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Backstabbing for Beginners: My Crash Course in International Diplomacy
Soon to be a major motion picture starring Ben Kingsley and Theo James, the gripping true story of a young program coordinator at the United Nations who stumbles upon a conspiracy involving Iraq's oil reserves.
"What made this episode in our collective history possible was not so much the lies we told one another, but the lies we told ourselves."
A recent Brown University graduate, Michael Soussan was elated when he landed a position as a program coordinator for the United Nations' Iraq Program. Little did he know that he would end up a whistleblower in what PBS NewsHour described as the "largest financial scandal in UN history."
Breaking a conspiracy of silence that had prevailed for years, Soussan sparked an unprecedented corruption probe into the Oil-for-Food program that exposed a worldwide system of bribes, kickbacks, and blackmail involving ruthless power-players from around the globe.
At the crossroads of pressing humanitarian concerns, crisis diplomacy, and multibillion-dollar business interests, Soussan's story highlights core flaws of our international system and exposes the frightening, corrupting power of the black elixir that fuels our world's economy.
"What made this episode in our collective history possible was not so much the lies we told one another, but the lies we told ourselves."
A recent Brown University graduate, Michael Soussan was elated when he landed a position as a program coordinator for the United Nations' Iraq Program. Little did he know that he would end up a whistleblower in what PBS NewsHour described as the "largest financial scandal in UN history."
Breaking a conspiracy of silence that had prevailed for years, Soussan sparked an unprecedented corruption probe into the Oil-for-Food program that exposed a worldwide system of bribes, kickbacks, and blackmail involving ruthless power-players from around the globe.
At the crossroads of pressing humanitarian concerns, crisis diplomacy, and multibillion-dollar business interests, Soussan's story highlights core flaws of our international system and exposes the frightening, corrupting power of the black elixir that fuels our world's economy.
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 62 reviews
December 19, 2013
Michael Soussan joined the UN as an idealistic young man at the age of 24 on the newly created Oil-for-Food program, which was intended to use Iraqi oil money to buy essential supplies for the country's population at the time of crippling sanctions against Saddam Hussein's dictatorial regime.
Throughout his time at the UN, he discovered gross incompetence, often emerging as a result of an organisational culture in which people were in such fierce competition against each other that they were completely incapable of working together effectively. This, allied with a striking lack of accountability generated by bureaucrats who were always passing the responsibility for decisions onto someone else, created a situation in which it would be extremely difficult for the UN to manage to Oil-for-Food program effectively.
The UN's role, in essence, was supposed to be to make sure Saddam Hussein and his cronies were unable to manipulate for their own gain the program's goal of alleviating the suffering of the Iraqi people. But the incompetence described above eventually became combined with such systematic corruption that the Oil-for-Food program effectively negated the effect of the UN Security Council's sanctions on Iraq.
One way the Iraqi government bought support was by allocating oil, sometimes millions of barrels, to people who were allowed to sell it on the market at personal profit. Hussein's regime also systematically overpaid for goods (by between 10 and 30%) imported under the program in return for some of this 'surcharge' being refunded to the Iraqi leadership itself. Through these two methods, Saddam Hussein bought support in order to strengthen the anti-sanctions lobby and divide the international community, as well as enriching himself personally, using the money illegally to upgrade his palaces and buy arms.
The invasion of Iraq brought documents to light that showed literally thousands of companies had paid kickbacks to the Iraqi government. It was found that Saddam Hussein had profited by over $10 billion from the Oil-for-Food program. It was revealed that the countries most vehemently against the sanctions and the subsequent invasion of Iraq (France and Russia) were profiting the most from the corruption. The head of the Oil-for-Food program himself was found to have accepted bribes. The author even takes aim at the big boss himself, Kofi Annan, who Soussan argues prioritised protecting himself right from the start by distancing himself as far as possible from the running of the program.
To read of such a high-minded organisation operating so dysfunctionally, so far from its lofty ideals, was shocking and deeply saddening. Despite this, the book was not without humour, especially in the caricatures - we can only hope they were caricatures - the author paints of his colleagues at the UN, a bunch of paranoid individuals each constantly trying to stab everyone else in the back to gain some traction in their ongoing turf wars.
