Dirty Wars

by Jeremy Scahill

  418 “in a diplomatic capacity”: Asad Kharal, “After Davis’ Arrest, US Operatives Leaving Pakistan,” Express Tribune, February 28, 2011.

  418 “special Americans”: Ibid.

  418 “The ‘official’ version”: Ali, “The Fallout from the Davis Affair.”

  418 pierced his stomach: Riaz, “‘Raymond Davis Tried to Trick Investigators.’”

  418 At least two shots: Declan Walsh, “A CIA Spy, a Hail of Bullets, Three Killed and a US-Pakistan Diplomatic Row,” Guardian, February 20, 2011.

  419 photographed them: Ibid.

  419 license plate: Asif Chaudhry, “US Official Guns Down Two Motorcyclists in Lahore,” Dawn.com, January 28, 2011.

  419 slammed into the motorcycle: Walsh, “A CIA Spy, a Hail of Bullets.”

  419 made it two miles: Ibid.

  419 Faletti’s Hotel: Riaz, “‘Raymond Davis Tried to Trick Investigators.’”

  419 destroyed all government documents: Cole, “Raymond Davis Is CIA Contractor.”

  419 “They have flown the coop”: Declan Walsh and Ewen MacAskill, “American Who Sparked Diplomatic Crisis over Lahore Shooting Was CIA Spy,” Guardian, February 20, 2011.

  419 called for Davis to be hanged: “Rallies Demand Public Execution of Davis,” Dawn.com, February 12, 2011.

  420 “is not correct”: Riaz, “‘Raymond Davis Tried to Trick Investigators.’”

  420 ordered held for six days: Karin Brulliard and Aoun Sahi, “U.S. Embassy Demands Release of ‘Unlawfully Detained’ Diplomat Who Shot Two Pakistanis,” Washington Post, January 29, 2011.

  420 The United States feared: Peter Bergen, Manhunt: The Ten-Year Search for Bin Laden—from 9/11 to Abbottabad (New York: Crown Publishers, 2012), p. 171.

  420 “Davis incident is a godsend”: “Stuck With You; a Clash Between Spy Agencies Is Boosting the ISI—but Is Doing Pakistan No Favours,” Economist, March 3, 2011.

  421 “I can confirm”: “American Kills Two Pakistanis in Lahore: US Embassy Spokesman Says Investigations Underway,” YouTube video, 3:53, footage from broadcast of Pakistan’s Express 24/7 news network, posted by “theexpresstribune,” January 27, 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXHjR12GGX0.

  421 “employee of U.S. Consulate”: Glenn Kessler, “Who Is Raymond Davis?” Washington Post, February 22, 2011.

  421 “except in the case of a grave crime”: Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963; created April 24, 1963 (entered into force on March 19, 1967), United Nations.

  421 “administrative and technical staff”: Kessler, “Who Is Raymond Davis?”

  421 “unresolved queries”: Baqir Sajjad Syed, “FO Did Not Grant Diplomatic Status to Davis: US,” Dawn.com, February 4, 2011.

  421 “I want blood for blood”: Babar Dogar (AP), “Shumaila Kanwal, Pakistani Woman, Commits Suicide After U.S. Shooting,” Huffington Post, February 6, 2011.

  421 “He was clean”: Rob Crilly, “Widow of Man Shot Dead by US Consul Official Commits Suicide,” Telegraph, February 7, 2011.

  422 “The arrest of this guy”: Ron Moreau and Sami Yousafzai, “Killings Spark CIA Fears in Pakistan,” Newsweek, February 17, 2011.

  422 “whatever else they are up to unilaterally”: Philip Giraldi, on comment thread for post by Brigadier (Ret.) F. B. Ali, “#Update: The Raymond Davis Affair,” Sic Semper Tyrannis (blog), http://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semper_tyrannis/2011/02/update-the-raymond-davis-affair-fb-ali.html.

  422 “We continue to make clear”: Associated Press, “US Ups Pressure on Pakistan over Detained American,” FoxNews.com, February 8, 2011.

