By Bob Woodward
There are few iconic reporters and writers that dive into the inner sanctums of power in this country that are more noteworthy than Bob Woodward. The Watergate revelation that eventually brought down the Nixon administration was a national watermark that most all Americans regret but glad nonetheless, that light was shed upon this dysfunctional administration.
Now Mr. Woodward has penned a documentary reflective of the Obama administration called “Obamas Wars”. In it President Obama at one point said “we can absorb a terrorist attack. We’ll do everything we can to prevent it, but even a 9-11, even the biggest attack ever, we absorbed it and we are stronger.” At this point I would be inclined to ask the President, “Sir, if we can absorb another attack, exactly which Americans and families should bear the brunt of another Islamic attack? Whose family members would it be OK to be killed and murdered? Furthermore, what if the next attack is nuclear? What if a crude device is detonated in L.A. or Washington? This is the reason our generals are determined to end this possibility off shore and deprive Muslim terrorists of assets, training, and resources to pull off such an attack.
President Obama blatantly advocated that the real war was in Afghanistan when President Bush was in office but after gaining the presidency Mr. Obama began a fierce movement within his own military advisors to plan an exit strategy as soon as possible. This was certainly calculated to please the far left of the Democratic Party but Military commanders or the boots on the ground with far more experience in the matter were concerned about failure and the message that would send worldwide.
This book portrays the interplay between President Obama, Generals, and his political advisors who often times appear more as a circular firing squad. Political advice and military rarely square with each other and this administration proves the point again. The President kept pressing for a way out and the Generals wanted an Iraq styled surge and requested 40,000 troops but received 30,000.
There is clearly tension between President Obama and his Generals. General Petraeus informed his staffers that the administration was “expletive” with the wrong guy. It is storied that the Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was tempted to walk out of an oval office meeting after a remark was made by national security advisor Thomas Donilon about a general Gates knew well. Axelrod has been depicted as a “complete spin doctor”.
Woodward opens up many behind the scenes interviews and draws a picture of the Afghan President as a manic depressive and the that the relationship between the US and Pakistan as being contentious for their lack of enthusiasm in striking the Taliban in the far reaches of the country even after massive aid funding from the US.
Almost 700,000 copies of this book are going to printed and the release date is Sept. 27th. You can order your copy from here if you wish. Obama’s Wars.
