180 Within an hour Within an hour: Author conference call with Marcus Brauchli, a Washington Post Washington Post lawyer, Secretary Gates, General Jones, Tom Donilon and General James E. Cartwright, September 19, 2009. lawyer, Secretary Gates, General Jones, Tom Donilon and General James E. Cartwright, September 19, 2009.

181 At a press conference two weeks earlier At a press conference two weeks earlier: Press conference with Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen, September 3, 2009, http://www.defense.gov/transcripts.

181 In addition, Obama was appearing on five In addition, Obama was appearing on five: "Highlights," The Washington Post The Washington Post, September 19, 2009, p. C8.

181 On Sunday, Brauchli On Sunday, Brauchli: Eleven A.M. meeting at the Pentagon attended by the author, Marcus Brauchli, Rajiv Chandrasekaran, General Cartwright, Geoff Morrell and Michele Flournoy, September 20, 2009.

182 Brauchli noted that Gates and others Brauchli noted that Gates and others: Federal News Service, Hearing of the Defense Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Subject: Federal Budget for Fiscal Year 2010, Witnesses: Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, and Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, June 9, 2009.

182 That evening, the Pentagon provided That evening, the Pentagon provided: Both a PDF version (http://www.washingtonpost.com/ wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/21/AR2009092100110.html ?sid=ST2009092003140) of the assessment are available on the Washington Post Washington Post's Web site. 182 The headline in the September 21 The headline in the September 21: Bob Woodward, "McChrystal: More Forces or 'Mission Failure,'" The Washington Post The Washington Post, September 21, 2009, p. A1.

182 Within a few minutes Within a few minutes, The New York Times: Eric Schmitt and Thom Shanker, "General Calls for More Troops to Avoid Afghanistan Failure," The New York Times The New York Times, September 21, 2009, p. A1.

183 Retired Army Colonel Pat Lang Retired Army Colonel Pat Lang: Pat Lang, "An Interesting Monday," Sic Semper Tyrannis Sic Semper Tyrannis (blog), September 21, 2009, (blog), September 21, 2009, http://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic _semper_tyrannis/2009/09/an-interesting -monday.html.

183 Peter Feaver, who had been on Peter Feaver, who had been on: Peter Feaver, "Bob Woodward Strikes Again! (McChrystal assessment edition)," Shadow Government Shadow Government (blog), September 21, 2009, (blog), September 21, 2009, http://shadow.foreignpolicy.com/posts/ 2009/09/21/bob_woodward_strikes_again _mcchrystal_assessment_edition.

183 At the morning press briefing At the morning press briefing: Air Force One press gaggle by Robert Gibbs, September 21, 2009, http://www.whitehouse.gov.

183 In my interview with the president In my interview with the president: Interview with President Barack H. Obama, July 10, 2010.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 14 firsthand sources.

186 It had already appeared It had already appeared: Brad Knickerbocker, "Obama Faces Critical Decision on How to Proceed in Afghanistan," Christian Science Monitor Christian Science Monitor, September 26, 2009, p. 10; Elisabeth Bumiller, "Top Officers Weigh Need to Increase Troop Levels," New York Times New York Times, September 26, 2009, p. A4.

186 At 3 At 3 P.M P.M. on Wednesday, September 30: Peter Baker, "Inside the Situation Room: How a War Plan Evolved," The New York Times The New York Times, December 6, 2009, p. A1.

192 The 11-page document The 11-page document: Author's review and dictated notes of "Resourcing the ISAF implementation strategy," General McChrystal's SECRET/NOFORM September 24, 2009, troop request.

192 McChrystal listed three McChrystal listed three: Ibid.

193 Around that time, the CBS show Around that time, the CBS show: David Martin, "McChrystal's Frank Talk on Afghanistan," 60 Minutes 60 Minutes, CBS, September 27, 2009.

193 The bloggers pounced The bloggers pounced: Peter Baker, "From General's Mouth to Obama's Ear," The New York Times The New York Times, September 30, 2009, p. A12.

193 Obama was flying Obama was flying: Peter Slevin, "Obama's Personal Bid for the Olympics," The Washington Post The Washington Post, September 20, 2009, p. A1.

193 During McChrystal's October 1 speech During McChrystal's October 1 speech: General Stanley McChrystal, special address on Afghanistan to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), October 1, 2009, http://www.iiss.org/recent-key-addresses/general-stanley-mcchrystal-address/.

