Ali H. Soufan

Much better than Soufan's previous Black Banners book, Anatomy of Terror is broader, less biography and more analytical, offering a perspective on post-Bin Laden terrorism, recounting, analyzing, and solutions-proposing on a particular type of Sunni "Islamist terrorism" that he zooms in on, what he calls global Salafi jihadism. While I continue to disagree with the US approach to analysis and policy on terrorism, I do appreciate Soufan at least mentioning (though not discussing) the truths that (1) the popular-and-influential-in-America Muslim Brotherhood and related Hamas is/are Islamist and that (2) Khorasan is at least more than a historical place to Islamists (unfortunately, Soufan calls jihadist use of the word symbolic, when actually it's more of a prophetic call to action, but it's an improvement over almost all analysts' treatments of it anyway). Soufan tells his story through a handful of influential jihadists, fittingly letting readers get to know these individuals a bit since in the end one of his "solutions" is empathy, i.e. seeing thru enemy eyes, thus knowing them enough to anticipate their next moves. This is ridiculous. In today's internet of algorithms including those based on contacts, it's not finding jihadists and talking with them for understanding that's hard, it's avoiding them that's hard! Forget the empathy! -- (1) you could be data tagged, sentiment tagged, placed on lists, and before you know it you could be misrepresented as aiding and abetting and some sorts of "preventive" actions taken. No, this "solution" of Soufan's definitely would have provided great HUMANINT in the past, not worth it now -- especially since our intelligence agencies would misuse the intel anyway, since again, our counterterrorism approach stinks. Soufan's other big "solution" is creation of new narratives for terrorist rehabilitation. The main problem is that it is based on false assumption that the terrorists don't believe the theology behind their jihad beliefs (Soufan argues sin by jihadists means they don't really believe the theology, I disagree, it just shows that like other humans, jihadists sin), and Soufan suggests bankrolling the schools and teacher training! Finally Soufan says allow for time for institutions to be built and so on -- uh no, delay in this case only allows the folks preparing to march for Khorasan to be better prepared with well connected and funded alliances. He completely ignores the role of the Muslim Brotherhood and (whether in positions of leadership in the US or behind the scenes), and so this just ensures the US will stay on the same track with counterterrorism policy, keeping the populace in the dark while our country deceptively receives a bit of a breather from terrorism in country, while actually enabling global terrorism of the highest order (case in point, the synergistic effect of our Israel and Afghanistan policies).… (meer)

I think the main points he's trying to make would have been better served by a focus on just a few people. Dry and resembling a textbook at times, I had a hard time keeping track of all the different personalities involved - especially given my ignorance of Middle Eastern names. Nevertheless, the book is a scholarly treatment of a very complicated situation that grips the world regionally, but also internationally. The best parts of the book detail the personal lives of the jihadists and Soufan does a good job of defining the differences between the various sects, how they are splintered and often at odds with each other. Timely, though perhaps a bit outdated today, the book is a vital addition to books like Wright's _The Looming Tower_ and Ackerman's _Reign of Terror_. The fact that Soufan presents us with some good advice on how to deal with terrorists, makes the book worthwhile.… (meer)

Would I call the book exciting? Not exactly. Exasperating? Often, due to a combination of many CIA imposed redactions in the later chapters of the book, and partly due to being reminded of how poorly the "war on terror" was handled in its early phases. But if you asked if the book was informative, interesting, and well worth the read, the answer is absolutely!

The author, Ali Soufan, is a native Arabic speaker who spent eight years as an FBI special agent, from the time just before 9/11 and through the period of the most significant battles against Al Qaeda. Soufan seemed to be something of a legend within the FBI because of his interrogation skills and insights into Arab culture, and now that he's left the FBI, can tell his stories from this most important timeframe.

Soufan's account has been called the most detailed to date by an insider concerning the American investigations of Al Qaeda and the major attacks that the group carried out, including bombings of American Embassies in East Africa, the U.S. Navy destroyer U.S.S. Cole, as well as the Sept. 11 attacks. It's unfortunate that the Central Intelligence Agency required significant redactions to several chapters in the book, especially since many of the redacted passaged are currently in the pubic record. Yet the redactions are not exactly surprising since the Agency leadership and lack of cooperation with the CIA is a frequent target of Mr. Soufan in this book.

Initially, I had my doubts that I'd be able to keep the seemingly endless list of incomprehensible names, places, and descriptions straight in my mind, but that was a needless concern. Soufan ably presents clear and impressive descriptions of the FBI's investigative efforts in identifying those responsible for the terrorist attacks against our country. One can't help but feel proud of the skill and dedication of the Agents performing these important tasks.

On the other hand, once can't help being angry to hear about how rules put in place by bureaucrats in the intelligence agencies prevented cooperation between the FBI and CIA, and hearing how had those barriers not been in place, several of those successful attacks against our country may have been prevented. Also infuriating was hearing of how senior members of the Administration pressured the FBI to draw conclusions to support ideological positions despite facts to the contrary. Equally disturbing was hearing Soufan's very believable descriptions of how senior administration officials and certain CIA officials distorted and inflated the effectiveness of "enhanced interrogation techniques". Soufan's first-person account of his successful interrogations of Al Qaeda and terrorist suspects using professional and skillful techniques vs. "enhanced techniques" is very believable. Many have claimed that waterboarding and enhanced techniques just don't work, and Mr. Soufan makes the case that the FBI tried and true techniques produce results without undermining our principles or breaking our laws.

I had considered myself fairly well informed about the fight against Al Qaeda and terrorism over the past ten years, but found there was much I didn't know once I started reading this book. Despite the interruptions to the flow of the narrative caused by the redactions, I found this a book well worth reading.… (meer)