  422 preparing to recognize: Ahmad Norrani, “Is Presidency Pushing for Backdated Immunity to Raymond?” News International, February 12, 2011.

  422 “Our expert opinion”: Shah Mahmood Qureshi, “Raymond Davis Does Not Enjoy Immunity,” YouTube video, 7:40, from coverage of a press conference held by Mr. Qureshi, broadcast on the Express 24/7 network, posted by “MrPoliticians,” February 17, 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsF3HpHZdzc.

  422 snubbed Qureshi: Karen DeYoung and Karin Brulliard, “U.S.-Pakistan Relations Strained Further with Case of Jailed Diplomat,” Washington Post, February 8, 2011.

  422 “principled stance”: Qureshi, “Raymond Davis Does Not Enjoy Immunity.”

  422 threatened to withhold: Shaun Tandon, “US Threatens to Cut Pakistan Aid over Shooting,” Agence France-Presse, February 8, 2011.

  422 “In an incendiary environment”: Asif Ali Zardari, “As Pakistan Battles Extremism, It Needs Allies’ Patience and Help,” op-ed Washington Post, March 6, 2011.

  423 three prisoners: Matthew Cole, “U.S. Fears for Life of Outed CIA Contractor in Pakistan Prison,” ABCNews.go.com, February 22, 2011.

  423 tested for poison: Ibid.

  423 “I’m not answering any questions”: “New Video of Raymond Davis Interrogation by Punjab Police, Lahore, Pakistan—WatchGeoNews.com,” YouTube video, 1:03, filmed interrogation of Raymond Davis by Punjab police, broadcast on February 15, 2011, posted by “feelpkcom,” February 15, 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hye2lLBZfI.

  423 “In our view, he acted in self-defense”: Agence France-Presse, “US Defends ‘Diplomat’ Accused of Killing Two in Pakistan,” Dawn, February 1, 2011.

  423 met with President Zardari: Jane Perlez, “Pakistan Delays Ruling on Jailed American,” New York Times, February 17, 2011.

  423 “We have to, respect the law”: Senator John Kerry, “Kerry Regrets Raymond Davis Killing,” YouTube video, 33:03, Express 24/7 network coverage of John Kerry’s media appearance in Lahore, Pakistan, February 15, 2011, posted by “theexpresstribune,” February 15, 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIIXQcOG3tY. Details of the media appearance come from Express 24/7 coverage of the event.

  424 “With respect to Mr. Davis”: Transcript, “Press Conference by the President,” February 15, 2011.

  424 “argued that disclosure of his specific job”: Mark Mazzetti, Ashley Parker, Jane Perlez, and Eric Schmitt, “American Held in Pakistan Worked with C.I.A.,” New York Times, February 21, 2011.

  424 “immediately after the shootings”: Adam Goldman and Kimberly Dozier (AP), “Arrested US Official Raymond Allen Davis Is Actually a CIA Contractor,” Christian Science Monitor, February 21, 2011.

  425 “American official”: Waqar Gillani and Jane Perlez, “Pakistan Extends Jailing of American Held in Two Deaths,” New York Times, February 11, 2011.

  425 “inventory of gadgets”: Jane Perlez, “Mystery over Detained American Angers Pakistan,” New York Times, February 8, 2011.

  425 “It’s one thing”: Glenn Greenwald, “The NYT’s Journalistic Obedience,” Salon.com, February 21, 2011.

  425 “the view that his CIA-ness”: Chris Elliott, “Open Door: Dangerous Decisions,” Guardian, February 27, 2011.

  425 “Our security personnel”: Mazzetti et al., “American Held in Pakistan Worked with C.I.A.”

  425 secret talks: Declan Walsh and Ewen MacAskill, “CIA Spy Escapes Murder Case in Pakistan After US Pays ‘Blood Money,’” Guardian, March 16, 2011.

  425 “all the Ray Davises”: Babar Dogar and Chris Brummit (AP), “Contractor Accused of Murder Released in Pakistan,” Huffington Post, March 16, 2011.

