The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with seven firsthand sources.
* * *
In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina: Spencer S. Hsu and Susan B. Glasser, "FEMA Director Singled Out by Response Critics," The Washington Post, September 6, 2005, p. A1. The day before Bush's conversation: SECRET Camp David agenda summary dated June 12, 2006, and declassified by the White House in 2008 in response to specific questions asked by the author. Casey's presentation was from 9:30 A.M. to 10:15 A.M.
The plan, classified SECRET: Author's review and dictated notes of a SECRET document dated June 12, 2006, consisting of a one-page security assessment, a counterinsurgency strategy and a joint campaign plan.
I later read Hadley's statement: Author interview with President George W. Bush, May 20, 2008.
In his special file: SECRET statistical review described to the author by a knowledgeable source.
The president himself: Interview with President George W. Bush, May 20, 2008, and several knowledgeable sources.
As a first step: SECRET Camp David agenda summary dated June 12, 2006, and declassified by the White House in 2008 in response to specific questions asked by the author.
The morning had begun: Author's review and dictated notes of a SECRET document dated June 12, 2006, consisting of a one-page security assessment, a counterinsurgency strategy and a joint campaign plan.
Rice's State Department briefing: SECRET Camp David agenda summary dated June 12, 2006, and declassified by the White House in 2008 in response to specific questions asked by the author. The State Department briefing was from 3:15 P.M. to 3:45 P.M.
And yet, "I sense something": Presidential Documents, June 14, 2006, p. 1133 (Vol. 42, No. 24), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no24.html.
In an interview two years later: Interview with President George W. Bush, May 20, 2008.
Bush insisted he understood: Interview with President George W. Bush, May 21, 2008.
"What frustrated me is that": Interview with President George W. Bush, May 20, 2008.
"That's one of many questions": Interview with President George W. Bush, May 21, 2008.
CHAPTER 1
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with five firsthand sources.
* * *
The snowflake sent on October 28, 2003: Author's review and dictated notes of a SECRET snowflake dated October 28, 2003.
CHAPTER 2
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with five firsthand sources.
* * *
A SECRET analysis showed: Author's review and dictated notes of a document dated January 8, 2005.
Daily attacks doubled: Chart of weekly security incidents in Iraq between January 2004 and May 2008.
"With a month to go before elections": A knowledgeable source's account of the December 2004 document.
When I interviewed the president: Interview with President George W. Bush, August 20, 2002. See Bob Woodward, Bush at War, New York: Simon & Schuster, 2002, p. 342.
CHAPTER 3
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with five firsthand sources.
* * *
On February 10, 2005, Zelikow: Notes of a SECRET document dated February 10, 2005. On October 11, 2005, he dashed off: Author's review and notes of a SECRET snowflake dated October 11, 2005.
Casey replied, "I believe this": Author's review and notes of a SECRET memorandum.
Rice made it the core: Federal News Service, "Hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Subject: Iraq in United States Foreign Policy," October 19, 2005, www.fnsg.com.
The president said in a speech: Presidential Documents, October 25, 2005, pp. 1610ñ1617 (Vol. 41, No. 43), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v41no43.html.
On November 12, he forwarded: Author's review and notes of a SECRET summary dated November 12, 2005.
"I also note that on page two": Author's review and notes of a SECRET snowflake dated November 17, 2005.
On December 2, 2005, a snowflake: Author's review and notes of a SECRET snowflake dated December 2, 2005.
"I am in general agreement": Author's review and notes of a SECRET document.
"Attached is a worrisome": Author's review and notes of a SECRET snowflake dated December 12, 2005, and an attached SECRET report.
"The interesting point here": CBS News Transcripts, Face the Nation, February 26, 2006.
On March 20, the president drew attention: Presidential Documents, March 20, 2006, pp. 498ñ516 (Vol. 42, No. 12), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no12.html.
The next day, March 21, a SECRET CIA report: Author's review and notes of a SECRET document dated March 21, 2006.
Within days, Rumsfeld sent: Author's review and notes of a SECRET snowflake dated April 3, 2006.
Dated April 16, the SECRET report: Author's review and notes of a SECRET document dated April 16, 2006.
On April 17, the inevitable snowflake: Author's review and notes of a SECRET snowflake dated April 17, 2006.
On May 8, Rumsfeld composed: Author's review and notes of a SECRET snowflake dated May 8, 2006.
CHAPTER 4
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 11 firsthand sources and contemporaneous notes by two participants.
* * *
On May 18, the last interview: This study group session with Petraeus is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated May 18, 2006.
I first met Petraeus: Interview with Major David Petraeus, January 31, 1990.
His hair had long ago turned gray: This study group session with Powell is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated May 19, 2006.
CHAPTER 5
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 13 firsthand sources and contemporaneous notes by two participants.
* * *
Rumsfeld immediately dashed off: Author's review and notes of a SECRET snowflake dated May 26, 2006. "I just took a look": Author's review and notes of a SECRET snowflake dated May 30, 2006.
