Excerpts: “State-sponsored terrorism had always presented a special challenge for counterterrorism professionals, as intelligence and security services of state sponsors use the prerogative of sovereignty to move and conceal operatives, money, technical equipment, explosives, and other terrorism-related material via diplomatic pouches and in diplomatic facilities, which are beyond the monitoring of other countries” (p. 85).

“Most important, I began to understand the imperfect balance and difficult trade-offs between, on the one hand, acting decisively against terrorists based on incomplete data in interest of saving innocent lives and, on the other hand, waiting for greater confidence and clarity before acting and, by waiting, risking losing the opportunity to act. I would struggle with this balancing act for the rest of my government service” (p. 88).

“It was my view then, and remains today, that the most effective way to reduce an organization’s resorting to violence is to make its use of violence counterproductive to its larger political ambitions” (p. 172).

“Unfortunately, it probably will take a massive cyberattack – similar to the triggering event that led to the creation of the 9/11 and WMD Commissions – to convince lawmakers that an independent national commission is essential to deal with the challenges of the digital domain” (p. 198).

“I consider the procedures an enduring template for the conduct of lethal action against terrorist targets, whether carried out by the United States or another government. In addition to stipulating that lethal force must have a legal basis and only be used against targets that pose a continuing imminent threat, the procedures called for near certainty that (a) the terrorist target is present; (b) noncombatants will not be injured or killed; and (c) capture or other alternative to mitigate the threat, including by foreign forces, is not feasible” (p. 220).

“I also supported President Obama’s view that covert action should be undertaken only when there is no viable diplomatic, military, or other option available and when the hand of the United states needs to be hidden for national security purposes, not for political reasons” (p. 300).

“The subsequent failure of the Trump administration to hold the Saudi government to account for MBS’s role in the murder of Khashoggi was one of the most egregious examples of unprincipled leadership I have ever witnessed in the U.S. government” (p. 340).

Brennan, John O. (2020). Undaunted: My Fight Against America’s Enemies, at Home and Abroad. New York: Celadon Books.