193 After his prepared remarks After his prepared remarks: John F. Burns, "Top U.S. Commander in Afghanistan Rejects Scaling Down Military Objectives," The Washington Post The Washington Post, October 2, 2009, p. A12.

194 Obama and McChrystal met Obama and McChrystal met: Michael D. Shear, "McChrystal Flown to Denmark to Discuss War with Obama," The Washington Post The Washington Post, October 3, 2009, p. A4; Peter Baker, "Obama Meets Top Afghan Commander as He Mulls Change in War Strategy," The New York Times The New York Times, October 3, 2009, p. A6.

195 In his 1995 book In his 1995 book, In Retrospect: Robert S. McNamara, In Retrospect In Retrospect (New York: Vintage, 1996), pp. 18788. (New York: Vintage, 1996), pp. 18788.

198 The criticism had grown so intense The criticism had grown so intense: Karen DeYoung, "In Frenetic White House, a Low-Key 'Outsider,'" The Washington Post The Washington Post, May 7, 2009, p. A1; Helene Cooper, "National Security Adviser Takes Less Visible Approach to His Job," The New York Times The New York Times, May 7, 2009, p. A10.

198 On June 11, Fox News On June 11, Fox News: "Jones on the Outs with Obama?" Fox News, June 11, 2009, http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06/11/ jones-outs-obama-gates-defends- national-security-adviser/.

198 On October 1, the day of the McChrystal speech On October 1, the day of the McChrystal speech: White House press release, Deputy National Security Adviser, NSC Chief of Staff Mark Lippert Returning to Active Duty in the US Navy, October 1, 2009, http://www.whitehouse.gov.

198 Jones was quoted as saying Jones was quoted as saying: Ibid. 201 It reimbursed allies It reimbursed allies: "Combating Terrorism: Increased Oversight and Accountability Needed over Pakistan Reimbursement Claims for Coalition Support Funds," U.S. Government Accountability Office, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-806.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 13 firsthand sources.

204 Clinton and Gates went off Clinton and Gates went off: Roundtable discussion with Secretary Gates, Secretary Clinton, Christiane Amanpour and Frank Sesno, October 5, 2009, http://www.gwu.edu/explore/aboutgw/ thegwexperience/secretariesgatesc lintondiscussdefenseanddiplomacy.

204 At 2:30 At 2:30 P.M P.M. on October 6: See Scott Wilson, "Afghan Strategy Divides Lawmakers," The Washington Post The Washington Post, October 7, 2009, p. A1.

205 But Graham's comments a few days earlier But Graham's comments a few days earlier: Senator Lindsey Graham Interview with Fox News, Fox News Sunday Fox News Sunday, October 6, 2009, http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=5021.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 10 firsthand sources.

213 Obama awoke that next morning Obama awoke that next morning: Scott Wilson, "Nobel for Obama Brings Praise, Ire," The Washington Post The Washington Post, October 10, 2008, p. A1.

214 He had published one short story He had published one short story: Ben Rhodes, "The Goldfish Smiles, You Smile Back," Beloit Fiction Journal Beloit Fiction Journal, vol. 15, Spring 2002.

214 Obama appeared at a podium Obama appeared at a podium: Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents, October 9, 2009, Remarks on Winning the Nobel Peace Prize, http://www.gpoaccess.gov/presdocs/2009 /DCPD-200900793.htm.

CHAPTER NINETEEN The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 10 firsthand sources.

231 " "This is a long war": See "Vietnam, Not Afghanistan, Still Longest War: Holbrooke," The Two-Way The Two-Way (blog), NPR, June 7, 2010, (blog), NPR, June 7, 2010, http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/06/vietnam_not_afghanistan_still.html.

CHAPTER TWENTY The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 11 firsthand sources.

234 The Afghanistan commander responded The Afghanistan commander responded: Contents described to the author by a knowledgeable source.

237 Under the law as a member Under the law as a member: See U.S. Code, Title 10, Subtitle A, Part I, Chapter 5 Chapter 5, 151, Subsection d, http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html /uscode10/usc_sec_10_00000151____000-.html.

237 And the law said that the chairman And the law said that the chairman: Ibid.

242 At least one copy never made it back At least one copy never made it back: Author review and dictated notes of Petraeus's October 14, 2009, memo entitled "Lessons on Reconciliation."