Reading about the incompetence of the UN, the abuses of Saddam Hussein, and the often-less-than-principled anti-war lobbying (often funded by Saddam himself) taking place in the run up to the invasion of Iraq caused me for the first time to re-evaluate my opinions on the war itself and of its chief sponsors, George W Bush and Tony Blair. I never imagined this would happen.
I couldn't put this book down. I read until 2am, then got up the next morning and continued reading over a coffee before going to work. Possibly the best thing I've read all year. Fantastic.
Throughout his time at the UN, he discovered gross incompetence, often emerging as a result of an organisational culture in which people were in such fierce competition against each other that they were completely incapable of working together effectively. This, allied with a striking lack of accountability generated by bureaucrats who were always passing the responsibility for decisions onto someone else, created a situation in which it would be extremely difficult for the UN to manage to Oil-for-Food program effectively.
The UN's role, in essence, was supposed to be to make sure Saddam Hussein and his cronies were unable to manipulate for their own gain the program's goal of alleviating the suffering of the Iraqi people. But the incompetence described above eventually became combined with such systematic corruption that the Oil-for-Food program effectively negated the effect of the UN Security Council's sanctions on Iraq.
One way the Iraqi government bought support was by allocating oil, sometimes millions of barrels, to people who were allowed to sell it on the market at personal profit. Hussein's regime also systematically overpaid for goods (by between 10 and 30%) imported under the program in return for some of this 'surcharge' being refunded to the Iraqi leadership itself. Through these two methods, Saddam Hussein bought support in order to strengthen the anti-sanctions lobby and divide the international community, as well as enriching himself personally, using the money illegally to upgrade his palaces and buy arms.
The invasion of Iraq brought documents to light that showed literally thousands of companies had paid kickbacks to the Iraqi government. It was found that Saddam Hussein had profited by over $10 billion from the Oil-for-Food program. It was revealed that the countries most vehemently against the sanctions and the subsequent invasion of Iraq (France and Russia) were profiting the most from the corruption. The head of the Oil-for-Food program himself was found to have accepted bribes. The author even takes aim at the big boss himself, Kofi Annan, who Soussan argues prioritised protecting himself right from the start by distancing himself as far as possible from the running of the program.
To read of such a high-minded organisation operating so dysfunctionally, so far from its lofty ideals, was shocking and deeply saddening. Despite this, the book was not without humour, especially in the caricatures - we can only hope they were caricatures - the author paints of his colleagues at the UN, a bunch of paranoid individuals each constantly trying to stab everyone else in the back to gain some traction in their ongoing turf wars.
Reading about the incompetence of the UN, the abuses of Saddam Hussein, and the often-less-than-principled anti-war lobbying (often funded by Saddam himself) taking place in the run up to the invasion of Iraq caused me for the first time to re-evaluate my opinions on the war itself and of its chief sponsors, George W Bush and Tony Blair. I never imagined this would happen.
I couldn't put this book down. I read until 2am, then got up the next morning and continued reading over a coffee before going to work. Possibly the best thing I've read all year. Fantastic.
April 23, 2018
If you are interested in international diplomacy; this is the book to start with.; A powerful story of diplomacy behind the scenes. If you think or want to join the UN, this is the book to understand how to survive in the male-dominating place of work. The book is an insightful exposé, spiked with outraged wit. It’s a very educational book that will have you staying up late to finish it. A good read that should be read with another book that was published amidst great controversy: Emergency Sex and other desperate measures. Another book that has shaken the UN and made headlines around the world. "Goodread"
August 10, 2022
Michael Soussan's memoir of his time as UN Oil for Food Programme Coordinator is all at once informative, provocative, witty, intelligent, and poignant. Far from your ordinary historical review, Mr. Soussan paints a detailed and engaging insider’s picture of what was going on within the iconic international organization, complete with a description of the specific contents of Benan Sevan’s office and a cast of nicknamed characters (including “Spooky,” “Smiley Face,” and his own – “The Kid”). In addition, Mr. Soussan demonstrates a strong grasp of the conflicting international interests and current affairs at the time.
