How to Break a Terrorist
Page 21
Killing Zarqawi dealt a blow to Al Qaida in Iraq but it didn’t end the suicide bombings. The news still holds tales of horrified shoppers struggling from the wreckage of once-thriving Baghdad marketplaces. We didn’t save the day as our leadership hoped we might.
But an organization can only take so much damage. In the wake of Zarqawi’s death, we launched sudden strikes all over Baghdad, Yusufiyah, and Anbar Province. Our intelligence brought down dozens of cells and networks. Suicide bombings plummeted for a month. I would like to think that with Zarqawi’s death, we helped make Iraq a little safer, even if only for a little while. We brought justice and we saved lives. Over a year later, General Petraeus reached out to Sunni nationalists and armed them, finally delivering on my promise to Abu Haydar to work together and forget the past, and many Sunnis have in fact turned on Al Qaida. Perhaps an ultimate showdown between Shia and Sunni still looms on the horizon, but with negotiation and understanding, the Iraqi people might someday learn to live together again.
In the meantime, the hydra still lives. Al Masri took over for Zarqawi, and nothing changed in the compound but the target. I left the compound not long afterward to work with a Stryker brigade combat team in the north of Iraq along with Mike, one of the agents I had deployed with. We took part in raids, interrogated detainees at the point of capture, and expanded on the new methods. I carried an M4 and strapped on my Kevlar every night as we left the wire. I felt free out there with the soldiers, far from the politics of our ’gator unit, and I felt that we were making a difference. But it was never as gratifying as that one day in June when I played a role in the death of the most wanted man in Iraq.
I find the sweet spot in the swells. I swing my board around and start paddling hard. The next wave rushes toward me, taking shape in the otherwise amorphous ocean. I watch it over my shoulder, timing my next move. The base takes shape. It starts to curl.
In a heartbeat, I’m on my feet, the board aligned below. Then I’m shooting down the face of the wave as the curl breaks behind me. It is a glorious moment full of translucent sunshine and the perfume of salt water.
The ride ends, and I start paddling for the next wave. I am free again, and one day I will make sense of it all and feel whole.
I think back to those meetings in Abu Haydar’s cell. Those moments crystallized for me the importance of our new techniques. They give us flexibility, insight, and information. Those are the real weapons in the War on Terror. We don’t have to become our enemies to defeat them.
I see Abu Haydar again. He leans into me as I speak into his ear, the guard nearby oblivious to our secret deal. And therein lies the most important truth of this new age of warfare. A few words, furtive and whispered, can change the world.
Acknowledgments
MY DEEPEST THANKS go to John Bruning for his discerning ear, writing, friendship, and dedication. With a surgeon’s precision he excised my memories and helped me transform them into a story. My agent, Jim Hornfischer, provided keen advice and took a chance on this book and me, which deserves double recognition. The superb editing and guidance of Hilary Redmon at Free Press was instrumental in excavating and polishing the bones of this story and I am deeply grateful to her. My sincere gratitude also goes to the entire Free Press team for their contributions to this book.
I am indebted to Mark Bowden for his advice on writing, introductory words, and for inspiring me to put pen to paper.
I have no words to describe the feelings of pride that emerge when I consider the men and women that I served with in Iraq. The interrogators who worked for me and the analysts that supported us, many of whom are not mentioned in this book, were, nonetheless, remarkable. The same can be said for our interpreters, the guards that protected us, two Jordanian officers, and our support personnel. Special thanks to my good friends and fellow ’gators, Mark, “Ann, Steve, and Mr B.”
I was counseled throughout the writing of this book by several close friends and family members. Each of you offered unique and invaluable opinions for which I am forever thankful.
Today, there are thousands of Iraqi refugees who have helped the American government and whose lives are endangered due to their affiliation with us. The List Project is a U.S. non-profit organization with the belief that the United States Government has a moral obligation to resettle to safety those Iraqis who are imperiled due to their affiliation with the United States of America. To learn how you can help visit TheListProject.org.
Finally, I strongly oppose the use of torture or coercion in interrogations. It is against my fundamental beliefs as an American.
Matthew Alexander
IT HAS BEEN a tremendous honor to work with Matthew to bring this, one of the biggest success stories of the War on Terror, to an American audience. Matthew: Thank you for your friendship and our many off-topic conversations that taught me more than you’ll ever know. Our collaboration was one of the highlights of my writing career. Your insight and wisdom, introspection and intelligence have been a source of inspiration and education for me. Writing this book with you opened my mind to so many things, both professional and personal. Thank you for this opportunity. I’ve grown both as a writer and as a person, thanks to our friendship.
To Jim Hornfischer, my friend and agent, you are the Jerry McGuire of this shark-filled business—honest, humble, talented, and relationship-driven. Thank you for taking a chance on me two years ago, and thank you for everything that you’ve done for my family. You changed my life, Jim. For that I owe you a debt that I will never be able to repay—but I will keep trying, anyway!
Hilary Redmon stepped into the project early in its gestational phase and provided tremendous guidance. Hilary, it has been a great pleasure to work with you and the rest of the team at Free Press. Your editing has made this book so much stronger and compelling that whatever success it enjoys will be largely thanks to your eye and effort.
No writer can exist in a vacuum, no matter how hard we try at times. In my case, when I begin a collaboration such as this one, I work long hours as the story takes shape. My family, Eddie, Renee, Jennifer—you suffer through these times with such good spirit, support and heart that I cannot help but to love you all a little harder for it. You are the wellspring of all my energy. Larry and Mary Ann, your excitement and encouragement always provides a boost. John Sr., Judy, and Sherry—thank you for your enduring support.
At crunch time, I have many who take care of me here in my little Oregon town. Andy and Denice Scott, you guys are the best. Angie, Becca, Brenda, Alyea—you put up with me and my stacks of paper, books and notes during the busiest times of the morning. Thank you for suffering through my many intrusions into your work day!
Bob and Laura Archer—my friends for these past fourteen years—your generosity will never be forgotten.
Mark Farley, whose eyes and insight made no small contribution to this book, is the sounding board every writer dreams of having. He’s honest and holds nothing back. Thanks Mark, you helped set us on the right track.
Shawna Akin, who has been my assistant since I wrote Crimson Sky back in the late ’90’s, has suffered my many instances of organizational-impairment with excellent humor and spirit. You keep me on the straight and narrow, Shawna, and I will always appreciate that.
To the 973rd COB’s—Bethany, Spencer, Shaun, Joe, Andrew, Joey “The Irreverent Reverend,” Aaron, Brad, Taylor, Gaelen, Logan, Ox—and everyone else—your support and enthusiasm helped fuel this project. Your dedication and desire to make a substantive contribution on drill weekends remains a source of supreme inspiration. I’m proud to be associated with all of you, and humbled by your sacrifices and sense of patriotism. Each one of you embodies the best of what it means to be an American.
John Bruning
About the Authors
Matthew Alexander served for fourteen years in the U.S. Air Force. He has personally conducted more than 300 interrogations and supervised more than 1,000. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his achievements in Iraq.
John R. Bruning is the author or coauthor of nine books, including House to House by David Bellavia. He has been a military historian, writer, and consultant for eighteen years. He also currently serves as the president of the 973COB.org, a nonprofit corporation that provides training support for the Oregon National Guard, SWAT teams, and local enforcement.