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 13 firsthand sources.

246 The Washington Post The Washington Post and ABC News and ABC News: ABC News/Washington Post Poll: Afghanistan, "Drop for Obama on Afghanistan; Few See a Clear Plan for the War," October 21, 2009, Poll: Afghanistan, "Drop for Obama on Afghanistan; Few See a Clear Plan for the War," October 21, 2009, http://abcnews.go.com/images/PollingUnit/ 1095a3Afghanistan.pdf.

247 Former Vice President Dick Cheney Former Vice President Dick Cheney: "Cheney: 'We Cannot Protect This Country by Putting Politics over Security, and Turning the Guns on Our Own Guys,'" former Vice President Dick Cheney, October 21, 2009, http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/p18209.xml.

247 At the White House press briefing At the White House press briefing: White House press briefing by Robert Gibbs, October 22, 2009, http://www.whitehouse.gov.

249 A survey of the Kandahar population A survey of the Kandahar population: "District Assessment: Kandahar-city, Kandahar Province," commissioned by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, November 2009, p. 23.

249 The survey was later heralded The survey was later heralded: Major General Michael T. Flynn, USA, Captain Matt Pottinger, USMC, and Paul D. Batchelor, DIA, "Fixing Intel: A Blueprint for Making Intelligence Relevant in Afghanistan," Center for a New American Security, January 2010, p. 25, footnote 10, http://www.cnas.org/files/documents/ publications/AfghanIntel_Flynn_Jan2010_ code507_voices.pdf 255 Just before midnight Just before midnight: Michael Fletcher and Ann Gerhart, "In Pre-Dawn Darkness, Obama Salutes Victims of War," The Washington Post The Washington Post, October 30, 2009, p. A2; Jeff Zeleny, "Obama Visits Air Base to Honor Returning Dead," The New York Times The New York Times, October 30, 2009, p. A16.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 12 firsthand sources.

260 On October 30, Gates sent Obama On October 30, Gates sent Obama: Author's review and dictated notes of Secretary Gates's October 30, 2009, memo.

261 The U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan had sent The U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan had sent: Eikenberry's cables can be viewed in document form at http://documents.nytimes.com/eikenberry-s-memos-on-the-strategy-in-afghanistan. See also Elisabeth Bumiller and Mark Landler, "Envoy Expresses Doubt on Forces for Afghanistan," The New York Times The New York Times, November 12, 2009, p. A1; and Eric Schmitt, "Cables Detail Envoy's Worry on Karzai Role," The New York Times The New York Times, January 26, 2010, p. A1.

263 Newsweek Newsweek had put him on its cover had put him on its cover: Cover story, Rod Nordland, "Iraq's Repairman," Newsweek Newsweek, July 5, 2004, p. 22.

264 Only about 42 percent of the Afghan populace Only about 42 percent of the Afghan populace: Central Intelligence Agency, "Afghanistan," The World Factbook The World Factbook, 2009, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/af.html.

264 So for example, they would not have to worry So for example, they would not have to worry: Ibid.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 10 firsthand sources.

266 About noon on Veterans Day About noon on Veterans Day: Jeff Zeleny, "Obama Salutes Fallen Americans on Veterans Day," The New York Times on the Web The New York Times on the Web, November 12, 2009, http://www.gpoaccess.gov/presdocs/ 2009/DCPD-200900902.htm.

266 They walked around Section 60 They walked around Section 60: Rick Atkinson, "Where Valor Rests," Washington, D.C.: National Geographic National Geographic, 2009, p. 21.

266 Around 2 Around 2 P.M P.M. on Veterans Day: CNN Newsroom, CNN, November 11, 2009, http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS.

268 The The Journal Journal story quoted story quoted: Peter Spiegel, "Obama Receives New Afghan Option," The Wall Street Journal The Wall Street Journal, November 11, 2009, p. A10.

272 Eikenberry wrote Eikenberry wrote: Eikenberry's cables can be viewed in document form at http://documents.nytimes.com/eikenberry-s-memos-on-the-strategy-in-afghanistan. See also Elisabeth Bumiller and Mark Landler, "Envoy Expresses Doubt on Forces for Afghanistan," The New York Times The New York Times, November 12, 2009, p. A1; and Eric Schmitt, "Cables Detail Envoy's Worry on Karzai Role," The New York Times The New York Times, January 26, 2010, p. A1.

