The Way of the Knife: The Untold Story of USA’s Secret War by Mark Mazzetti; Penguin Books; Price: Rs.499; 379 pp “No longer a traditional espionage service devoted to stealing the secrets of foreign governments, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has become a killing machine, an organisation consumed with manhunting… Prior to the attacks of September 11 (on the New York World Trade Centre), the Pentagon did very little human spying, and the CIA was not permitted to kill. In the years since, each has done a great deal of both, and a military intelligence complex has emerged to carry out the American way of war.” These chilling words from the prologue sum up what Mark Mazzetti, a Pulitzer Prize-winner and national security correspondent of the New York Times, has to say in this fascinating and intensively researched book. The metamorphosis of the CIA began during the presidency of George Bush Jr. (2001-2009). Surprisingly, despite his liberal credentials and professed respect for human rights and international law, President Barack Obama has expanded the role of the CIA and Pentagon by authorising the use of remote-controlled Predator drones (unmanned aircraft) to track and strike at suspected enemies and terrorists. As recounted by the author, shortly after the 2001 terrorist attack on WTC, Sir Richard Dearlove, the head of M16, the British intelligence service, was shown a live demonstration of drone capability at the Counter Terrorism Centre of CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. On a large screen in front of him was a white Mitsubishi truck driving along a road in Afghanistan. “Several minutes went by as the Mitsubishi was framed by the crosshairs at the centre of the video monitor, until a missile blast washed the entire screen in white. Seconds later, the picture clarified to show the wreckage of the truck, twisted and burning.” Dearlove’s reaction was typically British. “It almost isn’t sporting, is it?” he said with a wry smile. Since then, drone attacks have been used with deadly effect in Afghanistan and Pakistan, enraging the people of these countries. “The parameters of America’s dysfunctional relationship with Pakistan in post 9/11 had been set: The United States insisted on the right to wage a secret war inside Pakistan and Islamabad extracted money in return,” notes the author. Inevitably, much of the consideration paid was secreted by the military regime under Gen. Musharraf, and subsequently by President Zardari and perhaps his military chief, Gen. Kayani, as well. Success of drone attacks depends on good intelligence. If the intelligence is faulty, “collateral damage” — a euphemism for the killing of innocent civilians who happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time — is inevitable. The increase in drone strikes and ensuing collateral damage, have become commonplace in Pakistan, provoking strong opposition within the country. In fact, in one of his first declarations of intent on assuming the office of prime minister on May 28, Nawaz Sharif promised to halt drone strikes within Pakistan’s borders. However, that’s for public consumption. In reality according to Mazzetti, the Pakistan army has…
