Bush at War essays

Bush at War essays Through a series of one-on-one interviews, Woodward fleshes out these advisers, the key architects of Bush's foreign policy. Vice President Dick Cheney is seen mostly as a man of principle, utterly convinced that the United States will soon be targeted for another terrorist attack. According to Woodward's account, this conviction spurred Cheney to read all intelligence reports avidly, making him an ideal ad informed counsel to the president immediately after the attack. However, this fear interferes with Cheney's objectivity, leading the vice president to form an alliance with Donald Rumsfeld against Colin Powell. Powell is portrayed as a man with little administrative support, the one often thrown into diplomatic battles. CIA director George Tenet is the obliging lackey. Only Condoleeza Rice, who rarely engaged in backroom politicking with the boys, is spared from Woodward's more scathing Through these behind-the-scenes accounts, Woodward depicts an administration that is the antithesis of its predecessor's cautious approach to terrorism. Even prior to September 11, Woodward contends that the Bush administration shows a stronger willingness to engage in military maneuvers. The author crystallizes this approach in the Bush doctrine, which states that the United States will hold "no distinction between those who planned these acts and those who harbor them." This book confirms the belief of war critics who contend that the administration's response to the September 11 attacks were premature and overblown. The pragmatic Colin Powell argued strongly for the need for public support. However, Powell's emphasis on "practicalities and priorities" was cast aside in favor of other official who were determined to war, first against Afghanistan. In a provocative statement, Woodward further states that many officials wanted to attack Iraq as well, as a form ...