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America's Secret War: Inside the hidden worldwide struggle between the United States and its enemies
Dubbed by Barron's as "The Shadow CIA," Stratfor, George Friedman's global intelligence company, is one of the world's most respected private global intelligence firms with an unmatched ability to provide clear perspective on the current geopolitical map. Now, drawing on Stratfor's vast information-gathering network, Friedman delivers the geopolitical story that the mainstream media has been unable to uncover: the startling truth behind America's foreign policy and war effort in Afghanistan, Iraq, and beyond.
In America's Secret War, Friedman identifies the United States' most dangerous enemies, delves into presidential strategies of the last quarter century, and reveals the real reasons behind the attack of September 11 and the Bush administration's motivation for the war in Iraq. Here in eye-opening detail is an insightful picture of today's world that goes far beyond what is reported in the news media.
354 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
83 people are currently reading
1197 people want to read
About the author
George Friedman
48 books632 followersGeorge Friedman is an internationally recognized geopolitical forecaster and strategist on international affairs and the founder and chairman of Geopolitical Futures.
A New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Friedman's most recent book, THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM: America’s Discord, the Coming Crisis of the 2020s, and the Triumph Beyond, published February 25, describes how “the United States periodically reaches a point of crisis in which it appears to be at war with itself, yet after an extended period it reinvents itself, in a form both faithful to its founding and radically different from what it had been.” The decade 2020-2030 is such a period which will bring dramatic upheaval and reshaping of American government, foreign policy, economics, and culture.
His most popular book, The Next 100 Years, is kept alive by the prescience of its predictions. Other best-selling books include Flashpoints: The Emerging Crisis in Europe, The Next Decade, America’s Secret War, The Future of War and The Intelligence Edge. His books have been translated into more than 20 languages. Dr. Friedman has briefed numerous military and government organizations in the United States and overseas and appears regularly as an expert on international affairs, foreign policy and intelligence in major media.
For almost 20 years before resigning in May 2015, Dr. Friedman was CEO and then chairman of Stratfor, a company he founded in 1996. Friedman received his bachelor’s degree from the City College of the City University of New York and holds a doctorate in government from Cornell University.
A New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Friedman's most recent book, THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM: America’s Discord, the Coming Crisis of the 2020s, and the Triumph Beyond, published February 25, describes how “the United States periodically reaches a point of crisis in which it appears to be at war with itself, yet after an extended period it reinvents itself, in a form both faithful to its founding and radically different from what it had been.” The decade 2020-2030 is such a period which will bring dramatic upheaval and reshaping of American government, foreign policy, economics, and culture.
His most popular book, The Next 100 Years, is kept alive by the prescience of its predictions. Other best-selling books include Flashpoints: The Emerging Crisis in Europe, The Next Decade, America’s Secret War, The Future of War and The Intelligence Edge. His books have been translated into more than 20 languages. Dr. Friedman has briefed numerous military and government organizations in the United States and overseas and appears regularly as an expert on international affairs, foreign policy and intelligence in major media.
For almost 20 years before resigning in May 2015, Dr. Friedman was CEO and then chairman of Stratfor, a company he founded in 1996. Friedman received his bachelor’s degree from the City College of the City University of New York and holds a doctorate in government from Cornell University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
October 13, 2021
Highly recommended for any who are interested in the backstory to the current American engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan. Before anyone makes a comment on those wars in general conversation, this should be required reading. Friedman summarizes many complicated issues succinctly and seems to have a good grasp of what those issues actually are. In the end, one does have a better picture of all the moving pieces and how they overlapped to put America in the position to declare a war on terror.
June 10, 2014
I recently finished reading the book, "America's Secret War: Inside the Hidden Worldwide Struggle Between the United States and Its Enemies" by George Friedman. This is a non-fiction book about how George Friedman, founder and chairman of Straftor Forecasting, talks about how many of The United States' past events are all related. He mentions historic events such as 9/11, the Iraq War, and the Afghanistan war. Then he enlightens the reader by telling us about how this all plays into the "Hidden Worldwide Struggle Between United States and Its Enemies."