  426 “one of the most complicated relationships”: Current and Projected National Security Threats to the United States, Hearing Before the Select Committee on Intelligence, 111th Cong. 59 (February 16, 2011) (testimony of Leon Panetta, Director of Central Intelligence).

  426 “ready to split with the CIA”: Kathy Gannon and Adam Goldman (AP), “Case of Jailed American Causes Deep Rift in Pakistani Spy Agency’s Relationship with CIA,” Star Tribune, February 24, 2011.

  426 refused to sign: Associated Press, “American: I’m Immune from Pakistan Murder Charge,” CBSNews.com, February 25, 2011.

  426 “bogus references”: Gannon and Goldman, “Case of Jailed American Causes Deep Rift.”

  426 another US security contractor: Declan Walsh, “Pakistan Arrests US Security
Contractor as Rift with CIA Deepens,” Guardian, February 25, 2011.

  426 “most significant events of the last 20 years”: “Another Mysterious American in Pakistan,” Outpost Washington (blog), Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, February 25, 2011, www.rferl.org/content/pakistan_raymond_davis_america_cia_isi/2321321.html.

  426 fled the country: Asad Kharal, “After Davis’ Arrest, US Operatives Leaving Pakistan,” Express Tribune, February 28, 2011.

  426 “have been strong”: Walsh, “Pakistan Arrests US Security Contractor as Rift with CIA Deepens.” Some officials claimed to be reviewing “thousands” of visas.

  427 “Where do you go to think seriously”: General Jehangir Karamat, “The Oman Retreat,” Pakistan Today, February 26, 2011. Pakistan Today published the “readout” of the meeting in Oman between top US and Pakistani officials.

  427 US delegation included: Kevin Baron, “U.S., Pakistan Military Chiefs Hold Secret Talks in Oman,” Stars and Stripes, February 23, 2011.

  427 “They will do nothing behind our backs”: Walsh and MacAskill, “CIA Spy Escapes Murder Case in Pakistan After US Pays ‘Blood Money.’”

  427 “CIA made no pledges”: Carlotta Gall and Mark Mazzetti, “Hushed Deal Frees C.I.A. Contractor in Pakistan,” New York Times, March 16, 2011.

  428 wanted Davis tried and hanged: “CIA Contractor Ray Davis Freed over Pakistan Killings,” BBC.co.uk, March 16, 2011.

  428 forcibly took: Huma Imtiaz, “Behind the Scenes of Raymond Davis’s Release,” Foreign Policy, March 16, 2011.

  428 charged with murder: Walsh and MacAskill, “CIA Spy Escapes Murder Case in Pakistan After US Pays ‘Blood Money.’”

  428 “I and my associate”: “CIA Contractor Ray Davis Freed over Pakistan Killings.”

  428 “Now he can go anywhere”: Babar Dogar (AP), “‘Blood Money’ Frees CIA Contractor in Pakistan,” Washington Times, March 16, 2011.

  428 “The diyyat provision”: Brigadier (Ret.) F. B. Ali, “The Davis Saga ends,” Sic Semper Tyrannis (blog), March 16, 2011, http://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semper_tyrannis/2011/03/the-davis-saga-ends-fb-ali.html.

  428 “did not pay any compensation”: Transcript, “Remarks to the Traveling Press,” Cairo, Egypt, March 16, 2011.

  428 made the payment: Gall and Mazzetti, “Hushed Deal Frees C.I.A. Contractor in Pakistan.”

  428 “special” plane: “Did Davis Board Viper with His Victims’ Heirs?” News International, March 17, 2011.

  429 headed for Bagram: Ron Moreau and Sami Yousafzai, “Blood Money Buys CIA Contractor’s Freedom,” Newsweek, March 16, 2011.

  429 US drone strike: “US Drone Strike ‘Kills Forty’ in Pakistani Tribal Region,” BBC.co.uk, March 17, 2011.

  47: The Tsunami of Change

  430 confiscated his cart: John Thorne, “Bouazizi Has Become a Tunisian Protest ‘Symbol,’” National (UAE), January 13, 2011.

