Howard Linett, Esq
Terrorism Expert, Tactical Instructor, Expert Witness, Author
Book Reviews
| THE
JIHAD NEXT DOOR:
THE LACKAWANNA SIX AND ROUGH JUSTICE IN THE AGE OF TERROR By Dina Temple-Raston PUBLIC AFFAIRS BOOKS
Reviewed
by: ELLIOTT GROLLMAN |
 |
I had the pleasure to meet the author and hear her describe the book and
the background around it. I
was able to gain much more feel for the story than if I had only read it.
The author is the National Public Radio's FBI correspondent and is
the author of numerous other books. The
story deals with six American Muslim men of Yemini descent from Lackawanna
N.Y. near Buffalo.
The men, who became known as the Lackawanna Six, were arrested by the
FBI when it was discovered that prior to Sept. 11 they had left the USA
and traveled to Afghanistan and attended Al-Qaeda training camps and
actually met Osama bin Laden.
The men had been born and raised in the US and while Muslim were typical
working class Americans. The
arrest of these men became America's worst nightmare; America born,
raised, educated, radicalized, Islamic extremists living here among us as
a sleeper cell. The author
related how certain radical individuals were able to influence young
Muslim Americans to leave their homes in pursuit of Jihad.
What they found was not what they had been led to believe and the
men, except for one, left the camps early and returned to their homes and
basically returned to their old lives.
Sept. 11 changed all that. The
FBI acting on a tip discovered their secret.
Gitmo, secret prisons, wiretaps, torture, etc. became part of the war on
terror. " Flying while
Muslim" became the new " driving while Black".
The Six became part of the war on terror. While the six had clearly gone to a training camp prior to
9/11 and hid that fact, were they really a sleeper cell awaiting orders to
attack America ? The story is
as much about them as it is about our post 9/11 system of justice as well
as how we view our Muslim American citizens.
The book is interesting as well as entertaining and includes a
section on notes on sources. As
the war on terrorism continues both here and overseas so does the debate
on how and where we will fight it.
It is a book worth reading and an issue that surely will not go away.
|
THE
PATH TO PARADISE:
By Anat Berko PRAEGER SECURITY INTERNATIONAL WWW.PRAEGER.COM Reviewed by: ELLIOTT GROLLMAN |
 |
THE Author, Anat Berko who is a LTC in the
Israeli Defense Forces, also holds a Ph.D. in Criminology and is a
research fellow at the International Policy Institute for Counter
Terrorism. Her background,
her official position and even her gender gave her unusual access to the
terrorists in Israeli prisons that she interviewed for her book.
This book is probably one of the best I have seen on the subject
since the terrorists she interviewed either were arrested prior to getting
to their targets or changed their mind prior to blowing up their targets
or who were the dispatchers who sent other suicide bombers.
Radical Islamic suicide bombers believe that
to commit suicide as a martyr for the sake of Allah is an honor granted by
Allah and cannot be refused. Male
suicide bombers are known as shaheed and female as shaheeda.
However most of the terrorists Dr. Berko met with were in fact not
overly religious and their original motivation for killing themselves were
all over the board.
She met with dispatchers who admitted to
looking for recruits who were " desperate and sad".
The dispatchers related that in most cases suicide bombers are not
the young, uneducated, single individuals they were in the past, nor were
they religious fanatics. Neither
were the dispatchers who sent them. While religion is used as part of the preparation process,
the original motivation may be nationalism, revenge, hatred for the Jews,
loathing for the Western world, the reward to the family of the shaheed,
the hero status of the shaheed as well as personal or family reasons.
The author noted that none of the dispatchers nor their family
members became suicide bombers. The
reply of those she talked with was that the dispatchers had their job to
do and the bombers had their job to do.
It seemed that in fact the dispatchers seemed to be held in high
regard in most cases. The use
of propaganda and the demonization of the Jews as well as the power of the
collective society over the individual's value plays a major part in the
process of recruiting the bombers in their mission to sacrifice themselves
for the greater good.