Insofar as this book also serves as a “coming-of-age” piece, again, the author manages to accomplish much more, describing a young man, naïve and hopeful, who was convinced he was going to make a difference – and he does, just not at all in the way he ever imagined. Mr. Soussan’s writing is clever and will have you laughing out loud as you relate to some of the many mistakes he made in his younger days and gape at others you never would imagine happening to yourself (like nearly kissing your life goodbye as you pee in a mine-laden wasteland). At the same time, the book includes some very sobering scenes, and you will be engrossed in the tragedy Mr. Soussan aptly describes. The overall message of the book is powerful, reminding us to never forget our ability to achieve a greater good no matter what the odds.
Insofar as this book also serves as a “coming-of-age” piece, again, the author manages to accomplish much more, describing a young man, naïve and hopeful, who was convinced he was going to make a difference – and he does, just not at all in the way he ever imagined. Mr. Soussan’s writing is clever and will have you laughing out loud as you relate to some of the many mistakes he made in his younger days and gape at others you never would imagine happening to yourself (like nearly kissing your life goodbye as you pee in a mine-laden wasteland). At the same time, the book includes some very sobering scenes, and you will be engrossed in the tragedy Mr. Soussan aptly describes. The overall message of the book is powerful, reminding us to never forget our ability to achieve a greater good no matter what the odds.
January 13, 2013
As an international technocrat, I was really looking forward to this but it's more about him than the culture of sanitizing mistakes and nepotism that the title suggests. Didn't finish it.
June 16, 2018
This was a good look at the numerous faults of the Oil for Food program and how it was a key factor in sustaining Sadam's power for years. It is an interesting yet disturbing deep dive into the levels of political slights that individuals would go to even when they themselves find ways to shirk their responsibility and the law.
January 18, 2021
Boy was I ignorant of all the dealings going on in the Oil for Food program. This book exposed the corruption of Western diplomats and businessmen who gladly hurt Iraqi civilians for a piece of Saddam’s pie. The start of this expose reads like TinkerTailor Soldier Spy if Frank McCourt had written it! Yes it was that hilarious!
Soussan did all of us a favor in pressuring the UN to investigate its own corruption. Yet in the end the usual suspects blamed one man as the worst culprit instead of pursuing the big players. Soussan looks back at clues of his director’s corruption, but like all the others in the office, was too put off by this man’s aggressive bullying to investigate. Instead, as is usual in a lot of evil doings, no one believed a humanitarian could be capable of wrongdoing.
This book has inspired me to read more about Iraq and diplomacy! Can’t wait to see the movie!
Soussan did all of us a favor in pressuring the UN to investigate its own corruption. Yet in the end the usual suspects blamed one man as the worst culprit instead of pursuing the big players. Soussan looks back at clues of his director’s corruption, but like all the others in the office, was too put off by this man’s aggressive bullying to investigate. Instead, as is usual in a lot of evil doings, no one believed a humanitarian could be capable of wrongdoing.
This book has inspired me to read more about Iraq and diplomacy! Can’t wait to see the movie!
September 2, 2009
The writing is standard journalese, not bad, but annoyingly repetitive. The book could have been a lot shorter and faster-moving if somebody had edited out his numerous re-summarizations of the same points. Yes, the UN was hampered by conflicting goals and incentives in general and in the administration of the Oil-for-Food program in particular; yes, the UN is a hotbed of jostling for position and backstabbing; yes, there's no accountability within or without the organization; got it; move on to the particulars.
Nevertheless, this behind-the-scenes story of the scandal, written by a guy who was intimately involved in its administration, makes for interesting reading. It certainly has confirmed my low opinion of the United Nations.
Nevertheless, this behind-the-scenes story of the scandal, written by a guy who was intimately involved in its administration, makes for interesting reading. It certainly has confirmed my low opinion of the United Nations.
January 4, 2015
No one at the United Nations wanted to stick his neck out and blow the whistle on the corruption. Most of the employees simply wanted to keep their jobs and not make waves. Unlike in the United States, there are no protections at the UN for whistleblowers. The members of the Security Council, including not only France, and Russia, but also the UK and US, made little effort to supervise the United Nation's Oil-for-Food program. And the UN needed supervision, because it had never administered such a huge program before. Also, the UN was not designed to administer large programs; it was designed to aid diplomacy. The author is quite an amusing writer. Highly recommended.
