That same day, September 20: Author's review and notes of a SECRET intelligence document dated September 20, 2006.
Later, when I asked the president: Interview with President George W. Bush on May 20, 2008.
He forwarded copies of the report: Author's review and notes of a SECRET snowflake.
CHAPTER 15
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with six firsthand sources.
CHAPTER 16
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with nine firsthand sources.
* * *
On September 30, General Casey presented: SECRET document dated September 30, 2006, declassified by the White House in 2008 in response to specific questions asked by the author. Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina senator: Jim Davenport, "McCain Says Mistakes Made in Iraq War,"
Associated Press, October 25, 2006.
Virginia Senator George Allen: Tom Raum, "Republicans Worry They'll Pay Heavy Political Price for War,"
Associated Press, October 23, 2006.
Kay Bailey Hutchison: Ibid.
In Reno, Nevada, on October 2: Presidential Documents, October 2, 2006, pp. 1713ñ1718 (Vol. 40, No. 40), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no40.html.
In Arizona, on October 4: Presidential Documents, October 4, 2006, pp. 1734ñ1740 (Vol. 40, No. 40), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no40.html.
CHAPTER 17
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with nine firsthand sources.
* * *
They descended into the secure conference room: Bernard E. Trainor, "Inside the 'Tank': Bowls of Candy and Big Brass," The New York Times, January 11, 1988, p. A16. At 10:45 A.M. on October 10: Author's review and notes of a SECRET snowflake dated October 10, 2006.
At 11 A.M. on October 11: Presidential Documents, October 11, 2006, pp. 1782ñ1796 (Vol. 42, No. 41), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no41.html.
On the Sunday, October 15, television talk shows: Nedra Pickler, "Two Republican Senators Call for a New Strategy in Iraq," Associated Press, October 15, 2006.
At 7:40 the next morning: Author's review and notes of a SECRET summary dated October 16, 2006.
CHAPTER 18
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with eight firsthand sources.
* * *
On Thursday, October 19, in Baghdad: MNF-I press briefing, October 19, 2006, www.mnf-iraq.com.
A few days later, Rumsfeld sent a snowflake: Author's review and notes of a SECRET snowflake dated October 23, 2006.
That same afternoon at the White House: White House press briefing, October 23, 2006, www.whitehouse.gov/news.
As promised, Khalilzad and Casey: MNF-I press conference, October 23, 2006, www.mnf-iraq.com.
On Wednesday, October 25: Presidential Documents, October 25, 2006, pp. 1877ñ1890 (Vol. 42, No. 43), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no43.html.
CHAPTER 19
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with four firsthand sources.
* * *
Satterfield drafted a SECRET/NODIS: Notes of a SECRET document dated October 31, 2006. "The outcome will determine": Presidential Documents, October 25, 2006, pp. 1877ñ1890 (Vol. 42, No. 43), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no43.html.
She called it "The Way Forward": SECRET document declassified by the White House in 2008 in response to specific questions asked by the author.
CHAPTER 20
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 11 firsthand sources.
* * *
Bush later told me: Interview with President George W. Bush, May 20, 2008. How did you pick Gates: Ibid.
The colonels eventually pieced together slides: According to the notes of a participant.
On Sunday, November 5, Bush welcomed Gates: Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Jim Rutenberg, "Rumsfeld Resigns; Bush Vows 'to Find Common Ground'; Focus Is on Virginia," The New York Times, November 9, 2006, p. A1.
"He worked in, you know": Interview with President George W. Bush, May 20, 2008.
They debated a list: According to the notes of a participant.
On November 6, the day before: "Rumsfeld's Memo of Options for Iraq War," The New York Times, p. A28.
Contents confirmed by a knowledgeable administration source in 2008.
When I asked the president two years later: Interview with President George W. Bush, May 20, 2008.
In a five-page SECRET memo: Michael Gordon, "Bush Adviser's Memo Cites Doubts About Iraqi Leader," The New York Times, November 29, 2006, p. A1; "Text of the National Security Adviser's Memorandum on the Political Situation in Iraq," The New York Times, November 29, 2006, p. A19. Contents confirmed by a knowledgeable administration source in 2008.
Hadley dispatched a SECRET memo: SECRET document dated November 11, 2006, and declassified by the White House in 2008 in response to specific questions asked by the author.
CHAPTER 21
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with ten firsthand sources and contemporaneous notes by two participants.
* * *
Just after 8 A.M. on November 13: This study group session with President Bush is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated November 13, 2006. I later asked the president: Interview with President Bush, May 20, 2008.
When I spoke to the president later: Ibid.
After the president left: This study group session with Casey is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated November 13, 2006.
After the video teleconference: This study group session with Hayden is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated November 13, 2006.
Next up was Khalilzad: This study group session with Khalilzad is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated November 13, 2006.