On June 5, Zelikow and Jeffrey: Dictated notes of a SECRET memo dated June 5, 2006.
Not long afterward, McChrystal called: Patrick Quinn and Kim Gamel, "Inside Tip Helped U.S. Take Out Al- Zarqawi," Associated Press, June 8, 2006.
Later, Rumsfeld dictated: Author's review and notes of a SECRET snowflake dated June 8, 2006.
"I've just returned from Baghdad": Presidential Documents, June 14, 2006, pp. 1125ñ1137 (Vol. 42, No. 24), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no24.html.
That same afternoon, the president met: This study group session with President Bush is from dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated June 14, 2006.
"Iraq Update and Way Ahead": Author's review and notes taken from a SECRET briefing dated June 21, 2006.
"Just so you know": Interview with President George W. Bush, May 20, 2008.
CHAPTER 6
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with six firsthand sources.
* * *
Al-Qaeda launched: Joshua Partlow and Naseer Nouri, "Dozens Are Killed in Violence Across Iraq," The Washington Post, June 27, 2006, p. A16. A few days later, on Saturday, July 1: Edward Wong, "Car Bomb Kills More than 60 in Iraq Market," The New York Times, July 2, 2006, p. A1.
A Sunni female member: "Sunni Female Legislator Kidnapped in Baghdad," Associated Press, July 1, 2006.
All hell broke loose: Donna Miles, "Leaders Praise Fortitude of Stryker Brigade Families," American Forces Press Service, December 25, 2006, www.defenselink.mil/news/articles.html.
Jennifer Davis: "172nd Stryker Brigade Tour of Duty in Iraq Extended; Family Members Speak Out Against the War," MFSO press release, July 28, 2006, www.mfso.org.
Rumsfeld sent a SECRET snowflake: Author's review and notes of a SECRET document dated August 2, 2006.
Casey waited a week to
answer: Author's review and notes of a SECRET document dated August 9, 2006.
Rumsfeld went to Fort Wainwright: Rumsfeld made this trip August 26, 2006, according to Robert Burns, "Defense Secretary Praises Soldiers Doing Extra Duty in Iraq, Says Families Should Not Be Angry," Associated Press, August 26, 2006.
One woman asked why her husband: Michael Hastings, "Straight to the Heart," Newsweek, September 18, 2006, p.
36.
In a SECRET snowflake to Pace: Author's review and notes of a SECRET document dated August 26, 2006.
On July 7, President Bush answered: Presidential Documents, July 7, 2006, p. 1290 (Vol. 42, No. 27), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no27.html.
On July 19, Hadley called Rumsfeld: Author's review and notes of a SECRET document.
Rumsfeld snowflaked Casey: Author's review and notes of a SECRET document.
Instead, Casey said: Author's review and notes of a SECRET document.
On July 19, she sent: SECRET document dated July 19, 2006, and declassified by the White House in 2008 in response to specific questions asked by the author.
But other events: Charles Babington, "Stem Cell Bill Gets Bush's First Veto," The Washington Post, July 20, 2006, p. A4; Edward Wong and Michael Slack-man, "Iraqi Denounces Israel's Actions," The New York Times, July 20, 2006, p. A1.
CHAPTER 7
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with six firsthand sources.
* * *
The Army had a SECRET graphic: Author's review and notes of a classified chart. Bush later confirmed: Interview with President George W. Bush, May 20, 2008.
There were 14 major questions: Author's review and notes of a SECRET document dated July 22, 2006.
O'Sullivan prepared a SECRET summary: Author's review and notes of a SECRET summary of the July 22, 2006, SVTS session.
Asked later if this was accurate: Interview with President George W. Bush on May 20, 2008.
CHAPTER 8
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 11 firsthand sources and contemporaneous notes by two participants.
* * *
A dozen top congressional Democrats: Press release, Senator Harry Reid's office, "United House, Senate Democratic Leadership Put Forward Concrete Plan for Change of Course in Iraq," U.S. Federal News, July 31, 2006, accessed via Nexis. On August 1, a roadside bomb: Joshua Partlow and Saad al-Izzi, "Attacks Target Iraqi Soldiers and Police; Dozens of People Die in Series of Shootings, Blasts," The Washington Post, August 2, 2006, p. A11; Damien Cave, "The Struggle for Iraq: Violence," The New York Times, August 3, 2006, p. A13.
Their first session: This study group session with Frist and McConnell is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated August 2, 2006.
The next meeting: This study group session with Warner and Levin is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated August 2, 2006.
The study group members headed: This study group session with Abizaid is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated August 2, 2006.
The next day, August 3, Abizaid testified: Congressional Quarterly Transcriptions, "U.S. Senator John Warner Holds a Hearing on Iraq, Afghanistan and Counterterrorism," Senate Armed Services Committee, August 3, 2006, accessed via Nexis.
On Friday, August 4, Rice appeared: State Department transcript, Interview on MSNBC's Hardball with David Gregory, August 4, 2006, www.state.gov.
The next morning, Saturday, Rice left: Author's review and notes of Rice's schedule.