275 In my interview with the president In my interview with the president: Interview with President Barack H. Obama, July 10, 2010.

279 This was the second lesson This was the second lesson: Gordon M. Goldstein, Lessons in Disaster Lessons in Disaster (New York: Times Books, 2008), p. 69. (New York: Times Books, 2008), p. 69.

279 I later pressed the president twice I later pressed the president twice: Interview with President Barack H. Obama, July 10, 2010.

279 "Hooah, Sir!" Dowd said, using the universal "Hooah, Sir!" Dowd said, using the universal: This loose definition of "hooah" is frequently cited but rarely explained by members of the military. According to a humorous definition on usmilitary.about.com, definitions of "hooah" can include: "Referring to or meaning anything and everything except 'no,'" "What to say when at a loss for words," "Message received," "Welcome," "I don't know the answer, but I'll check on it," "I haven't the foggiest idea," "Thank you," "Go to the next slide," "I don't know what that means, but I'm too embarrassed to ask for clarification" and "Amen!" See Rod Powers, "Dictionary Definition of Hooah," Military Jokes and Humor, http://usmilitary.about.com/od/militaryhumor /a/hooahdef.htm. See also Martha Brant, "West Wing Story: You're in the Army Now," Newsweek (Web Exclusive) Newsweek (Web Exclusive), December 19, 2002.

281 Three days later, Mullen Three days later, Mullen: Author's review of the graph entitled "Alternative Mission in Afghanistan," November 14, 2009.

282 In my interview with the president In my interview with the president: Interview with President Barack H. Obama, July 10, 2010.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 14 firsthand sources.

284 "I don't think anybody believes" "I don't think anybody believes": Jenna Jordan, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Chicago, published a study in late 2009 that suggested the targeted killing of terrorist group leaders was mostly ineffective at stopping the group. Her study, "When Heads Roll: Assessing the Effectiveness of Leadership Decapitation," examined 298 incidents between 1945 and 2004. It found that large, decades-old, religious-based groups were largely resilient to targeted killing. Jordan wrote, "Decapitation is not ineffective merely against religious, old, or large groups, it is actually counterproductive for many of the terrorist groups currently being targeted. In many cases, targeting a group's leadership actually lowers its rate of decline. ... Moreover, going after the leader may strengthen a group's resolve, result in retaliatory attacks, increase public sympathy for the organization, or produce more lethal attacks." See Jenna Jordan, "When Heads Roll: Assessing the Effectiveness of Leadership Decapitation," http://cpost.uchicago.edu/pdf/Jordan.pdf. See also Andrew Exum, "Two Documents of Note: The Ridiculous and the Sublime," Abu Muqawama Abu Muqawama (blog), April 14, 2010, (blog), April 14, 2010, http://www.cnas.org/blogs/abumuqawama/ 2010/04/two-documents-note-ridiculous -and-sublime.html.

284 In the two-page letter In the two-page letter: Author's review of President Obama's letter to President Zardari, November 11, 2009.

287 Later in November, Zardari answered Obama Later in November, Zardari answered Obama: Author's review of President Zardari's letter to President Obama, November 25, 2009. 289 The president told me The president told me: Interview with President Barack H. Obama, July 10, 2010.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with nine firsthand sources.

307 Obama had met that week Obama had met that week: Michael D. Shear and Paul Kane, "President vs. Party on Troop Increase," The Washington Post The Washington Post, November 26, 2009, p. A1. 307 On a conference call with bloggers On a conference call with bloggers: Ibid.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with eight firsthand sources.

311 When I asked the president about this advice When I asked the president about this advice: Interview with President Barack H. Obama, July 10, 2010.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with three firsthand sources.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with nine firsthand sources.

328 After the 9/11 attacks, President Bush After the 9/11 attacks, President Bush: Bob Woodward, Bush at War Bush at War (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2002), p. 30. (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2002), p. 30.

331 " "The days of providing a blank check are over": President Obama, Address to the Nation on the Way Forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan, December 1, 2009, http://www.whitehouse.gov.

331 I went back and read Eisenhower's I went back and read Eisenhower's: President Dwight Eisenhower, Farewell Address, January 17, 1961, http://millercenter.org/scripps/archive/ speeches/detail/3361.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 10 firsthand sources.