  430 refused to meet him: Kareem Fahim, “Slap to a Man’s Pride Set Off Tumult in Tunisia,” New York Times, January 21, 2011.

  430 nearby gas station: “Tunisia and the Spark That Launched Uprisings,” 60 Minutes, CBS, February 20, 2011.

  430 “The first and probably most important change”: Anwar al Awlaki, “The Tsunami of Change,” Inspire 5 (spring 2011), released March 2011.

  431 opened fire on the crowd: Adrian Blomfield, “Yemen Protests: Evidence Snipers Shot to Kill,” Telegraph, March 19, 2011.

  431 “peaceful youth revolution”: Laura Kasinof, “Yemen General Says Opposition Will Be Ally Against Terrorism,” New York Times, June 22, 2011.

  431 “political solution”: Indira A. R. Lakshmanan, “U.S. Facing Loss of Key Ally Against al-Qaeda Group in Yemen,” Bloomberg, March 22, 2011.

  431 “I don’t think it’s my place”: Transcript, “Media Availability with Secretary Robert Gates from Moscow, Russia,” March 22, 2011.

  432 “The feckless US response”: Author interview, Joshua Foust, March 24, 2011.

  432 “could certainly have a negative impact”: Author interview, Gregory Johnsen, March 2011.

  432 “Hello, Ammar?”: Author interview, Ammar al Awlaki, August 2012. The author relies on Ammar’s account of the meeting in Vienna.

  48: The Fortress in Abbottabad

  434 construction on the residence: Peter Bergen, Manhunt: The Ten-Year Search for bin Laden—from 9/11 to Abbottabad (New York: Crown Publishers, 2012), p. 3. For readers wishing to study the events leading up to the bin Laden raid and the raid itself, the most comprehensive books thus far on these events are Bergen’s Manhunt and Mark Owen, with Kevin Maurer, No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden (New York: Dutton, 2012).

  434 narrow openings: Ibid., p. 4.

  434 bin Laden unit was shuttered: Transcript, “Hunt for Osama Bin Laden Shifts Gears,” Morning Edition, NPR, July 3, 2006.

  435 “number one goal”: Bergen, Manhunt, p. 116.

  435 “I think we’ll get a call”: Michael Hastings, The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan (New York: Blue Rider Press, 2012), p. 92.

  435 identified by various al Qaeda figures: Michael Isikoff, “How Profile of bin Laden Courier Led CIA to Its Target,” NBCNews.com, May 4, 2011.

  435 followed Kuwaiti’s white Suzuki: Bergen, Manhunt, p. 123.

  435 “fortress”: Ibid., p. 124.

  435 burned their trash: Mark Mazzetti, Helene Cooper, and Peter Baker, “Behind the Hunt for Bin Laden,” New York Times, May 2, 2011.

  435 grew their own vegetables: Bergen, Manhunt, pp. 12–13.

  435 twenty-five ways: Ibid., pp. 125–126.

  435 “throw in foul-smelling stink bombs”: Ibid., p. 126.

  436 false Hepatitis B vaccination program: Saeed Shah, “CIA Organised Fake Vaccination Drive to Get Osama bin Laden’s Family DNA,” Guardian, July 11, 2011.

  436 unable to get any DNA samples: Bergen, Manhunt, p. 127.

  436 “Anatomy of a Lead”: Adam Goldman and Matt Apuzzo, “The Man Who Hunted Osama bin Laden,” Associated Press, July 5, 2011. Peter Bergen supplies more details of the memos—the title “Closing In on Usama bin Ladin’s Courier” is also from Bergen, Manhunt, p. 127.

  436 “pattern of life” analysis: Bergen, Manhunt, p. 131.

  436 “the Pacer”: Bob Woodward, “Death of Osama bin Laden: Phone Call Pointed U.S. to Compound—and to ‘the Pacer,’” Washington Post, May 6, 2011.

  436 “First of all, congratulations”: Ibid., pp. 166–167.

