Unfinished Business: Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Beyond--Defusing the Dangers That Threaten America's Security

By Harlan Ullman

Book Overview

On September 11th, 2001, nineteen men armed only with box cutters killed more than 3,000 innocent souls, shattered America's sense of invulnerability, and awakened the nation to the brutal reality of terror. How could such a catastrophe have happened? What was the series of events -- the mistakes, missteps, and unheeded warnings -- that led to the worst attacks on our soil since Pearl Harbor? And how can we prevent another, possibly more devastating tragedy?

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806524316
• ISBN13: 9780806524313
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Citadel Press
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Insight in a Time of Crisis

This is a sweeping examination of the world scene that moves easily from analysis to tough recommendations.If you want to put current questions about what is happening around the world into context, especially questions about the source and role of global terror, Unfinished Business is a book well worth reading. Its author, Harlan Ullman, has inner-office access to both Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld; indeed he has had access to most of the leaders of the last two decades. In Unfinished Business, he not only focuses on the likely need for the current President Bush to finish what his father surprisingly left undone in the Gulf War. More importantly, Ullman also focuses on America's -- indeed western civilization's true and more profound unfinished business: spurring strong economic and social/political progress around the globe. This Ullman sees as the fundamental means of eradicating most of the sources and causes of terror.On the way to discussing the need for global growth, Ullman also suggests we pay more attention to our own homeland security system, lest the unfinished business that gets finished first is another attack on the United States. Ullman?s view is that our openness makes us very vulnerable and that upsetting the U.S. economy is a principle objective of bin Laden and his followers. As Under Secretary of the Navy from 1997 through 2000, I often met with Harlan Ullman to discuss defense policy. Like his book, his insights were always tough-minded and worthy of thought and action. With a foreword by Senator John McCain, this book should be read by anyone who now plays, or hopes to play a guiding role in America in the next decade. If you are leading a "great issues / great decisions" study group in your local community, I would highly recommend Unfinished Business as a way to inform and excite minds that are eager to learn more about world affairs.

Exceptional

Well written, very informative. Shows the big picture, the cause and effect, and how things are linked together. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a better understanding of what is happening in the world today and why.

Don't Miss This One!

Current, provocative, informative yet an exciting read as well. Many interesting private insights and exchanges. Synthesizes the current geopolitical landscape with options for the future.

Must Read!!

A must read that places contemporary events into a well developed and insightful perspective. Could not put it down!!

Common Sense in a Very Challenging World

Unfinished Business presents an excellent historical perspective on new and enormously challenging issues facing the United States. We are engaged in a War that goes well beyond diplomatic and military resources, skills, and experience. Harlan Ullman objectively presents background of these most serious and difficult threats to our democratic and free enterprise systems. He offers potential options available to us and advocates common sense ideas and recommended actions. His Long Term Plan would appear to have a much better chance of success than other "band aid" solutions that have not and are not likely to achieve our national interests. In honestly stating the current situation, Dr. Ullman offers recommendations that will require ongoing and major commitments by our country.Unfinished Business is a clearly written and logical work that provides insights into huge challenges facing the US. This book is most successful in defining with clarity, from an American perspective, the magnitude of the current threats to our society. Dr. Ullman, most importantly, offers sound ideas and recommendations as to actions that can truly make a difference.