The author was able to conduct a very
extensive interview with Sheikh Yassin; the founder of Hamas prior to his
death. She also interviewed
and seemed to connect with many of the female terrorists in prison as
well. While the females
all touted the standard jihad verbiage, they all seemed to have their own
" personal" story which they seemed to share as they
"connected" with Dr. Berko.
In the past some terrorist groups did not condone the use of female
shaheeda, however that has now changed.
It is ironic that in a society where the role of women is strictly
controlled, even the role they play as terrorists are equally strictly
controlled. The terrorists of
course have come to realize the psychological impact that female suicide
bombers bring as well as the death and destruction. One of the common threads Dr. Berko finds is the issue of the
terrorists' connection with their mothers and their fathers or the lack of
a connection with a particular parent.
Another theme she hears is the terrorists tale
of their feelings toward Jews which they discovered after dealing with the
guards who apparently treat them as human beings and their lack of any
real interaction with Jews prior to their incarceration. Dr. Berko wonders if they are saying this
to her since they think it may be what she wants to hear.
She also has the opportunity to met with some teen age terrorists
as well as the parent of a shaheeda.
At the end of the day, the issue is a complex one however whatever
the individual motivation maybe, the collective justification is the same
and too many radical Islamic groups condone the acts and not enough
moderate Islamic groups or religious figures condemn the acts.
As long as individuals believe that acts of terrorism will be
rewarded by going to paradise, being absolved of all their sins, a free
pass to heaven for their family and 72 virgins awaiting their needs; suicide bombing will continue to be a serious problem.
For those dealing with terrorism this book is a must read.
|
A TIME TO LEAD: FOR DUTY, HONOR AND COUNTRY By Wesley K. Clark, WITH Tom Carhart Palgrave Macmillian Reviewed by: ELLIOTT GROLLMAN |
 |
Tom Carhart is a West Point graduate and author of numerous military history books.
Gen. Clark grew up in rural segregated Ark. As he was growing up; like many young people, he was
His military career was varied and unique and he rose rapidly through
the ranks. Following
graduation
Some time later, based on his leadership abilities and experience, he
was recruited to run for President
A timely and relevant read.
|
INSIDE
HAMAS:
BY ZAKI CHEHAB Nation Books (2007)
Reviewed by: ELLIOTT GROLLMAN |
 |
I had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Chehab
and to hear him speak about his book.
Mr. Chehab is not only an author and journalist but a Palestinian
who grew up in a UN refugee camp. This
status gave him both unique access as well as understanding of those
people he talked to for this book. The
politics of the Middle East are complex and constantly changing as are the
loyalties and allegiances of the parties involved.
As the saying goes, " you can't tell the players, without a
scorecard." As the
history of the Middle East has taught us there is no single entity
representing all Arabs or all Muslims or even all Palestinians.
Nor does any one entity speak for all of Israel or all Jews.
This book focuses on the group Hamas, the
Islamic Resistance Movement. The
book goes into the excellent detail on the group, its leadership, its'
history, its' allies and its' enemies.
Many people were surprised when Hamas was elected into power to
include some people in Hamas and definitely members of the PA and the
Israelis.
Is Hamas a terrorist group, a political party
or a social welfare organization?
I think the answer is yes to all. I recently was involved in a
similar discussion with someone regarding the Black Panther Party. They were making a point about the breakfast school programs
the Black Panther Party did for children.
Clearly a good and necessary program I replied yet it was a moot
point when they were killing cops. I
remember during the peace talks between the British and Northern Ireland.
The British had concerns about dealing with members of IRA vs. Sinn
Fein. Ultimately they worked
through it. Remember that it
was not that long ago that Israel would not talk to Arafat and the PLO yet
the Palestinian Authority and Arafat came in power.
There are many players in this drama; Hamas,
the Palestinian Authority, Israel, Syria, the US, and Lebanon to name a
few. All play a role in the
road to peace or chaos in the Middle East.
Before Hamas can determine its role with other players, it must first
identify its own role in the process.
Who will rule Hamas? Will
they rule with the ballot or the bomb?
Will they recognize the right of Israel to exist?
