Intelligence Matters: The CIA, the FBI, Saudi Arabia, and the Failure of America's War on Terror

by Senator Bob Graham

Overview

Shining much-needed light on areas the 9/11 Commission preferred to keep dark, Intelligence Matters chronicles the efforts of a historic joint House-Senate inquiry to get to the bottom of our intelligence failures on that infamous day in 2001. Originally published in 2004 amid the media circus surrounding The 9/11 Commission Report, it told more than a riveting tale—it also provided an unflinching expos of failure, incompetence, and deceit at the highest levels of our government.

The Joint Inquiry, co-chaired by Senator Bob Graham (D-Florida), was the first and arguably most effective government body to investigate the horrendous 2001 attacks. Indeed, it helped compel a reluctant George W. Bush to establish the 9/11 Commission. But while both investigations sharply criticized the failures of our nation's intelligence establishment, only Graham's dared to challenge the Bush administration on a number of troubling points-especially the apparent complicity of Saudi officials in the events of 9/11, the subsequent protection provided by President Bush for a large number of Saudis (including members of the bin Laden family), and the run-up to the Iraq War, which Graham voted against.

The original work combined a compelling narrative of 9/11 with an insightful eyewitness chronicle of the Joint Inquiry's investigation, conclusions, and recommendations. Sharply critiquing the failures at the CIA, FBI, and the White House and detailing at least twelve occasions when the 9/11 plot could have been stopped, it concluded with a clear plan for overhauling our intelligence and national security establishment. For this paperback edition, Graham has added a substantial new preface and postscript that lucidly examine how effectively the nation has responded—or failed to respond—to the Joint Inquiry's recommendations.

This edition restores Intelligence Matters to its rightful place as one of the key texts on the subject of 9/11 and provides a grim reminder of the challenges that remain for us in the war on terror.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780700616268
Publisher:	University Press of Kansas
Publication date:	09/11/2008
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	750,118
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Bob Graham, a former two-term governor of Florida, served from 1987 to 2005 in the United States Senate, including ten years on the Senate Select Intelligence Committee, which he chaired in 2001-2002. He currently leads the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida and University of Miami.

Jeff Nusbaum is a partner in the speechwriting and strategy firm West Wing Writers. Former speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore and Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle, he is coauthor, with James Carville, of Had Enough? A Handbook for Fighting Back.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Paperback Edition

Introduction: The Realities of Today

Part I: Before

1. A Meeting in Malaysia

2. Arrival in America

3. Settled in San Diego

4. Beginning Training

5. A Gathering Storm

6. Hanjour Joins al-Hazmi

7. Teaming Up

8. Terrorists on the Move

9. Final Preparations

10. Zero Hour

Part II: After

11. The Aftermath

12. A Meeting at MacDill

13. The Inquiry Begins

14. Into the Middle East

15. Discoveries in San Diego

16. A “Slam Dunk”?

17. “Blood on Your Hands”

18. Stonewall

19. Final Battles

Conclusion: The Realities of Today

Postscript

Appendix: Lessons Learned

Recommendations of the Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities before and after the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001

Acknowledgments

Notes

Index

About the Authors

Editorial Reviews

A startling, authoritative book that should make you plenty angry. The outgrowth of an investigation your tax dollars paid for, it tells us that the government of Saudi Arabia had a central role in 9/11—and your government covered it up. Wrongly overshadowed by The 9/11 Commission Report, it’s essential reading.”—Anthony Summers, author of Arrogance of Power and Official and Confidential

“Makes for crucial, if disturbing reading and provides lessons that should help us avoid future terrorist attacks and unnecessary wars.”—David M. Barrett, author of The CIA and Congress

From the Publisher