Straftor is a private intelligence service located in Austin, Texas that show geopolitical analysis and forecasting to big corporations. George Friedman, the founder of Straftor, has hired many analysts around the world. He refers to the War on Terror (Global Was on Terrorism) as the Fourth Global War. Friedman expresses his beliefs about the United States and it's past wars and tells readers his perspective on it all.
Throughout the book, Freidman tells us how he gathers information and predicts the outcomes to worldwide problems with the government and various outside companies. A big part of the book is about Friedman expressing his beliefs on the events that lead up to the Afghanistan War. George Friedman also mentions that the government lacked effort in analyzing 9/11 and the several events leading up to it.
Overall, George Friedman expresses his political views very well and the book shows how he has contributed a lot to the debate on the Global War and terrorism. Many of the points he discusses in the book are rational and he shows how lots of the war and terrorism events in history can be tied together. Even though this book felt a little long and repetitive, it was still an enjoyable book to read.
Straftor is a private intelligence service located in Austin, Texas that show geopolitical analysis and forecasting to big corporations. George Friedman, the founder of Straftor, has hired many analysts around the world. He refers to the War on Terror (Global Was on Terrorism) as the Fourth Global War. Friedman expresses his beliefs about the United States and it's past wars and tells readers his perspective on it all.
Throughout the book, Freidman tells us how he gathers information and predicts the outcomes to worldwide problems with the government and various outside companies. A big part of the book is about Friedman expressing his beliefs on the events that lead up to the Afghanistan War. George Friedman also mentions that the government lacked effort in analyzing 9/11 and the several events leading up to it.
Overall, George Friedman expresses his political views very well and the book shows how he has contributed a lot to the debate on the Global War and terrorism. Many of the points he discusses in the book are rational and he shows how lots of the war and terrorism events in history can be tied together. Even though this book felt a little long and repetitive, it was still an enjoyable book to read.
January 18, 2008
In one fell swoop changed my take on the Iraq thing. In a nutshell -- he argues that the invasion of Iraq was a strategic flanking move aimed at manipulating Saudi Arabia. The strategic thinking behind the U.S. strategy here is way too complex and ruthless to explain or sell to the American people, so instead Bush and crew lied and said it was about WMDs etc.
Friedman says after 9-11 there were just a few options open to us and all involved invading somebody. The cash flow to Al Queda had to be cut off and that could never happen without the cooperation of the MidEast states. Before 9-11 almost none were helping on this (in fact Saudi Arabia was our biggest problem). After invading Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, there are no states in the Mideast that are NOT helping us with al Queda, Friedman contends. Invading Iraq and Afghanistan was about alot of things, but most importantly it was about getting the Saudis and others to fear and respect us. Friedman says do not listen to what the Arab states are SAYING, watch what they are DOING. They all say they hate America, and they do, and they always have, and they always will, but they are doing business with us now. They weren't before Iraq and Afghanistan. BTW -- that is why there is a civil war going on in Saudi Arabia right now -- some resist the new Saudi policy of cooperation.
Friedman thinks the Bush administration (chiefly Rumsfeld and his allies) have badly run the war in Iraq. BUT he argues that its not really about ruling it well, its more about getting Hussein out and about sending a message to the rest of the Mideast. In that way, its a big success.
Friedman is not obviously partisan. His criticisms of Bush partly mirror Kerry's: 1. Bush is botching Iraq; 2. the reasons given for the war were partly lies. BUT he argeus that Kerry's alternative was far worse.
On the WMDs, Friedman argued that it should go without saying that the US and every other intellignce community on Earth believed Saddam had them. There were outlying reports that contradicted that, as there always are in intelligence, but the concensus of every gov't on earth was that he had them. Bush did not lie ABOUT WMDs. What Bush lied about was the real reason for invasion -- getting the Saudis et al on board -- because it was too sinister and complicated to sell to America. Friedman thinks that was a good and necessary lie. The Iraq invasion was necessary an a success, but for none of the reasons focused on by the media.