In an interview two years later: Interview with President George W. Bush, May 20, 2008.
She voiced optimism and disagreed: State Department transcript, interview on NBC's Meet the Press with Tim Russert, August 6, 2006, www.state.gov.
On Monday, Bush and Rice: State Department transcript, "President Bush and Secretary Rice Discuss the Middle East Crisis," Crawford, Texas, August 7, 2006, www.state.gov.
At a political rally in Lancaster: Presidential Documents, August 16, 2006, p. 1463 (Vol. 42, No. 33), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no33.html.
CHAPTER 9
The information in this chapter comes primarily from contemporaneous notes by a participant and background interviews with four firsthand sources.
* * *
In a recent Gallup poll: Frank Newport, "Americans Continue to Call Iraq Involvement a Mistake," Gallup News Service, July 28, 2006; Jeffrey M. Jones, "Latest Bush Approval Rating at 37%," Gallup News Service, August 15, 2006, www.gallup.com. The problem during the Vietnam War: Interview with President George W. Bush on August 20, 2002; see Bob Woodward, Bush at War, p. 168.
Bush later told me: Interview with President George W. Bush on May 20, 2008.
CHAPTER 10
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with five firsthand sources.
* * *
Bush later confirmed to me: Interview with President George W. Bush on May 20, 2008. "Senator, are we winning": MSNBC Transcript, Meet the Press, August 20, 2006, www.msnbc.msn.com/.
The next day, August 21: Presidential Documents, August 21, 2006, pp. 1480ñ1493 (Vol. 42, No. 34), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no34.html.
On Thursday, August 24: David Ignatius, "Returning Some Order to Iraq's Mean Streets," The Washington Post, August 25, 2007, p. A17.
The next day, Casey issued: Author's review and notes of a SECRET document dated August 25, 2006.
I asked President Bush about this August 25 report: Interview with President George W. Bush, May 20, 2008.
On August 30, in Salt Lake City: Presidential Documents, August 30, 3006, pp. 1537ñ1544 (Vol. 42, No. 35), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no35.html.
In the streets of Baghdad: Edward Wong, "Car Bomb and Rockets Kill 43 in Baghdad's Shiite Strongholds," The New York Times, September 1, 2006, p. A6.
The next day, August 31: Notes of a classified document dated August 31, 2006.
The violence unfolding outside the fortified Green Zone: Damien Cave, "Violence Grows, Killing 52 Iraqis, in Face of Security Plan," The New York Times, August 21, 2006, p. A10.
CHAPTER 11
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with six firsthand sources and contemporaneous notes by two participants.
* * *
Seven members of the Iraq Study Group: This study group session with Maliki is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated August 31, 2006. On September 1, the morning after: This study group session with Rubaie is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated September 1, 2006.
Later that day the group met: This study group session with Salih is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated September 1, 2006.
Still later that day came a session: This study group session with Obeidi is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated September 1, 2006.
The next morning, September 2: This study group session with CIA officials is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated September 2, 2006.
Later that day, the group met: This study group session with Jabr is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated September 2, 2006.
The members gathered at the U.S. embassy: This study group session with Chiarelli is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated September 3, 2006.
CHAPTER 12
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with five firsthand sources and contemporaneous notes by two participants.
* * *
Next, the study group met: This study group session with Dempsey and Peterson is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated September 3, 2006. The study group members headed across: This study group session with Hakim is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated September 3, 2006.
Hakim, head of the powerful Shia party
: On May 12, 2007, the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) was renamed the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC). See Damien Cave, "Changes by Iraqi Shiite Party Signal Distancing from Iran," The New York Times, May 13, 2007, p. A6.
On September 5, President Bush addressed: Presidential Documents, September 5, 2006, pp. 1557ñ1565 (Vol. 42, No. 36), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no36.html.
The 29-page document: "National Strategy for Combating Terrorism," The White House, www.whitehouse.gov/nsc/.
On September 11, 2006: Presidential Documents, September 11, 2006, pp. 1597ñ1601 (Vol. 42, No. 37), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no37.html.
For the better part of an hour: Interview with Congressman John Murtha, September 27, 2007, and interviews with other knowledgeable sources.
Several days later, on September 15: Presidential Documents, September 15, 2006, pp. 1607ñ1620 (Vol. 42, No. 37), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no37.html.
So he wrote a memo: Chuck Robb memo to Iraq Study Group members, September 18, 2006.
CHAPTER 13
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with a firsthand source and contemporaneous notes of a participant.
CHAPTER 14
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with five firsthand sources.
* * *
One Saturday morning in September 1991: Interviews with several knowledgeable sources. See also Rick Atkinson, In the Company of Soldiers (New York: Henry Holt, 2004), pp. 37ñ38, and Lois Romano, "When Edwards Nips Senate, Dodd Bites Back," The Washington Post, May 3, 2007, p. A23. On September 19, the same day: Presidential Documents, September 19, 2006, pp. 1638ñ1639 (Vol. 42, No. 38), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no38.html.
The War Within Page 46
