Michael Scheuer

Though U.S. leaders try to convince the world of their success in fighting al Qaeda, one member of the U.S. intelligence community would like to inform the public that we are, in fact, losing the war on terror. Further, until U.S. leaders recognize the errant path they have irresponsibly chosen, he says, our enemies will only grow stronger.According to the author Michael Scheuer, the greatest danger for Americans confronting the Islamist threat is to believe—at the urging of U.S. leaders—that Muslims attack us for what we are and what we think rather than for what we do. Blustering political rhetoric “informs” the public that the Islamists are offended by the Western world’s democratic freedoms, civil liberties, inter-mingling of genders, and separation of church and state. However, although aspects of the modern world may offend conservative Muslims, no Islamist leader has fomented jihad to destroy participatory democracy, for example, the national association of credit unions, or coed universities. Instead, a growing segment of the Islamic world strenuously disapproves of specific U.S. policies and their attendant military, political, and economic implications.Capitalizing on growing anti-U.S. animosity, Osama bin Laden’s genius lies not simply in calling for jihad, but in articulating a consistent and convincing case that Islam is under attack by America. Al Qaeda’s public statements condemn America’s protection of corrupt Muslim regimes, unqualified support for Israel, the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, and a further litany of real-world grievances. Bin Laden’s supporters thus identify their problem and believe their solution lies in war. Scheuer contends they will go to any length, not to destroy our secular, democratic way of life, but to deter what they view as specific attacks on their lands, their communities, and their religion. Unless U.S. leaders recognize this fact and adjust their policies abroad accordingly, even moderate Muslims will join the bin Laden camp.

All Americans must read this book in order to truly understand the reasons why radical Muslims like Osama bin Laden and his followers have declared war on America and the West. Furthermore, only this book accurately describes the severity of the threat they will continue to pose, with or without bin Laden’s leadership, to our national security.To win the war against terrorism, the author argues that we must first stop dismissing militant Muslims as “extremists” or “religious fanatics.” Formulating a successful military strategy requires that we must see the enemy as they perceive themselves―highly trained and motivated soldiers who fervently believe their cause is righteous. The author describes how militants throughout the Islamic world are enraged by what they believe is Western aggression against their people, religion, and culture. Though bin Laden declared war on America years ago―not once but twice―the author argues that American complacence in the face of such violent threats stems from the increasing secularization and moral relativism of American society and culture. Even if bin Laden is brought to justice, the author warns, the dangers posed by radical Islamic militants will not disappear, and we must be prepared for a protracted war against terrorism. This important book will make a major impact on how America thinks about its enemy and itself.

9/11 almost instantaneously remade American politics and foreign policy. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Patriot Act, water boarding and Guantanamo are examples of its profound and far-reaching effects. But despite its monumental impact--and a deluge of books about al-Qaeda and Islamist terrorism--no one has written a serious assessment of the man who planned it, Osama bin Laden. Available biographies depict bin Laden as an historical figure, the mastermind behind 9/11, but no longer relevant to the world it created. These accounts, Michael Scheuer strongly believes, have contributed to a widespread and dangerous denial of his continuing significance and power.In this book, Scheuer provides a much-needed corrective--a hard-headed, closely reasoned portrait of bin Laden, showing him to be a figure of remarkable leadership skills, strategic genius, and considerable rhetorical abilities. The first head of the CIA's bin Laden Unit, where he led the effort to track down bin Laden, Scheuer draws from a wealth of information about bin Laden and his evolution from peaceful Saudi dissident to America's Most Wanted. Shedding light on his development as a theologian, media manipulator, and paramilitary commander, Scheuer makes use of all the speeches and interviews bin Laden has given as well as lengthy interviews, testimony, and previously untranslated documents written by those who grew up with bin Laden in Saudi Arabia, served as his bodyguards and drivers, and fought alongside him against the Soviets. The bin Laden who emerges from these accounts is devout, talented, patient, and ruthless; in other words, a truly formidable and implacable enemyof the West.Acclaim for Imperial Hubris: Why the West is Losing the War on Terrorism"Pulls few punches...a fascinating window on America's war with Al Qaeda."--Michiko Kakutani, New York Times"No serious observer of the war on terrorism can ignore this scathing critique."--Peter Bergen, author of Holy War, Inc."A powerful, persuasive analysis of the terrorist threat and the Bush administration's failed efforts to fight it."--Richard A. Clarke, Washington Post Book World"A fire-breathing denunciation of U.S. counterterrorism policy."--Julian Borger, The Guardian"Presents overwhelmingly persuasive evidence to buttress a host of significant and controversial arguments."--Benjamin Schwarz, Atlantic Monthly"Destined to become a classic in the field of counterterrorism analysis."--Bruce Hoffman, author of Inside Terrorism

A veteran CIA counter-terrorism analyst provides a sobering analysis of the U.S. Iraqi War policy while making unsettling predictions about how American security will be affected by the conflict, in a report that reveals how America's foreign policy is undermining key national goals and rendering the country vulnerable to terrorism. 200,000 first printing.

Finalmente em Portugal, o bestseller que nos revela tudo o que não ouvimos nos telejornais. Escrito pelo chefe da unidade anti-bin Laden da CIA sob o pseudónimo de «Anónimo», o livro suscitou a maior polémica nos Estados Unidos, colhendo rasgados elogios e críticas contundentes por parte de todo o espectro político da sociedade americana. Atingindo os tops de vendas em todos os países onde foi publicado, Orgulho Imperial é fruto das quase duas décadas de experiência do autor no combate ao terrorismo. Um livro verdadeiramente imprescindível, que aborda uma das grandes questões da actualidade de forma incisiva e imparcial, ignorando o politicamente correcto das versões oficiais. Apesar de as autoridades americanas tentarem convencer o mundo de que o seu combate à al-Qaeda tem sido um sucesso, Michael Scheuer argumenta precisamente o contrá os Estados Unidos e o Ocidente estão a perder a guerra contra o terrorismo. Segundo o autor, a América não conseguirá combater eficazmente a ameaça do terror enquanto continuar a acreditar, influenciada pelos seus líderes, que os islamistas radicais odeiam a civilização ocidental - a democracia, a separação entre Igreja e Estado ou as suas liberdades e garantias. A verdade, é que nunca nenhum líder islâmico apelou à guerra santa contra o sindicalismo, a emancipação da mulher ou o ensino misto. O que se passa, é que um segmento cada vez maior do mundo islâmico opõe-se vivamente a algumas políticas dos Estados Unidos. Capitalizando esta crescente animosidade, Osama bin Laden não se limita a apelar à jihad e argumenta que o Islão está a ser atacado pela América e seus aliados. A al-Qaeda condena a protecção dada pela América a regimes muçulmanos corruptos, o seu constante e imparcial apoio a Israel, e a invasão e ocupação do Afeganistão e do Iraque. Para muitos muçulmanos, estas realidades têm apenas uma a guerra. Segundo o autor, recorrerão a todos os meios disponíveis, não para destruírem o nosso estilo de vi[...]