Sidenotes: 1. Friedman dismissed the notion that the U.S. went in alone. All but 5 of the NATO states supported the action (France, Germany, Belguim, Greece and one other didn't). France had their own reasons for never getting on board under any circumstances.
2. Friedman thinks Bush should be crucified for not firing the CIA and FBI chief brass on Sept. 12, 2001, the way FDR fired intelligence chiefs the day after Pearl Harbor. Friedman thinks Rumsfeld is the most clueless player in the administration.
Friedman says after 9-11 there were just a few options open to us and all involved invading somebody. The cash flow to Al Queda had to be cut off and that could never happen without the cooperation of the MidEast states. Before 9-11 almost none were helping on this (in fact Saudi Arabia was our biggest problem). After invading Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, there are no states in the Mideast that are NOT helping us with al Queda, Friedman contends. Invading Iraq and Afghanistan was about alot of things, but most importantly it was about getting the Saudis and others to fear and respect us. Friedman says do not listen to what the Arab states are SAYING, watch what they are DOING. They all say they hate America, and they do, and they always have, and they always will, but they are doing business with us now. They weren't before Iraq and Afghanistan. BTW -- that is why there is a civil war going on in Saudi Arabia right now -- some resist the new Saudi policy of cooperation.
Friedman thinks the Bush administration (chiefly Rumsfeld and his allies) have badly run the war in Iraq. BUT he argues that its not really about ruling it well, its more about getting Hussein out and about sending a message to the rest of the Mideast. In that way, its a big success.
Friedman is not obviously partisan. His criticisms of Bush partly mirror Kerry's: 1. Bush is botching Iraq; 2. the reasons given for the war were partly lies. BUT he argeus that Kerry's alternative was far worse.
On the WMDs, Friedman argued that it should go without saying that the US and every other intellignce community on Earth believed Saddam had them. There were outlying reports that contradicted that, as there always are in intelligence, but the concensus of every gov't on earth was that he had them. Bush did not lie ABOUT WMDs. What Bush lied about was the real reason for invasion -- getting the Saudis et al on board -- because it was too sinister and complicated to sell to America. Friedman thinks that was a good and necessary lie. The Iraq invasion was necessary an a success, but for none of the reasons focused on by the media.
Sidenotes: 1. Friedman dismissed the notion that the U.S. went in alone. All but 5 of the NATO states supported the action (France, Germany, Belguim, Greece and one other didn't). France had their own reasons for never getting on board under any circumstances.
2. Friedman thinks Bush should be crucified for not firing the CIA and FBI chief brass on Sept. 12, 2001, the way FDR fired intelligence chiefs the day after Pearl Harbor. Friedman thinks Rumsfeld is the most clueless player in the administration.
April 18, 2013
The CIA has been involved in operations against America's enemies since the Cold War with Russia. After the the downgrade in human intelligence sources, the CIA has used the Islamic religion to counter the Russians in the Middle East often training and arming these fighters. When the war against terror became necessary, the CIA became involved again and worked behind the cover of Middle Eastern governments.
October 2, 2014
This book was written in 2004. It offers a full perspective on the United States' and its major ally Saudi Arabia's setting up and assisting the islamic fighting forces in afghanistan, and later on facing the repercussions and the overt and covert operations to counter-fighting these elements a decade later. Very important to understand the conflict
February 13, 2017
Having lived through and served in the military during the course of the book's contents I took special interest in Friedman's view. The author does an excellent job of laying out a methodical and rational account of our strategy and how it unfolded. Being 12 years since the book's publishing also gives one a sense of wonderment of how Friedman would view the decade and possibly the foreseeable future.
January 4, 2010
I enjoyed this book a lot, partly because it appears very non-partisan in its analysis and exposition of the issues and events in the Middle East. It provides a very nuanced look at the players, their strategies, their successes and failures in the struggle for control during a very turbulent time.
May 13, 2013
Excellent international relations insight into the early War on Terror. The title of the book might scare some off, sounding conspiratorial and all but it felt quite unbiased and analytical. It breaks down the interests and decisions of many international actors really well and it was easy to read too.