If so, will Israel even talk to them?
While only the future can determine the
answers to these questions, this book is an excellent reference on what
Hamas is, how Hamas came into being and maybe some insight into where it
should go from here.
|
THE
TERRORIST WATCH: BY RONALD KESSLER www.RonaldKessler.com
Reviewed by: ELLIOTT GROLLMAN |
 |
The author of this book is someone who has had both unique access and
unique experience to be able to write this book. Mr. Kessler is the New
York Times best selling author of 16 non fiction books to include "
The Bureau: The Secret History of the FBI ", "The CIA at
War", "Inside the CIA", to mention a few.
He is also a former Washington Post and Wall Street Journal
investigative reporter. Drawing
on the access that he had gained earlier with the CIA, FBI and others, Mr.
Kessler addresses these agencies together in their battle against
terrorism directed against America.
Mr. Kessler has had the opportunity to meet with and interview the FBI
and CIA Directors, the White House Counterterrorism Chief and intelligence
the personnel throughout the federal government.
He also visits the Operations Centers of the key agencies in this
battle to include CIA, FBI, DOD and the new interagency National
Counterterrorism center.
Most of us are now aware of some of the intelligence shortcomings prior
to 9/11 attacks. What
everyone may not be aware of are the changes that have occurred since then
and the successes that our agencies have had due to the fact that they do
now work together in a unified effort to protect our country.
While the average citizen only sees long lines at the checkpoints
at the airport or our troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan; most of the
work done by our law enforcement and intelligence agencies, by its very
nature, is done in secret. It
is no accident that we have had no terrorist attacks in the US since 9/11
and have had numerous arrests of terrorist plots both in the US and
worldwide. This book deals with the reality of how the FBI/CIA work
together through the newly created National Counterterrorism Center in
fighting terrorism and reviews some of the many successes.
The book also talks about how the media and many politicians not
only put out misinformation but jeopardizes these agencies efforts through
deliberate leaks in the media. The
book also talks about the ongoing battle that still goes on today and what
is at stake.
I think that the book will be of interest to those of us in the
anti/counter terrorism community and of even more interest to the public
who normally knows about us only through the TV news and TV shows.
|
COMBAT
TECHNIQUES:
By Chris McNab and Martin Dougherty THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS, ST.
MARTINS PRESS, NEW YORK W.
Brain Ssmith
(646)
307-5566
Reviewed by: ELLIOTT GROLLMAN |
 |
This
book is written by Dr. Chris McNab; who has written over 20 books on
wilderness and urban survival techniques and Martin Dougherty; a freelance
writer and editor on military and defense topics.
Almost
every night while gathering together for dinner, Americans watch on the
news our military personnel conducting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I remember while in high school before graduating and going on
active duty, my family and I watched the same in the mid 60's from
Vietnam. While those
who have served in the military will recognize much of what they see, many
of the civilian population will not.
There
are a large number of military field manuals that cover all the type of
operations that the military conducts and weapons that they use.
Where this book is helpful is that it covers a whole range of
subjects from individual weapons and tactics to joint operations and heavy
weapons.
Chapter
1 covers basic infantry firepower carried by basic infantry soldiers from
small arms to machine guns to mines and explosives.
Chapter 2 goes to the next organization of basic tactics of
infantry forces from the fire team to the squad and patrol operations and
movement and ambush and up to include mechanical and airborne infantry
operations. Chapter 3 then
moves to the big guns, such as artillery, anti-tank, armor, aircraft,
mortars and anti-aircraft defense. Chapter
4 discusses how the terrain affects combat operations and looks at
critical differences between desert, arctic, jungle,
mountain, airmobile, riverine and urban terrain operations. Chapter 5 then enters the world of Special Forces (Green
Berets) and their missions of hostage rescue, infiltration,
reconnaissance, escape and evasion and sniper operations and close
protection. Chapter 6 goes to the battlefield of today; counterinsurgency
warfare. It looks at how
insurgents operate: the stages, the strategy, the asymmetric warfare, the
terrorism; how they are tackled; the rules of engagement, checkpoints and
searches, cordon and sweeps and how they can be defeated. The chapter goes
further into marksmanship, cover and concealment, fire and maneuver and
cooperation between forces.
