Difficult Terrain

The Longest War by Peter Bergen

Bergen,who is known for producing the first television interview of Osama bin Laden in the western media in 1997,four years before the fall of the Twin Towers,and for writing The Osama bin Laden I Know: An Oral History of Al-Qaedas Leader in 2006,is ready with his new book,The Longest War. It deals with the USs almost-a-decade-long-war in Afghanistan and Iraq post 9/11. He goes over the terrain again,analysing and often questioning American policies in both the countries. His deft touch,a few reviews in the West have pointed out,is noticeable when he talks about Bin Laden,especially his escape from Tora Bora. He has been criticised,however,for not suggesting an alternative course to Americas post-9/11 offensive that he attacks.

Deadly Embrace: Pakistan,America,and the Future of Global Jihad by Bruce Riedel

A former CIA officer,senior advisor to three US presidents on Middle East and South Asia and the man who crafted Barack Obamas speech referring to Pakistan-Afghanistan border as the most dangerous region of the world,Riedel tries to explain the history of Pakistan-US relations,an odd one that has had its many incongruous phases,from friendship to suspicion. He talks about correctives for the US policy in Pakistan and on how it deals with terrorists.

Osama bin Laden by Michael Scheuer

Another CIA veteran,Scheuer has served as the chief and adviser to the chief of nothing less than the Bin Laden Unit. He is,therefore,an old hand on Al Qaeda. This is his biography of Americas most wanted man. One of the early reviews says Scheuer draws on a multitude of primary sources to portray Osama as a rational,intelligent,patient and pious Muslim who understands us far better than we comprehend him.