February 14, 2012
Everyone who every believed what politicians said about the Afghan and Iraq conflicts should read this book, some will find it startling. For the less trusting amongst us it merely confirms just how misguided US foreign policy has been.
March 1, 2021
The book offers the best explanation about why the whole Iraq campaign was undertook. It is incredible in portraying the relationships between the U.S. and Russia in light of the conflict and shows us the root of the present day standoff.
April 9, 2019
This book explains the geopolitics behind the American wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. There is so much insight and behind the scene stories that are completely fascinating. Such a deeper look into how we got into a Middle Eastern war.
January 6, 2020
3.5 rounded up to 4.
Very educational. But I was annoyed by the way the messages was delivered: they are present to the reader, reconfirmed, reiterated, then rubbed in for a good measure; then, a couple of pages later, the author would check in wit the same message again to make sure you’ve learned it by heart by now. Ugggh!
Very educational. But I was annoyed by the way the messages was delivered: they are present to the reader, reconfirmed, reiterated, then rubbed in for a good measure; then, a couple of pages later, the author would check in wit the same message again to make sure you’ve learned it by heart by now. Ugggh!
March 4, 2019
This is a very insightful glimpse into the minds of the Taliban and the strategies used to combat them. It throws a whole new light on the reasoning behind invading Iraq, explaining that though Saudi Arabia was supposedly our ally, it was also the source of funding for the Taliban. In order to gain the cooperation of the Saudis in shutting down this funding, they had to be impressed with the military might and force of will of the US. (The idea of the US being a 'paper tiger' had to be shut down). Hence the invasion of Iraq.
The pretext of WMDs was just that...a pretext. Iraq did have WMDs; it was documented that nerve gas canisters were smuggled into Syria, and Iraq was rewarding the families of suicide bombers with reward money for their sacrifice. So, Iraq was definitely an exporter of terrorism, but this wasn't really the reason for the invasion. It was a show of force.
Later, under interrogation, the captured Hussein would admit that he perpetuated the idea that he possessed WMDs in order to maintain the impression of strength.
Anyhow, a fascinating read that explores the reasoning and motivation behind the many different players in the conflict.
The pretext of WMDs was just that...a pretext. Iraq did have WMDs; it was documented that nerve gas canisters were smuggled into Syria, and Iraq was rewarding the families of suicide bombers with reward money for their sacrifice. So, Iraq was definitely an exporter of terrorism, but this wasn't really the reason for the invasion. It was a show of force.
Later, under interrogation, the captured Hussein would admit that he perpetuated the idea that he possessed WMDs in order to maintain the impression of strength.
Anyhow, a fascinating read that explores the reasoning and motivation behind the many different players in the conflict.
April 26, 2018
This book is Strafor.com's review of the 911 attacks, the War on Terrorism and Gulf War II. I like Stratfor. It seems balanced. They even treated President Bill Clinton well despite his part in failing to kill Bin Ladin when he had the chance. Donald Rumsfeld was criticized in a balanced manner. No one is perfect, and in a war lies must be told. (For some reason people forget that.) Colin Powell's odd behavior in promoting the Second Iraq War was also explained reasonably. Over all I really liked how everything was placed in context without a lot of blaming.
Any problems with the book? I noticed that the author expects the reader to know what the USA did in Kosovo. He also expects the reader to remember the attack on the USS Cole in context, and President Reagan's withdrawal of troops from Lebanon after the bombing. No doubt providing full context for these events would have expanded the book tremendously, so leaving out that context can be forgiven. The author made his point reasonably without them.
I'd read this book again.
Any problems with the book? I noticed that the author expects the reader to know what the USA did in Kosovo. He also expects the reader to remember the attack on the USS Cole in context, and President Reagan's withdrawal of troops from Lebanon after the bombing. No doubt providing full context for these events would have expanded the book tremendously, so leaving out that context can be forgiven. The author made his point reasonably without them.
I'd read this book again.
