalizing on growing anti-U.S. animosity, Osama bin Laden’s genius lies not simply in calling for jihad, but in articulating a consistent and convincing case that Islam is under attack by America. Al Qaeda’s public statements condemn America’s protection of corrupt Muslim regimes, unqualified support for Israel, the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, and a further litany of real-world grievances. Bin Laden’s supporters thus identify their problem and believe their solution lies in war. Anonymous contends they will go to any length, not to destroy our secular, democratic way of life, but to deter what they view as specific attacks on their lands, their communities, and their religion. Unless U.S. leaders recognize this fact and adjust their policies abroad accordingly, even moderate Muslims will join the bin Laden camp.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #85599 in Books
• Published on: 2004-06-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 352 pages

Amazon.com Review
The war on terror has created near unanimity on many points, at least within the American press and political leadership. One essential point of agreement: al Qaeda specifically and radical Islamism in general are stirred by a hatred of modernity. Or as President George W. Bush has articulated repeatedly, they hate freedom. Nonsense, responds the nameless author of this work and 2003's Through Our Enemies' Eyes (the senior U.S. intelligence official's identity became an open secret by publication date). Indeed, he grimly and methodically discards common wisdom throughout this scathing and compelling take on counterterrorism. Imperial Hubris is not a book that will cheer Americans, regardless of their perspectives on the post-9/11 environment. We are, the author notes, losing the war on terror. Hawks will squirm as the author heaps contempt on U.S. missions in Afghanistan (too little, too late) and Iraq ("a sham causing more instability than it prevents"), but opponents of Bush administration policies may blanch at Anonymous' suggestion that what's needed is for the West to "proceed with relentless, brutal, and, yes, blood-soaked offensive military actions until we have annihilated the Islamists who threaten us." Quoting the at-all-cost likes of William Tecumseh Sherman and Curtis Lemay on one hand and contending that unrelenting military measures be accompanied by concessions to the ideology of the militants on the other are unlikely to curry widespread support from either side of the divide. And how will readers conditioned to references to Osama bin Laden as a deranged gangster or simple-minded fanatic with deep pockets digest the respect accorded "the most popular anti-American leader in the world today"? Imperial Hubris clearly wasn't written to win friends, though the author believes it's essential that his words influence people at the top. Whether it will is debatable, but that this blunt, forceful, urgently argued polemic recharges the discussion is a foregone conclusion. --Steven Stolder

From Publishers Weekly
It's unclear how, in an age when even office workers must sign confidentiality agreements, an alleged CIA Middle Eastern specialist has gotten permission to publish a sprawling, erudite book on the origins and present state of the "war on terror." His main point is that Arab antagonism to the West (and even non-fundamentalist Arab regimes' winking at terrorism) has its root in real grievances that have gone unaddressed by U.S. measures. The actions of the Saudis, and their U.S. supporters, come in for some hard criticism, as does the elevation of Northern Alliance warlords to de facto governors of Afghanistan. The author makes some challenging remarks regarding Israel ("Surely there can be no other historical example of a faraway, theocracy-in-all-but-name of only six million people that ultimately controls the extent and even the occurrence of an important portion of political discourse and national security debate in a country of 270-plus million people that prides itself on religious toleration, separation of church and state, and freedom of speech") while playing down the extent to which the Taliban itself was a corrupt theocratic regime. But his annotated compendia of battles and skirmishes won and lost by the U.S. and al-Qaeda are gripping, and his engagement with his subject has made him a pundit-in-demand.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Bookmarks Magazine
Anonymous author of 2002’s Through Our Enemies’ Eyes headed the CIA’s bin Laden unit between 1996 and 1999, but has little to say about his experience there. Instead, he’s saved his venom for recent CIA leadership and American administrations, whose hubris has blinded them—us—to increasing threats from the “Islamic insurgency.” Despite concealing his sources and lumping all Muslims together, Anonymous offers persuasive reasons for why we’re losing the war on terror. He debunks the idea that bin Laden is a marginalized terrorist; most Muslims instead see him as a “practical warrior.” And he offers compelling evidence for why we should fight the insurgents with ideas, not weapons. This authoritative book will stand out among its peers for its sheer intelligence and terrifying questions. (See our previous round-up of books on terrorism and Iraq, “Rethinking Iraq,” July/Aug 2004.)

Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.

Customer Reviews

A laborious read with an assortment of ideas
Whew....books about terrorism are hardly fun to read. Since our leadership shows so little interest in educating itself on the matter, some alarmed citizens have taken it upon themselves to fill the void.

When I seen the authors name displayed as 'Anonymous', I was expecting a book filled with ultra provacative, hard hitting allegations that might provoke a visit from an SOA jackal. Such is not the case, the author is an experienced CIA analyst who is sure to wrinkle some feathers but hardly enough to jeopardize his future life or retirement.

I didn't really like this book. The main reason for that is that the author shows that we have earned the hatred espoused by the vast majority in the ME. Rather than encouraging diplomacy or maturity or anything else, he recommends that we kill so many that they lose their ability and resolve. Kind of glosses over the fact that a million Iraqi's starved after the first Gulf War. Doesn't mention perhaps another million fatalities under stage deux.

On the other hand, he does make a lot of interesting points and observations, especially in the final chapter. A few more interesting quotes:
"As a sovereign state, the United States is free to decide and implement its policies in the Muslim world. They have been designed by elected leaders to meet national interests, approved and funded by elected representatives, and validated repeatedly in presidential and congressional elections. To say America is responsible for the policies against which Islam is waging war is a truism.........." p. 250

"Status quo US policy towards Israel will result in unending war with Islam." p. 257


However, I do give him credit for recognizing that we are more likely to engage in genocide that untie ourselves from the shackles of militant Israeli imprisonment.

Losing the war on terror
Imperial Hubris (Why The West Is Losing The War On Terror)
If anyone thinks that the West has a sensible working policy that can beat terrorism with its approach to Afghanistan,Israel and the Gulf States then read this book and see what the terrorists representatives say and have it interpreted by ex-CIA operatives involved during the Russian presence in Afghanistan. These operatives had enormous insight to the tribal tensions and politics, Afghani history and what makes the population tick. All of which was neglected by new kids on the block when the country was invaded by the West. In dealing with Afghanistan the writer also shows the thinking inside the Islamic world that includes that country, Israel and Gulf states as to why terrorists cannot be defeated by the gun.

Everyone Should Read This Book!
Written by an ex-CIA back office dude who could not beleive the non-sense he witnessed first hand. I voted for Pres. Bush twice. I bought into the "we gotta kill 'em all now!" stuff right from the start, going back to the first WTC attack in 1993. After 9/11, all bets were off. However, over time I noticed something was amiss. This book brings all of what is amiss into sharp focus. A must read for anyone who buys into the "WAR ON TERROR" - "WE MUST REMAIN ON THE ATTACK". Simply because we are not on the right track, and have not been from the start. A factual book thats hard to put down.