The
book comes with numerous photos and diagrams and is an excellent broad
brush approach to modern ground combat.
In addition, during the last few decades, law enforcement has had
to create tactical teams and adopt military type tactics in response to
terrorism, active shooters, hostage rescue, etc.
There is much information that would be of interest to them as
well.
|
THE
NUCLEAR JIHADIST: By: Douglas Frantz and
Catherine Collins (www.thenuclearjihadist.com
) Twelve Books; Hachette Book Group, USA ( www.HachetteBookGroupUSA.com ) Reviewed by Elliot Grollman |
 |
I had the opportunity to meet with the authors and talk about their
book. The writers of this
book are both experienced authors as well as reporters.
They are also a husband and wife team.
Their experience in investigative journalism and their access to
contacts as members of the media were evident in the detail in the book.
This book is the true story of Abdul Qadeer Khan; the Pakistani
scientist who became the father of the Islamic bomb. Khan's initial quest was to obtain the nuclear bomb to
match the one that India; Pakistan's arch enemy had produced. However those nations who held the key to the technology and
equipment realized the potential dangers to the rest of the world if
certain rogue nations and terrorist groups were able to get access to
nuclear weapons. That
is why the USA, other countries, the UN and the International Atomic
Energy Agency ( IAEA) worked to control the spread of weapons technology
and to get countries involved in nuclear Non-Proliferation treaties.
Yet, Khan's quest went way beyond just obtaining a bomb for Pakistan; he
wanted to be the father of the Islamic bomb for other Muslim countries.
While Khan was dedicated to helping his Muslim brothers, he was not
averse to becoming rich in the process and being willing to sell his wares
to anyone with the money. While Khan was the center of these operations, he
needed a huge network of people and companies around the globe to move the
knowledge and equipment to his many customers within the nuclear black
market.
But trafficking in the nuclear black market is not like trafficking in
drugs. The world stage
changed after 9/11 and the situations with Iran, North Korea, Iraq and
others become impossible to ignore. In
normal cases different agencies would get together to match up their
pieces to complete the puzzle.
But in this case it was not that simple and different agencies and
countries had their own agendas. The
IAEA had its concerns yet did not have any real authority to take action.
The CIA had its information from its sources but wanted to let the
situation play and the White House refused to pressure Pakistan to rein in
Khan since they needed them in the battle against terrorism.
The book is an easy read and is well researched and includes many notes
involving a lot of excellent background information. An excellent book, yet the story is not over.
|
The Ultimate Sniper:
By Major John L. Plaster (USAR) (Ret.) Reviewed by N. Singer |
 |
I was first given a copy of The Ultimate Sniper by an
instructor in the Israeli Police Department’s Sniper Course and was told
to read it before the course actually started.
He figured that most of the material that I would be getting was
translated from English into Hebrew, and this was chance to get it in the
‘original’. I would be
able to familiarize myself with the concepts and later (during the course)
figure out the Hebrew equivalent for the terms.
Having drilled with the Jerusalem Police
Auxiliary’s Sniper Team for almost a year before the course, and having
been a part of the security teams for numerous visiting foreign
dignitaries, including Pope John Paul II, I thought that I was reasonably
familiar with the topic and a ‘quick read’ would be all that it took
to learn the material. The
‘quickly’ showed me how much I didn’t know and 8 years later I still
review the book.
The Ultimate Sniper is a thorough text book on sniper
craft – all details are covered in a thorough and methodical breakdown.
You learn the theory and reasoning for using all different types of
equipment and drills. Differences
between police and military snipers are explained as is the need for
different equipment and training.
The first third of the book discusses equipment and
evaluates the different options taking into consideration cost as well as
purpose. No detail is too
small to be considered. Everything
from drag bags to bullets to scopes to bullet weight to action type is
covered. You learn what is
the bare necessity, what is reasonable and what is the Cadillac of
equipment. Most important, you learn what to avoid and why.
