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ABC Amber ePub Converter Trial version, http://www.processtext.com/abcepub.html Page 1 ABC Amber ePub Converter Trial version, http://www.processtext.com/abcepub.html Simon & Schuster 1230 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 www.SimonandSchuster.com Copyright © 2010 by Bob Woodward All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Simon & Schuster Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. First Simon & Schuster hardcover edition September 2010 SIMON & SCHUSTER and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc. For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or [email protected]. The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event, contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at www.simonspeakers.com. Designed by Paul Dippolito Manufactured in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available. ISBN 978-1-4391-7249-0 ISBN 978-1-4391-7251-3 (ebook) Page 2 ABC Amber ePub Converter Trial version, http://www.processtext.com/abcepub.html CONTENTS Author’s Personal Note Note to Readers Cast of Characters Chapters 1–33 Glossary President Obama’s Final Orders, November 29, 2009 Chapter Notes Acknowledgments Photography Credits Index Page 3 ABC Amber ePub Converter Trial version, http://www.processtext.com/abcepub.html AUTHOR’S PERSONAL NOTE I had two of the most exceptional people assist me full-time on the reporting, writing, editing and thinking about this book: Josh Boak, a 2001 cum laude graduate of Princeton and later of the Columbia University master’s program in journalism, came to work after reporting at The Blade in Toledo, Ohio, and the Chicago Tribune. He may be the most energetic, resourceful, fair-minded and good-natured young man I have had the good fortune to work with. On his résumé he described himself as “skilled in shoe-leather reporting and phone-jockeying.― True, but he is much more. Josh immersed himself in all the details and nuances of the Afghanistan War, the Obama administration and Washington politics. He became a part of my brain—the better part. At times, I came to think he knows everything. What is not in his head, he can and does find almost instantly. He is a skilled writer and a superb investigator. I leaned on Josh, pushed him as he pushed me. We never had even a half-serious disagreement. The result has been permanent trust and permanent friendship. There would be no book without him—not even close. Evelyn M. Duffy, who worked with me on The War Within: A Secret White House History, 2006–2008, continued on this project. Thank God. At age 25 now, she is a wizard at everything—thinking, prodding and again transcribing hundreds of hours of recorded interviews with people ranging from President Obama to generals and intelligence officials. A 2007 English and creative writing graduate of George Washington University, she is a truly gifted writer. She has written and produced a one-act play, Nighthawks, based on Edward Hopper’s famous late-night diner painting. In her spare time, Evelyn has written a stunning young adult novel, which I’m sure will be published soon once I give her time to meet with agents and editors. She is both intellectual and practical—a rare combination. I stand in awe of her maturity, drive and independent spirit. A friend for life, Evelyn left her stamp of integrity on every idea, scene and page in this book. Page 4 ABC Amber ePub Converter Trial version, http://www.processtext.com/abcepub.html NOTE TO READERS A word of explanation about how the information in this book was obtained, evaluated and used. This book is designed to present, as best my reporting could determine, what really happened. The core of this book comes from the written record—National Security Council meeting notes, personal notes, memos, chronologies, letters, PowerPoint slides, e-mails, reports, government cables, calendars, transcripts, diaries and maps. Information in the book was supplied by more than 100 people involved in the Afghanistan War and national security during the first 18 months of President Barack Obama’s administration. Interviews were conducted on “background,― meaning the information could be used but the sources would not be identified by name. Many sources were interviewed five or more times. Most allowed me to record the interviews, which were then transcribed. For several sources, the combined interview transcripts run more than 300 pages. I have attempted to preserve the language of the main characters and sources as much as possible, using their words even when they are not directly quoted, reflecting the flavor of their speech and attitudes. Many key White House aides were interviewed in-depth. They shared meeting notes, important documents, recollections of what happened before, during and after meetings, and assisted extensively with their interpretations. Senior and well-placed military, intelligence and diplomatic officials also provided detailed recollections, read from notes or assisted with documents. Since the reporting was done over 18 months, many interviews were conducted within days or even hours after critical discussions. This often provided a fresher and less-calculated account. Dialogue comes mostly from the written record, but also from participants, usually more than one. Any attribution of thoughts, conclusions or feelings to a person was obtained directly from that person, from notes or from a colleague whom the person told. Occasionally, a source said mid-conversation that something was “off-the-record,― meaning it could not be used unless the information was obtained elsewhere. In many cases, I was able to get the information elsewhere so that it could be included in this book. Some people think they can lock up and prevent publication of information by declaring it “off-the-record― or that they don’t want to see it in the book. But inside any White House, nearly everyone’s business and attitudes become known to others. And in the course of multiple, extensive interviews with firsthand sources about key decision points in the war, the role of the players became clear. Given the diversity of sources, stakes and the lives involved, there is no way I could write a sterilized or laundered version of this story. I interviewed President Obama on-the-record in the Oval Office for one hour and 15 minutes on Saturday, July 10, 2010. Bob Woodward July 25, 2010 Washington, D.C. Page 5 ABC Amber ePub Converter Trial version, http://www.processtext.com/abcepub.html CAST OF CHARACTERS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES Barack H. Obama VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES Joseph R. Biden THE WHITE HOUSE White House Chief of Staff Rahm I. Emanuel Senior Adviser to the President David M. Axelrod White House Press Secretary Robert L. Gibbs NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL National Security Adviser General James L. Jones, U.S. Marine Corps, retired Deputy National Security Adviser Thomas E. Donilon Senior Adviser and Coordinator for Afghanistan-Pakistan Lieutenant General Douglas E. Lute, U.S. Army, retired National Security Council Chief of Staff Mark W. Lippert January 20, 2009–October 2, 2009 Denis McDonough October 2, 2009– Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security John O. Brennan National Security Adviser to the Vice President Antony J. Blinken Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications Benjamin Rhodes Chairman, Interagency Policy Review of Afghanistan-Pakistan Bruce O. Riedel February 10–March 27, 2009 Page 6 ABC Amber ePub Converter Trial version, http://www.processtext.com/abcepub.html DEPARTMENT OF STATE Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard C. Holbrooke United States Ambassador to Afghanistan Lieutenant General Karl W. Eikenberry, U.S. Army, retired United States Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates Undersecretary for Policy Michèle A. Flournoy Pentagon Press Secretary Geoffrey S. Morrell THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY Director of National Intelligence Vice Admiral Michael McConnell, U.S. Navy, retired February 13, 2007–January 29, 2009 Admiral Dennis C. Blair, U.S. Navy, retired January 29, 2009–May 28, 2010 Director of the Central Intelligence Agency General Michael V. Hayden, U.S. Air Force, retired May 30, 2006–February 19, 2009 Leon Panetta February 19, 2009– Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Stephen R. Kappes July 25, 2006–April 14, 2010 Michael J. Morell May 6, 2010–(previously CIA Director for Intelligence, 2006–2010) UNITED STATES MILITARY Commander, United States Central Command General David H. Petraeus, U.S. Army October 31, 2008–June 30, 2010 Commander, U.S. and NATO forces, Afghanistan General David D. McKiernan, U.S. Army June 3, 2008–June 15, 2009 General Stanley A. McChrystal, U.S. Army June 15, 2009–June 23, 2010 General David H. Petraeus, U.S. Army July 4, 2010– Page 7 ABC Amber ePub Converter Trial version, http://www.processtext.com/abcepub.html Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael G. Mullen, U.S. Navy Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General James E. “Hoss― Cartwright, U.S. Marine