December 13, 2010
An insider's blow-by-blow account of the Iraq-UN Oil-for-Food debacle told with passion and panache. Michael Soussan maintains a fair dose of idealism while learning about the dirty world of international diplomacy. He lays the blame equally at most players: the UN secretariat and the Security Council, member states and greedy contractors and, of course, Saddam's Iraq. If nobody comes off completely clean, Soussan also has understanding for the humans who fail in their duties and their moral judgment in varying doses. All in all, a very balanced and well told tale.
September 7, 2017
I think UN staffers should give this book to anyone who asks these questions we all get from people outside of the machine. Questions like "Don't they understand...?" "How can anyone think that could possibly work?" and the like.
For non-UN people, this will be a sickening tour through one of the most bizarre systems since Soviet times, for UN people, it's a laugh out loud funny examination of the workings of the this strange secret society. I laughed out loud so many times, thinking I know that kind of thing, or I've felt that way, or I've seen this tactic in action.
For non-UN people, this will be a sickening tour through one of the most bizarre systems since Soviet times, for UN people, it's a laugh out loud funny examination of the workings of the this strange secret society. I laughed out loud so many times, thinking I know that kind of thing, or I've felt that way, or I've seen this tactic in action.
December 15, 2020
I am one of those people who wonders why the US continues to support the UN with huge amounts of money and diplomatic immunity for the many US haters who reside there. Let one of them build a UN headquarters in their country. This book is an excellent read, and ought to be required reading for all the idealists and empty headed millennials currently enrolled in so many left leaning US colleges and universities. To me, the UN is almost entirely corrupt and worthless, as this sometimes repetitive book will attest.
September 2, 2023
A memoir that's more about life inside the UN bureaucracy than anything sensational. Large sections explain how fighting within the bureaucracy over petty objectives distracted the UN from accomplishing much of anything, how their reliance on the host country turned many UN officials into mouth pieces for Iraqi propaganda and the difficulty of accomplishing even the most common sense initiatives. Soussan reveals these realities without losing a sense of humor. The book is worth reading more for understanding the UN than Oil for Food or Iraq but definitely recommended.
August 8, 2018
Accurate depiction of the international development industry. Simultaneously made me wish I had read it earlier so I could have avoided my career, and so I could have used the tips to further my career... but had I read it earlier I would not have understood any of it. That’s the true genius of this book, in portraying something that sucked our souls dry, but that we would do over and over again, each time not understanding the danger until the end.
January 15, 2024
I once read a blog post by Matt Yglasias about infighting in political action organizations that habitually undermine initiative. Based on Backstabbing for Beginners, the UN is the archetype of such an organization. I hope, for all the peace and love on Earth, that reforms have been made. I'd bet the negative.
This book is really important. It's a reminder to stay skeptical and to never buy-in to a single side's bullshit.
10/10
This book is really important. It's a reminder to stay skeptical and to never buy-in to a single side's bullshit.
10/10
June 29, 2025
This book broke my heart when I first read it all those years ago. I was quite naive going in, just like the author Soussan claims he was when he was first hired to join the UN Oil-for-Food Programme. Subject matter aside, it's engagingly written and jam-packed with anecdotes bordering on the surreal. It also persuaded me that I would neither do well in this sort of high-stakes humanitarian diplomacy career path nor want to pursue it.
January 25, 2019
Michael Soussan's book made for a great perspective shift. Given that the Oil for Food program was part of my early childhood, I wasn't yet old enough to truly understand the scandal. Soussan's book provided a truly intriguing perspective into life at the United Nations, diplomatic relations and general workplace (mis)conduct.
July 11, 2018
I grew up with the war in Iraq so, now that I'm an adult, it was really helpful to read about a side that I hadn't been as aware of. The whole situation makes you feel so frustrated but it's necessary to learn about to try to avoid. Very interesting and approachable
May 28, 2023
I wish I didn’t believe this story of incompetence and bad faith but it really just looks exactly like my own workplaces. I do wonder if Soussan is deliberately playing up his own image as genuinely totally ignorant - why include the epilogue note about him encountering the term “deaf and dumb”?
March 16, 2017
Very interesting read.
April 3, 2018
Hørt som lydbog via Mofibo. En morsom og tragisk historie om Magtkampe i FN. Lidt ligesom House of Cards.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 62 reviews