The second part discusses marksmanship techniques.
Everything from how to sit or lie down, to how to adjust for
distance, slope and wind. All
the details of how to properly prepare to make the first shot hit home are
methodically laid out. Supplemental
equipment is detailed and accompanied by a complete explanation on its
use. A chapter on camouflage rounds things out.
The last part teaches deployment and techniques. From
building a sniper hide, to tracking and stalking as well as night
operations, special operations, and counter sniping tactics and
techniques, all is concisely covered.
The Ultimate Sniper is one reference that I enjoy returning to again and again. And I learn something new each time I go through it.
|
DEATH
OF A DISSIDENT: BY
ALEX GOLDFARB WITH MARINA LITVINENKO Reviewed by Elliot Grollman |
 |
I had the opportunity to meet Marina
Litvinenko at a law enforcement conference.
She was very subdued and reserved, as you might sort of expect her
to be. I have to give her
credit for coming to the US and coming before a group of strangers to
share her tale. She spoke
only a little and then turned the floor over to Alex Goldfarb; who is the
main author of the book. Marina
Litvinenko as you will learn as the story unfolds is a victim brought into
a world that she did not understand nor did she want.
She was fortunate to have people like Alex Goldfarb, the real force
behind this book; who is a player in that world and was responsible for
her being in the West and for being alive.
Mr. Goldfarb, was a dissident scientist who left Russia in the
1970's, who stayed active in directing charitable initiatives in Russia
and is active as the Executive Foundation for Civil Liberties as an
umbrella group for human rights activists.
It is he that brought Litvinenko to the West and fought for his
cause and brought his story to the world.
Many of us are familiar with the news account
of Alexander (Sasha) Litvinenko; the ex-FSB agent who fled to London after
being jailed in Russia for exposing corruption in his organization.
Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned with radioactive materials in
London on orders from Russia and soon died.
On his death bed, he accused President Putin, a former FSB
official. This was neither
the beginning nor the end of the story. The story started a long time ago in Russia and
Litvinenko was but a small part in a grander scheme.
Since the break-up of the former Soviet Union, Russia has been
involved in numerous internal conflicts and external conflicts. Conflicts
involving President Putin and Pres. Bush, conflicts between Russian and
Chechnya, conflicts between those who favor democracy in Russia versus
those who favor the old communist party, conflicts between the military,
the political parties and the old KGB (now FSB).
The Russian governments' lack of toleration
for dissent is well known through is use of torture and its gulag prison
system. Its use of
assassination of dissidents around the world is also well known.
| INTELCENTER
COUNTERTERRORISM
WALL CHARTS
INTELCENTER Info@intercenter.com
703
370-2962 fax
703 370-1571 IntelCenter Attn: Orders Reviewed by Elliot Grollman
|
While normally I review books and/or DVD's, this time I am taking on a
different path and reviewing
two new wall charts. IntelCenter;
who specializes in publishing numerous books and DVD's on jihadist
terrorism has now created two huge colorful illustrated wall charts.
The first chart is the Jihadi Facial Identification Wall Chart ( v1.0).
Since the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 and our military operations in
Iraq and Afghanistan, we repeatedly hear about key terrorist leaders like
Osama bin Laden and Ayman al Zawahiri and others involved in the world
wide jihad. While almost
everyone knows what Osama and al-Zawahiri looks like, there are many key
personnel in the movement who we do not know what they look like or even
who they are. This
chart which measures 44" x 36" displays over 40 photographs from
more than 15 groups. The
top leadership of a dozen groups as well as others who often appear in
jihad videos. Individuals
are listed in alphabetical order by first name based on their most
commonly used name. The
most common spelling is also used for groups, names and titles.
The chart sells for $ 29.95
The second chart, which is the same size and cost as the first, is the
Iraq Group Breakout
(v1.0). Every day in
the news we hear about the insurgency in Iraq. Who exactly are the
insurgents? Basically, it is
everyone else against us. As
the saying goes; " you can't tell the players without a
scorecard". This chart is the scorecard.