  436 “McRaven assigned”: Siobhan Gorman and Julian E. Barnes, “Spy, Military Ties Aided bin Laden Raid,” Wall Street Journal, May 23, 2011.

  437 “Atlantic City”: Ibid.

  437 number of other options: Ibid. Also see Bergen, Manhunt, p. 167.

  437 feared Davis could be killed: Gorman and Barnes, “Spy, Military Ties Aided bin Laden Raid.”

  437 desert in Nevada: Bergen, Manhunt, p. 184.

  438 “wild-goose chase”: Owen, No Easy Day, p. 5.

  438 “almost thirty people in the room”: Ibid., p. 147.

  438 “some kind of dream team”: Ibid., pp. 147–148.

  438 “speculation was rampant”: Ibid., p. 149.

  438 “No fucking way”: Ibid., p. 154.

  438 chosen for the operation: Details of the team makeup come from ibid., p. 158.

  438 “house in amazing detail”: Ibid., p. 160.

  438 “Road to Abbottabad”: Ibid., p. 163.

  439 “accustomed to hearing helicopters”: Ibid., p. 173.

  439 “On this mission”: Ibid., p. 168.

  439 “In terms of difficulty”: Bergen, Manhunt, pp. 185–186.

  439 “it helps that he’s from central casting”: Ibid., p. 185.

  439 “A lawyer from either”: Owen, No Easy Day, p. 177.

  440 “What are the odds”: Conversation between Bissonnette and “Jen,” ibid., pp. 182–184.

  440 8:20 a.m.: Mark Mazzetti and Helene Cooper, “Detective Work on Courie
r Led to Breakthrough on Bin Laden,” New York Times, May 2, 2011.

  440 “It’s a go”: Tom Donilon, interview for History Channel special, Targeting Bin Laden, broadcast September 6, 2011.

  440 “Try not to shoot”: Owen, No Easy Day, p. 192.

  440 promoted to SOCOM commander: Ibid., p. 275.

  440 “And we’ll get Obama reelected”: Ibid., p. 193.

  441 moonless night: Bergen, Manhunt, p. 192.

  441 delay the raid: Ibid., p. 208.

  441 “I couldn’t have any more confidence”: Jake Tapper, “President Obama to National Security Team: ‘It’s a Go,’” Political Punch (blog), ABCNews.go.com, May 2, 2011.

  441 Correspondents’ Dinner: “2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner,” C-Span video, 1:28:17, coverage of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 30, 2011, www.c-spanvideo.org/program/299256-1.

  441 “standing room only”: Owen, No Easy Day, p. 194.

  441 “The story was preposterous”: Ibid., p. 195.

  442 given them the green light: Ibid., p. 196.

  442 around 8:00 a.m.: Bergen, Manhunt, p. 212.

  442 Costco: Nicholas Schmidle, “Getting Bin Laden: What Happened That Night in Abbottabad,” New Yorker, August 8, 2011.

  442 Multiple pizzerias: Interview with President Barack Obama, “Inside the Situation Room,” Rock Center, NBC, May 2, 2012.

  442 At around 1:00 p.m.: Bergen, Manhunt, p. 213.

  442 round of golf: Darlene Superville (AP), “Obama’s Golf Shoes a Clue to bin Laden Raid?” NBCnews.com, May 3, 2011.

  442 could only seat seven people: Bergen, Manhunt, p. 217.

  442 RQ-170 stealth drone, secure communications: Schmidle, “Getting Bin Laden.”

  442 told to stay put: Bergen, Manhunt, p. 217.

  442 inner circle was arguing: Ibid.

  442 “I need to watch this”: Schmidle, “Getting Bin Laden.”

  443 “ended up [on a] folding chair”: Interview with President Barack Obama, “Inside the Situation Room.”

  443 11:00 p.m. in Abbottabad: Bergen, Manhunt, p. 214.

  443 Black Hawks took off: Schmidle, “Getting Bin Laden.”

  443 “It was nail-biting time”: Interview with John Brennan, Targeting Bin Laden, History Channel special, broadcast September 6, 2011.