"The War Within": Woodward on the Surge

[Uncle Fester]

Ordinarily, I don't have much use for Bob Woodward - always seemed to me to be trying to top Watergate, and too little appreciation for the psychology of decision-making - but this series in the WP, leading up to a book by the same name, has been very interesting.

Anybody else read it? Thoughts?

Part 1: Doubt, Distrust, Delay

Part 2: Military Chiefs Outmaneuvered

Part 3: "You're Not Accountable, Jack."

 

[Dirty]

Takes a little digesting, but a good read and listen on how the cream makes the butter... Makes me want to play a game of chess in my best Stephen Hawkins voice. Funny about Al-Makini "Well he sure knows now"... Gots to love the media. Our CINC is nobody's fool and history will tell a different story than CNN...

 

[squorch2]

Our CINC may not have the Harvard education

Uhhh...

 

[Flash]

Ordinarily, I don't have much use for Bob Woodward - always seemed to me to be trying to top Watergate, and too little appreciation for the psychology of decision-making - but this series in the WP, leading up to a book by the same name, has been very interesting.

It is largely because of Watergate that he is able to write books like these. He has remarkable access to those in power, including the President, and can get a lot out of people. His politics aside, his last few books about this Presidency have even garnered criticism from some for not being tough enough on the current Administration. This book will probably be the closest to a real history of the events it describes for quite a while.

 

[Mumbles]

Was this not the same synopsis that was on the Early Bird yesterday??

 

[nittany03]

After having read that, a comparison between government and making sausages comes to mind . . .

 

[2sr2worry]

Another former Navy officer who's done well in society. And as mentioned earlier, a guy with incredible access to those in power whose vanity often overwhelms their discretion.

 

[Uncle Fester]

I just ordered the book off Amazon. Probably read it over the weekend and post a synopsis.

From what I've read here, especially part 3 of this series, it looks like a fairly good "first draft of history" read. I've always said I'll be interested to see what the Iraq War history will pan out to be once we get some distance from it. Once people stop grinding axes and pushing agendas and start actually digging into the decision-making.

Also kinda confirms the suspicion I had that the media- and Democrat-driven popular caricature of the President wouldn't turn out to be nearly correct.

The depiction of the President's interaction with the JCS and Gen Petraeus reminded me of what Lincoln said when people around him (including Mrs Lincoln) were urging him to fire Grant. "I can't spare this man...he fights."

 

[utak]

There was also a recent CNN article in which Bob Woodward talks about a new "project" that the US have been using against our enemies, which he describes is the modern day Manhattan Project.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/09/09/iraq.secret/index.html

Perhaps we have nunchuk toting secret squirrels running around?

 

[JKD]

I've only read two out of the four posted articles but they seem like they convey the personal opinions of the sources. You can tell from the fourth article today that Satterfield doesn't like Pres. Bush (at least not briefing him). My concern is the information provided "on background" will not cite the source and will give opinions and not always facts.

No argument on the level of access Woodward has, but the information is only as good as the source (and in places where he uses single sources for a topic/subject it could convey a highly slanted view). With the number of sources, one section could be spot on, and could flow into another section with less accuracy. Just something to consider when reading.

 

[Zissou]

He knows very specific things about a particular project that leads me to believe an organization WANTED him to speak of it. He knows too many of the moving parts to not leave a trail directly to his source.

Some people feel Gen. P is receiving too much credit for the castration of AQM, it seems they want the world to know how much "good timing" has to do with success coming along with the surge.

They're going to ruin a very good thing if they keep running their mouths.

 

[voodooqueen]

It is largely because of Watergate that he is able to write books like these. He has remarkable access to those in power, including the President, and can get a lot out of people. His politics aside, his last few books about this Presidency have even garnered criticism from some for not being tough enough on the current Administration. This book will probably be the closest to a real history of the events it describes for quite a while.

Yes indeed--people trust Woodward to tell the truth and sources trust him to protect them; journalists don't get more credible than that.

 

[Flash]

He knows very specific things about a particular project that leads me to believe an organization WANTED him to speak of it. He knows too many of the moving parts to not leave a trail directly to his source.

Some people feel Gen. P is receiving too much credit for the castration of AQM, it seems they want the world to know how much "good timing" has to do with success coming along with the surge.

They're going to ruin a very good thing if they keep running their mouths.

Therein lies the rub of most leaks, it is not done by people out to get the ones in power......it is more often the ones in power who do the leaking.

Woodward was smart not to divulge too many details of the program, he wants to keep the info coming.

 

[Pugs]

They're going to ruin a very good thing if they keep running their mouths.

Exactly. There are things in that book where the names are not right and the full capability is not explained but clearly there was access given or someone talked that shouldn't have. It's making some people pretty upset on my glass cube on the Patuxent.

 

[eddie]

Interesting reads.