The chart breaks down the groups into major categories such as
Independents, Independent Shia's, the Political Council for Iraqi
Resistance, the Jihad and Change Front, the Islamic State of Iraq, the
Supreme Command for Jihad and Liberation.
In addition to showing the many players involved, the chart shows
the linkages between the groups.
|
SHADOW
WORLD: BY ROBERT CHANDLER REGNERY PUBLISHING, INC. WWW.REGNERY.COM Reviewed by Elliot Grollman
|
 |
The author is a retired USAF Col. and Vietnam veteran who holds a Ph.D.
in political science from GW University, who has worked for the White
House, the Depts. of State, Defense, Energy, Justice and the CIA.
He has written numerous books and articles.
I was fortunate that I had the opportunity to work with the author while
he was involved in some of the research.
We shared similar interests in the area of civil disturbances and
terrorism.
It is somewhat ironic that things that we knew about in “our community
“ years ago are now in Col. Chandler’s book and now much is also in
the public domain and often today’s headlines.
While the “ cold war” as we knew it is over, there are still new,
different and even more dangerous threats.
These threats include a resurgent Russia, the global new left and
radical Islam. As is often
the case, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
While the USSR as we knew it is gone, the “ old guard” in Russia has
not gone away. Recent
events in Georgia and the assassination of a former FSB operative with
radiation has reminded people that then Pres. Putin had been a KGB
General. The new Russia may
have changed its political structure but its culture has not changed.
Another remnant of the old Russia was that during “the cold war”
much of the industrialized world either followed the “Capitalist”
ideology of the US or the “ Marxist” ideology of the Soviet Union. While no longer supported by the Soviet Union, some of
these countries such as Cuba and Venezuela still follow their old views
and are no friend to the US. None
of this of course is secret or new information.
The threat from radical Islam needs no explanation beyond the headlines
from Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and similar places. Those who support a global jihad will constitute a threat to
us as long as they and we exist.
What brought this home to me was in my dealings with numerous civil
disturbances particular those that are anti-globalization/
anti-US/anti-war, etc. Many
of those who participate in some of these marches may be simply be people
of conscience if not somewhat naïve.
Most however are unaware of the real motivation, background and
source of those who control these movements.
Col. Chandler’s research has uncovered much of the truth behind
these movements. For example, we knew years ago that the Soviets were behind
much of the anti-nuclear movement.
A critical and necessary book for those involved with Homeland and
National security.
|
GHOST:
CONFESSIONS OF A COUNTER TERRORISM AGENT BY FRED BURTON RANDOM HOUSE Reviewed by Elliot Grollman
|
 |
Fred
Burton is the former deputy Chief of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS);
the Dept. of State’s Counter terrorism Division and is now VP for
Counter Terrorism and Corporate Security at Stratfor; a major private
intelligence company
What
made this book of particular interest to me is the fact that while I do
not know Agent Burton; I have worked with the DSS many times in my career.
I have also spent a lot of my career in the area of special
operations and terrorism and have been involved in both law enforcement
and military intelligence/ response/protective operations and am very
familiar with many of the terrorists cases that Fred Burton was working
with.
It
was not that long ago that terrorism was a foreign concern both from a
geographically perspective as well as an intelligence perspective.
However with America’s reach through our civilian and military
government operations around the world; America became a target.
As a member of the DSS, SA Burton played a major role in the
response to and prevention of terrorism aimed at Americans overseas and
also when international terrorism targeted American’s at home as well.
The cases that he was involved with reads as a “ who’s who in
international terrorism” of the past few decades.
Agent
Burton made some critical points in his book.
First, in the battle against terrorism, coordination
between America’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies must be done
as well as with our allies agencies overseas.
He also provided an excellent behind the scenes view of our
response and show how politics and diplomacy plays such a large role.
Lastly
and equally important is that for this in the line of work, your
commitment to duty will take a toll on your time and personal life.
It is as they say “ the cost of doing business”.
For those who are in the business or those who only know about terrorism from the front page of the daily newspaper, this book is a great read.