Title: Straight-ahead history of modern U.S. counter-terrorism
Product review: This is an excellent compilation of the various U.S. government responses to the threat of terrorism, starting with the end of WWII and continuing up to 9/11. It wins a "5" on timeliness, "4s" on content and writing, down-graded mainly because of puny policy recommendations. It was especially valuable to me in pointing out how vulnerable we are during the periodic interregums, as new Presidents and their minions attempt to put their own stamps on government. It was more valuable pointing out the difficulties successive Presidents and their staffs faced in trying to get authority to conduct the kinds of operations that seem to be necessary to fight terrorist acts. The tension between freedom from government scrutiny and the freedom from terrorism posed insurmountable obstacles before 2001. Finding the appropriate balance remains a key issue for this country.
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