Concentrate On Afghanistan, Not Iraq

Third of 25 excerpts from The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How the War on Terror Turned into a War on American Ideals by Jane Mayer:

The first and only foreign flight to penetrate this unnervingly empty skyscape [following the 9/11 attacks] was a sleek private jet carrying several of America's staunchest and wisest allies, the top tier of the British intelligence services.

. . . Over a catered dinner in a private dining room at the CIA's quarters, the George H.W. Bush Center for Intelligence, in Langley, Virginia, and in follow-up gatherings the next few days, America's closest allies brought a more substantive and pointed message as well, which [George] Tenet did not disclose in his memoir. . . . After an eloquent and emotional toast, and a vow to work together against this new terrorist scourge, [Tony Blair's foreign policy advisor David] Manning told the group, "I hope we can all agree that we should concentrate on Afghanistan, and not launch any attacks against Iraq."

Copyright 2008 by Jane Mayer. All Rights Reserved