Against All Enemies

Richard A. Clarke, who served as counterterrorism chief under several U.S. presidents, offers a first-hand insider account of America’s response to terrorism before and after September 11, 2001. The book traces how successive administrations handled the growing threat from al-Qaeda, highlighting moments when opportunities to prevent catastrophe were missed.

Clarke argues that while the Clinton administration took terrorism seriously, the incoming Bush administration downplayed al-Qaeda in favor of issues like missile defense and Iraq. He details how, before 9/11, repeated warnings about Osama bin Laden went unheeded, and after the attacks, the White House quickly shifted its focus toward invading Iraq—a decision Clarke criticizes as a distraction from the actual perpetrators.