CHAPTER 22
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with seven firsthand sources and contemporaneous notes by two participants.
* * *
At 1 P.M., Secretary Rice sat down: This study group session with Rice is based on dictated notes from the IraqStudy Group's record, dated November 13, 2006. Rumsfeld and Pace arrived at 2 P.M.: This study group session with Rumsfeld and Pace is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated November 13, 2006.
The next day, November 14: This study group session with Blair is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated November 14, 2006.
At 2:30 that afternoon: This study group session with President Clinton is based on dictated notes from the Iraq Study Group's record, dated November 14, 2006.
CHAPTER 23
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with nine firsthand sources.
* * *
His SECRET briefing paper had read: Author's review and notes of a SECRET document dated November 16, 2006. "The original objectives of America's invasion": Author's review and notes of "Advancing America's Interests: Preserving Iraq's Independence," a SECRET document dated November 17, 2006.
On November 18, the Defense Department representatives: Author's review and notes of a SECRET document dated November 18, 2006.
The SECRET paper from the two Joint Staff generals: Author's review and notes of a SECRET document.
David Gordon, the representative: Details from the document given to the author by a knowledgeable source.
CHAPTER 24
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with nine firsthand sources.
* * *
Tom Ricks, a well-sourced Pentagon reporter: Thomas E. Ricks, "Pentagon May Suggest Short-Term Buildup Leading to Iraqi Exit," The Washington Post, November 20, 2006, p. A1. On November 26, the Sunday after Thanksgiving: Author's review and notes of a SECRET document. A similar document was declassified by the White H
ouse in 2008 in response to specific questions asked by the author.
He then presented a chart of nine key assumptions: Author's review and notes of a SECRET chart. A similar chart was declassified by the White House in 2008 in response to specific questions asked by the author.
Meese recounted how Reagan had made the decision: Author interview with Edwin Meese, June 15, 2007. The United States invaded the tiny Caribbean island of Grenada in 1983 after extremists, allegedly supported by Cuba and possibly the Soviet Union, staged a coup and overthrew the government. In addition, about 1,000 Americans were on the island and potentially needed protection or rescue.
CHAPTER 25
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with four firsthand sources.
* * *
"He was proud of his plan": Interview with President George W. Bush, May 20, 2008. Later, Bush told me about Maliki in Amman: Ibid.
In a joint press conference: Presidential Documents, November 30, 2006, pp. 2104ñ2121 (Vol. 42, No. 48), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no48.html.
And in a joint statement: Presidential Documents, November 30, 2006, p. 2112 (Vol. 42, No. 48), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no48.html.
The week before, a barrage of car bombs: Sudarsan Raghavan, "Sadr Casts a Shadow over Bush-Maliki Meeting,"
The Washington Post, November 30, 2006, p. A19.
About this time, reporter David Sanger: David Sanger, "Panel to Weigh Overture by U.S. to Iran and Syria," The New York Times, November 27, 2006, p. A1; David Sanger, "Iraq Panel to Recommend Pullback of Combat Troops," The New York Times, November 30, 2006, p. A1.
On December 5, former President George H. W. Bush: Peggy Noonan, "A Father's Tears," The Wall Street Journal, December 8, 2006.
CHAPTER 26
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 13 firsthand sources and contemporaneous notes by two participants.
* * *
Bob Gates headed to the Senate: Congressional Quarterly Transcriptions, "U.S. Senator John Warner Holds a Hearing on the Nomination of Robert Gates to Be U.S. Secretary of Defense," Senate Armed Services Committee, December 5, 2006. When I later asked the president: Interview with President George W. Bush, May 21, 2008.
"I just received": Presidential Documents, December 6, 2006, pp. 2126ñ2127 (Vol. 42, No. 49), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no49.html.
Bush said later that he understood: Interview with President George W. Bush, May 20, 2008.
The news media treated: Michael Abramowitz and Robin Wright, "Iraq Panel Proposes Major Strategy Shift," The Washington Post, December 7, 2006, p. A1; David Sanger, "Panel Urges Basic Shift in U.S. Policy in Iraq," The New York Times, December 7, 2006, p. A1.
"This was such a sobering report!": David Montgomery, "Footnote to History: Rituals of Delivering the Iraq Report," The Washington Post, December 7, 2006, p. C1.
"There's almost a biblical thing": Ibid.
One SECRET document: Document dated December 7, 2006, and declassified by the White House in 2008 in response to specific questions asked by the author.
Another five-page SECRET document: Document dated December 7, 2006, and declassified by the White House in 2008 in response to specific questions asked by the author.
At the NSC meeting December 8: Notes of a participant at the December 8, 2006, NSC meeting and interviews with other knowledgeable sources.
In a later interview, Bush told me: Interview with President George W. Bush, May 20, 2008.
CHAPTER 27
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with six firsthand sources.
