The Exile
Fuck Pakistan.
My thoughts on that toilet of a country are well known, but that's how this review should start. The book covers Al Qaeda from pre-9/11 through the end of 2016. Simply amazing. The ties AlQ has to Iran are new to me and staggering. The complicit nature of the ISI in protecting Al Qaeda and the TB (especially the TB) is well known, but on display in the book. Did I mention the Al Q/ Iran ties? Unreal. The book alleges that Iran was going to work with the US post-9/111 until the Axis Evil speech, going so far as to discussing meetings Ryan Crocker* had with Iran's leadership.
The book also discusses our "enhanced interrogation" techniques and is openly opposed to those, citing the lack of intelligence gained, so just a heads up if your thoughts on that run counter to the book's.
It goes into great detail about AL Q in Iran and UBL's family. It also states a number of bin Laden relatives and friends blame one of his wives for leaking his location to Iran who in turn informed the US....but Iran continues to harbor many members of the Al Q shura**.
All-in-all I think it is a great book you should pick up. I bought mine via Amazon for my Kindle.
* - Ryan Crocker - Wikipedia
He has served as United States Ambassador to Afghanistan (2011–2012), Iraq (2007–2009), Pakistan (2004–2007), Syria (1998–2001), Kuwait (1994– 1997), and Lebanon (1990–1993).
** - Curiously, the book says the shura opposed the 9/11 attacks and those members are largely the ones still in exile. I don't know if I can buy that story or not, but they make a plausible case for the opposition.
Fuck Pakistan.
My thoughts on that toilet of a country are well known, but that's how this review should start. The book covers Al Qaeda from pre-9/11 through the end of 2016. Simply amazing. The ties AlQ has to Iran are new to me and staggering. The complicit nature of the ISI in protecting Al Qaeda and the TB (especially the TB) is well known, but on display in the book. Did I mention the Al Q/ Iran ties? Unreal. The book alleges that Iran was going to work with the US post-9/111 until the Axis Evil speech, going so far as to discussing meetings Ryan Crocker* had with Iran's leadership.
The book also discusses our "enhanced interrogation" techniques and is openly opposed to those, citing the lack of intelligence gained, so just a heads up if your thoughts on that run counter to the book's.
It goes into great detail about AL Q in Iran and UBL's family. It also states a number of bin Laden relatives and friends blame one of his wives for leaking his location to Iran who in turn informed the US....but Iran continues to harbor many members of the Al Q shura**.
All-in-all I think it is a great book you should pick up. I bought mine via Amazon for my Kindle.
* - Ryan Crocker - Wikipedia
He has served as United States Ambassador to Afghanistan (2011–2012), Iraq (2007–2009), Pakistan (2004–2007), Syria (1998–2001), Kuwait (1994– 1997), and Lebanon (1990–1993).
** - Curiously, the book says the shura opposed the 9/11 attacks and those members are largely the ones still in exile. I don't know if I can buy that story or not, but they make a plausible case for the opposition.