June 4, 2017
As the war on terror continues, this book is required reading to understand the origin of terrorism. Friedman goes back to early days of terror and the key figures in the movement. Friedman then delivers lucid insight into the development of Al Qaeda and their eventual attack on the United States. The never ending wars and fall of Iraq is described in detail. The author throws in multiple explanations for pivotal war events. The relationship between the USA and the middle east is a checkered past with many problems. You will learn more about why terrorists hate the USA after reading this book.
August 19, 2017
Excellent read! Page 339 from the conclusion is highly insightful. I wish I had known about this book back in 2004. "The weakness of the U.S. is not our soldiers, nor their numbers, but the vast distance that separates American leaders from those who fight...To them, the soldiers are alien, people they have never met and don't understand. When the children of leaders stay home, the leaders think about war in unfortunate ways." And this: "Either the U.S. will withdraw [we did] from the Islamic world, creating a vacuum to be filled by the Caliphate [which they did - ISIS], or Al Qaeda will be crushed and the spirit that gave rise to it will be defeated [it has not been].
August 28, 2014
Analysis of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq post 9-11. Written in 2004, lists the real reasons the U.S. invaded Iraq, and what our government's agenda was. The book does not take partisan sides and points out strategic blunders as well as victories. To have a better understanding of what is going on today in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria this book is essential. Dr.Friedman is the founder of Stratfor a private intelligence company that provides services for global fortune 2000 companies and governments.
February 10, 2016
Explains the history of U.S. intelligence in the Middle East, from the origins of the War on Terror through to the initial invasion of Iraq. Provides very effective analysis of intelligence concerns related to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as well as the roles that intelligence services played in the organization for the invasion of Afghanistan. Interesting, but since it was written in 2003 it seems quite dated. The author's interpretation of the resistance in Iraq - he sees it solely as Baathist rebels and Iran agents - also seems to have been proven wrong with time.
July 25, 2018
This private agency-issued report is much better with deep and detailed analyses than the government-issued Iraq Study Group Report (2007), which I remember was a simple list of visible assessments in formality.
I recommend this book to anyone who's interested in intelligence analysis, and I guarantee your interest in the job will grow much bigger as you finish the last page of this book.
I recommend this book to anyone who's interested in intelligence analysis, and I guarantee your interest in the job will grow much bigger as you finish the last page of this book.
June 11, 2009
a yawner. nothing here that you haven't already read in the newspaper. the bob woodward books were much more interesting. this book read like an chronological outline that the author collapsed into prose with a rotating and repetitive set of transition words. "First...", "Second...", "Additionally...", "However...". I was speed reading by the end.
April 7, 2013
Assuming that the author's sources were correct, he did a superb job changing my perceptions of the United States' involvement with Iraq. Although things got a bit dry at times, Friedman aptly presented a lot of background and historical analysis that was very enjoyable. It is refreshing to approach a subject in a novel way and to (hopefully) gain some insight.
July 21, 2014
Excellent but dated summary of the complex web of strategies that led to the invasion of Iraq. It relieved me of the notion that the Dubya administration were completely crazy for pulling the invasion after all. I had missed the details about the Sunni vs. Shiite Muslim tribes that set the US against house of Saud, and made the Iranians a player again.
October 16, 2008
Good inside intel agency documentary about the lead up to the Iraq War. This is not an anti-war book, nor a hawkish book, just a deeper history of events, with some speculation on the motives of the persons creating the events. Perfect if you want real-world Tom Clancy feel, and no fiction.
May 2, 2012
Great analysis of causes and reasons for the Afganastan and Iraq wars. Great emphasis on fact and analysis rather than value judgements. Endevors to explain what transpired, what it was intended to do and why instead of judging was an action right or wrong moraly.
February 25, 2017
Intriguing inslight on such a heavy topic. Although America's Secret War is based on the events of 9/11, a lot of it can relate to what is STILL happening in the Middle East. I wish I would have read this in 2004 when it was published. The author is quite knowledgeable.
August 20, 2021
Repeats himself ( badly edited ? )
December 2, 2013
It's good to read books from a perspective different from your own.
February 18, 2017
I don't know how I missed this book till now, it's insightful considering it was written in 2004.