* * *
The NSC gathered at 7 A.M.: Notes of a participant at the December 9, 2006, NSC meeting and interviews with other knowledgeable sources. Early the next Monday: Notes of a participant at the December 11, 2006, NSC meeting and interviews with other knowledgeable sources.
CHAPTER 28
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with eight firsthand sources.
* * *
On Monday, December 11: Notes and several knowledgeable sources' accounts of the meeting held at the White House on December 11, 2006. At 10:30 that morning: Presidential Documents, December 11, 2006, pp. 2151ñ2152 (Vol. 42, No. 50), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v42no50.html.
The next day, Tuesday, December 12: Notes of a participant at the December 12, 2006, NSC meeting and interviews with other knowledgeable sources.
He wrote in green pen: Author's review and notes of a SECRET document.
Of course, Casey had also presented: Author's review and notes of a SECRET document called "Iraq Security Way Ahead," dated December 12, 2006.
"The tank meeting was a very important meeting": Interview with President George W. Bush, May 21, 2008.
CHAPTER 29
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with eight firsthand sources.
* * *
Bush was quoted as saying: Peter Baker, "U.S. Not Winning War in Iraq, Bush Says for 1st Time," The Washington Post, December 20, 2006, p. A1. Typically, 20 counterinsurgents: United States Army and United States Marine Corps, The U.S. Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual, 2007.
The president later told me: Interview with President George W. Bush, May 20, 2008.
CHAPTER 30
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with nine firsthand sources.
* * *
"I'm not sure I bought the last card": Interview with President George W. Bush, May 21, 2008. At about five the next morning: Notes and a knowledgeable source's account of the meeting held at President Bush's Crawford ranch on December 28, 2006.
That same Thursday, the new Congress: Jonathan Weisman and Shailagh Murray, "Democrats Take Control on Hill," The Washington Post, January 5, 2007, p. A1.
"The election of 2006": Press release, "Pelosi Calls for a New America, Built on the Values That Made Our Country Great," January 4, 2007, www.house.gov/pelosi.
CHAPTER 31
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with five firsthand sources.
* * *
On January 6, 2007, Maliki said: "Iraqi PM Addresses Army on Saddam Execution, Baghdad Security Plan," BBC Monitoring International Reports transcript, January 6, 2007.
On Wednesday, January 10, about 2 P.M.: "MSNBC Interview with Senator John McCain (R-AZ); Subject: Iraq, Interviewed by Tim Russert," Federal News Service, January 10, 2007, www.fnsg.com.
"The situation in Iraq is unacceptable": Presidential Documents, January 10, 2007, pp. 19ñ23 (Vol. 43, No. 2), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v43no2.html.
Minutes after the president finished speaking: MSNBC Transcript, Hardball, January 10, 2007, www.msnbc.msn.com.
Republican Senator George Voinovich: Dana Milbank, "The Secretary vs. the Senators," The Washington Post, January 12, 2007, p. A1.
Republican senator and Vietnam veteran Chuck Hagel: Anne E. Kornblut, "Devastating Criticism by Both Parties,"
The New York Times, January 12, 2007, A12.
"Prior to the Samarra bombing": Interview with President George W. Bush, May 21, 2008.
"If what you're trying to do": Interview with President George W. Bush, May 20, 2008.
CHAPTER 32
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with six firsthand sources.
* * *
"The commanders on the ground in Iraq": Presidential Documents, January 11, 2007, pp. 25ñ30 (Vol. 43, No. 2), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v43no2.html. Susan Collins, the independent-minded: "Hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee; Subject: Nomination of Lieutenant General David H. Petraeus, U.S. Army, to Be General and Commander, Multinational Forces Iraq,"
Federal News Service, January 23, 2007, www.fnsg.com.
Three days later, on January 26: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes, 110th Congress, 1st Session, January 26, 2
007, www.senate.gov.
On January 30, 2007: "Hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee; Subject: The Nomination of Admiral William Fallon for Appointment to the Grade of Admiral and to Be Commander, U.S. Central Command," Federal News Service, January 30, 2007, www.fnsg.com.
He declared the situation: General David Petraeus's change of command remarks, MNF-I change of command, February 10, 2007, www.mnf-iraq.com.
He sent a short letter to everyone: Commanding General's Letter to the Troops for February, February 9, 2007, www.mnf-iraq.com.
"With the advantage of hindsight": Presidential Documents, February 19, 2007, pp. 182ñ183 (Vol. 43, No. 8), www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/v43no8.html.
"President Truman made clear": Press release, "President Delivers Commencement Address at the United States Military Academy at West Point," May 27, 2006, www.whitehouse.gov.
Gates had said during: "Hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee; Subject: Defense Department Fiscal Year 2008 Budget and Fiscal Year 2007 Supplemental," Federal News Service, February 6, 2007, www.fnsg.com.
CHAPTER 33
The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 10 firsthand sources.
The War Within Page 47
