The Longest War: The Enduring Conflict between America and Al-Qaeda
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | Peter Bergen |
| Products | Non-fiction book |
The Longest War: The Enduring Conflict Between America and Al Qaeda is a 2011 publication authored by CNN correspondent Peter Bergen, which achieved status as a New York Times bestseller.
General Overview
In this work, Bergen chronicles the sequence of events that culminated in the September 11 attacks and concludes with the operation resulting in the death of Osama bin Laden. Departing from his prior focus on bin Laden and the emergence of Al-Qaeda, The Longest War emphasizes the United States' tactical approaches and errors throughout the war on terror.
Bergen offers a critical examination of the George W. Bush administration’s initial shortcomings, highlighting missed chances such as failing to apprehend bin Laden at Tora Bora, the problematic launch of the Iraq War, and the CIA’s contentious implementation of enhanced interrogation techniques with minimal success. Nonetheless, by the conclusion of Bush’s second term, Bergen observes that Al-Qaeda’s strategic blunders—including estranging Muslim communities and lacking a unified governance strategy—contributed to its weakening.
Reception
Michiko Kakutani from The New York Times describes the book as an "essential read" that delivers a "concise and compelling summary" of the war on terror.
Thomas E. Ricks commends Bergen for addressing Al-Qaeda’s objectives, the Bush administration’s missteps, and Pakistan’s complex involvement in counterterrorism efforts. Ricks underscores Bergen’s insight into early strategic errors made by both parties in 2001, noting its superiority over fictional portrayals of 9/11’s aftermath.
Jason Burke writing for The Guardian praises Bergen’s lucid depiction of Al-Qaeda and Islamic militancy. He finds the book’s exploration of internal disagreements within Al-Qaeda—such as dissent regarding the 9/11 attacks due to expected U.S. retaliation—particularly "illuminating."