334 Obama, wearing a dark suit Obama, wearing a dark suit: President Obama, Remarks at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, December 1, 2009, http://www.gpoaccess.gov/presdocs/2009 /DCPD-200900962.htm.

335 Although most news coverage Although most news coverage: Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Helene Cooper, "Obama Adds Troops, but Maps Exit Plan," The New York Times The New York Times, December 2, 2009, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/02/world /asia/02prexy.html.

335 The day after the West Point speech The day after the West Point speech: Federal News Service, Hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Subject: Afghanistan, December 2, 2009.

337 Later, at the White House press briefing Later, at the White House press briefing: Chip Reid, "White House: July 2011 Is Locked In for Afghanistan Withdrawal," Political Hotsheet Political Hotsheet (blog), December 2, 2009, (blog), December 2, 2009, http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162 -5868282-503544.html.

337 Gates went to Afghanistan and declared Gates went to Afghanistan and declared: Media availability with Secretary Gates en route to Afghanistan, December 8, 2009, http://www.defense.gov/transcripts.

337 At a December 13 regional security conference At a December 13 regional security conference: Address by General Petraeus, Panel on Regional Security Architecture, IISS Manama Dialogue, IISS Regional Security Summit, December 12, 2009, http://www.iiss.org/conferences/the-iiss-regional-security-summit/manama-dialogue-2009/plenary-sessions-and-speeches-2009/fifth-plenary-session/fifth-plenary-session-general-david-petraeus/.

340 On Christmas Day 2009 On Christmas Day 2009: Dan Eggen, Karen DeYoung and Spencer S. Hsu, "Plane Suspect Was Listed in Terror Database," The Washington Post The Washington Post, December 27, 2009, p. A1; Elisabeth Bumiller, "Napolitano Says No Evidence of Wider Terrorist Plot," The New York Times The New York Times, December 28, 2009, http://www.nytimes.com.

340 On vacation in Hawaii On vacation in Hawaii: Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents, December 29, 2009, Remarks on Improving Homeland Security in Kaneohe, Hawaii, http://www.gpoaccess.gov/presdocs/2009 /DCPD-200901019.htm.

342 The final six-page report The final six-page report: Memorandum on the Attempted Terrorist Attack on December 25, 2009: Intelligence, Screening, and Watchlisting System Corrective Actions, January 7, 2010, http://www.gpoaccess.gov/presdocs/2010/ DCPD-201000009.htm.

342 After it was released After it was released: Press briefing, January 7, 2010, http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room.

343 "I think of Jim as the glue" "I think of Jim as the glue": David Ignatius, "Jim Jones's Team," The Washington Post The Washington Post, June 7, 2009, p. A17.

CHAPTER THIRTY The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with eight firsthand sources.

356 Things were closing in on them Things were closing in on them: Mark Mazzetti and Dexter Filkins, "Secret Joint Raid Captures Taliban's Top Commander," The New York Times The New York Times, February 16, 2010, p. A1.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with 10 firsthand sources.

358 The operation into the town of Nawa The operation into the town of Nawa: Rajiv Chandrasekaran, "In Helmand, a Model for Success?" The Washington Post The Washington Post, October 22, 2009, p. A1.

359 Even though a blight Even though a blight: Richard A. Oppel, Jr., "Mysterious Blight Destroys Large Portion of Afghan Poppy Harvest," The New York Times The New York Times, May 13, 2010, A12.

361 Several days earlier Several days earlier: Kimberly Dozier, "Petraeus: Times Square Bomber Likely Acted Alone," Associated Press, May 7, 2010.

363 During my Oval Office interview During my Oval Office interview: Interview with President Barack H. Obama, July 10, 2010. 369 When I interviewed President Obama When I interviewed President Obama: Ibid.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO The information in this chapter comes primarily from background interviews with six firsthand sources.

370 The CIA had won and the feud The CIA had won and the feud: Walter Pincus, "Senate Panel Backs DNI in Turf Battle with CIA," The Washington Post The Washington Post, July 23, 2009, p. A3; Washington Post Washington Post editorial, "Settling an Intelligence Turf War," editorial, "Settling an Intelligence Turf War," The Washington Post The Washington Post, November 17, 2009.