May 2, 2018
Very informative and insightful. A must read for anyone interested in geopolitics.
October 9, 2024
Започва обещаващо, за да завърши със своеобразен провал и непредоставени отговори.
Анализът на произхода на Ал-Кайда, атентатите от 9/11, военната, информационната и логистичната подготовка по тях, цялостното им изпълнение, последвалата инвазия в Афганистан и причините за нея, както и политическата ситуация и съществуващите религиозно и сектарианско напрежение вътре в страната беше мащабен, всеобхватен и убедителен. Научих много за Ал-Кайда, методите за водене на война на Щатите в Афганистан, разприте между американските военни и специалните им части и лидерите на отделните таджикски, узбекски, хазарейски и пущунски фракции на афганска територия.
От друга страна, втората част беше доста неубедителна, накъсана и някак направена през пръсти. Докато аргументите за инвазията в Ирак, състоящи се в геополитическата необходимост чрез нея да се постави на колене Саудитска Арабия, отговорна за финансирането на Ал-Кайда, и Иран, целящ по-широко разпространение на влиянието си в региона, бяха логически издържани, поведението на американското командване и военни, така, както бяха описани, доста често не отговаряха на тази доста амбициозна задача и дори открито я възпрепятстваха. Объркаха ме твърденията на автора, според които американците успяват доста безпрепятствено, чрез финансова помощ да установят свои агенти в шиитските територии, като в същото време оправдават неефективната борба с представителите на Ал-Кайда, които изначално имат за цел да унищожат из основи и които хрисимо наричат просто обикновени джихадисти, с отсъствие на достатъчно силна агентура в по-добре познатите сунитски територии на Ирак. Закъснялата с няколко години операция във федерално управляемите племенни територии на Пакистан, в които по начало се знае, че се прикрива Бин Ладен също противоречи на сериозността на заявената цел. Поради тези и други противоречия се усъмних в честността на твърденията на автора относно целите на американците в Ирак. Изглежда, единствено патината на времето евентуално би спомогнала за по-обективни и достоверни анализи на конфликта в тази толкова противоречива и важна в геостратегически план страна.
Анализът на произхода на Ал-Кайда, атентатите от 9/11, военната, информационната и логистичната подготовка по тях, цялостното им изпълнение, последвалата инвазия в Афганистан и причините за нея, както и политическата ситуация и съществуващите религиозно и сектарианско напрежение вътре в страната беше мащабен, всеобхватен и убедителен. Научих много за Ал-Кайда, методите за водене на война на Щатите в Афганистан, разприте между американските военни и специалните им части и лидерите на отделните таджикски, узбекски, хазарейски и пущунски фракции на афганска територия.
От друга страна, втората част беше доста неубедителна, накъсана и някак направена през пръсти. Докато аргументите за инвазията в Ирак, състоящи се в геополитическата необходимост чрез нея да се постави на колене Саудитска Арабия, отговорна за финансирането на Ал-Кайда, и Иран, целящ по-широко разпространение на влиянието си в региона, бяха логически издържани, поведението на американското командване и военни, така, както бяха описани, доста често не отговаряха на тази доста амбициозна задача и дори открито я възпрепятстваха. Объркаха ме твърденията на автора, според които американците успяват доста безпрепятствено, чрез финансова помощ да установят свои агенти в шиитските територии, като в същото време оправдават неефективната борба с представителите на Ал-Кайда, които изначално имат за цел да унищожат из основи и които хрисимо наричат просто обикновени джихадисти, с отсъствие на достатъчно силна агентура в по-добре познатите сунитски територии на Ирак. Закъснялата с няколко години операция във федерално управляемите племенни територии на Пакистан, в които по начало се знае, че се прикрива Бин Ладен също противоречи на сериозността на заявената цел. Поради тези и други противоречия се усъмних в честността на твърденията на автора относно целите на американците в Ирак. Изглежда, единствено патината на времето евентуално би спомогнала за по-обективни и достоверни анализи на конфликта в тази толкова противоречива и важна в геостратегически план страна.
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