Overview
Crush the Cell demolishes, with simple logic, the edifice of false “terror punditry” that has been laid, brick by brick,
since 9/11. A veteran of special ops, international diplomacy,
and bruising clasheswith federal lawenforcement agencies,
Michael Sheehan delivers in this book a two-part message: First,
thatwe’vewasted—and are continuing towaste—billions of dollars on thewrong protectivemeasures, and second, that knowing the bad guys’nextmove is paramount. Here, Sheehan showswhy defensive fortresses don’t work, but offensive operational intelligence does. He peels back themystery surrounding terrorist cells,
explains just how“terror experts”andmembers of themedia are playing into the terrorists’ hands…and provides perhaps the clearest picture yet of what modern terror-fighting is all about.
“Trenchant…scores some palpable hits…the depth and breadth of Sheehan’s experience give him an authority that is hard to assail.” —The Economist
“Filled with startling insights...like its author, this book is smart,
tough, brave, and relentlessly honest.”—Madeleine K. Albright,
former U.S. Secretary of State
Synopsis
"Written by a man who is arguably the country's most authoritative voice on counterterrorism, Crush the Cell demolishes, with simple logic, the edifice of false "terror punditry" that has been laid, brick by brick, since 9/11. A veteran of special ops, international diplomacy, and bruising clashes with federal law enforcement agencies, Michael Sheehan delivers in this book a two-part message: First, that we've wasted - and are continuing to waste - billions of dollars on the wrong protective measures, and second, that knowing the bad guys' next move is paramount." Here, Sheehan shows why defensive fortresses don't work, but offensive operational intelligence does. He also peels back the mystery surrounding terrorist cells, portraying them as, typically, a group of bumblers searching for a charismatic leader who has what it takes to conduct a complex symphony of violence. Sharing time in the narrative spotlight are not just agents of al Qaeda, but also frighteningly destructive lone wolves, cults, and radical movements.