In '' Circle in the Sand '' , Alfonsi examines the links between the two Bush presidencies and the wars in Iraq during their respective presidencies . He writes about the decision-making process that led to the Gulf War ( 1990 – 91 ) and its relation to the 2003 Iraq War . Alfonsi argues that the 2003 invasion of Iraq by George W. Bush 's administration was a direct reaction to his father 's mistake in leaving Hussein in power , and that the September 11 attacks were an indirect result of not overthrowing Hussein . He dissects how dissimilar the two Bush administrations were , both in style and strategy . In the book , Alfonsi drew on interviews with officials including President George H.W. Bush , Vice President Dick Cheney , Secretary of Defense Robert Gates , Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger , White House Chief of Staff John Sununu , and National Security Advisers Anthony Lake and Brent Scowcroft
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Christian Alfonsi