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Winning Modern Wars: Iraq, Terrorism, and the American Empire by Wesley K. Clark
Newt's Review: "Required, timely reading, September 19, 2001 Reviewer: Newt Gingrich Clark's account should be required reading for everyone involved in planning and explaining the upcoming war against terrorism. This is a remarkably timely book. General Clark commanded NATO during its first war, the war to push Serbia out of Kosovo. Clark candidly outlines the political complexities of an alliance, the gap between the view from Washington and the NATO headquarters in Washington, and the impact of the news media on both the military and diplomatic campaigns. As we enter what will almost certainly be a long campaign against terrorism, a campaign that will involve allies, the news media and probably some significant military actions, there is a lot to be learned from Clark's description of the constantly evolving balance between the politicians, the military, the diplomats, and the news media. The anti-terrorist campaign will be longer and more complicated than the NATO intervention in Kosovo and that was so difficult it almost failed. Clark describes a pattern of destructive dishonesty that permeated the Clinton Administration. Clark could never count on candor from Shelton (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs), Secretary of Defense Cohen, or President Clinton. Contrast that with the fact that we have every reason to believe President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Secretaries Powell, and Rumsfeld. This administration will prove far more reliable and far more honorable. However Clark cautions that far beyond the weaknesses of the Clinton Administration there is a new complexity to coalition warfare in a 24-hour news media environment that will require new thinking and new systems to sustain effectiveness and ensure victory."
Since there has been a lot of disscusion about Wesley Clark lately, I just thought I would post this tidbit, which I was surprised to come across. Apparently, Newt is one of amazon's top reviewer's!
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