Evan's Reviews > Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq

I decided to read this book after reading Black Hawk Down. In Black Hawk Down, Bowden provides a detailed account of fighting inside a city. I was interested to see how principles from Somali might have been applied in Iraq. This book, covering a much longer period (2003-2006) does not get into any individual battle details or, really, tactical decisions. For the most part, this book focuses on:
1) strategy (or lack thereof) at high levels of command
2) lack of army preparedness for a Phase 4 (occupation of Iraq)
3) Implications of the invasion on the future of the Middle East

As far as I know, the book does an excellent job of addressing these 4 points. I think the author tried to be balanced. For example, in his critique of General Odierno's use of heavy force, he acknowledges that the force may have been necessary even if it was counterproductive in terms of fueling the insurgency.

With respect to occupation, he doesn't paint a pretty picture. US soldiers are scared and seeking vengeance. Iraqi citizens are opposed to being occupied.

For his third point, his is eerily accurate in his predictions (circa 2006) that the Iraqi invasion could result in a regional conflict or a training ground for terrorists. I don't know enough if his prediction of a potential strongman leader came true, but as he described the conditions (lawlessness) that could lead to it and than the characteristics of the leader, I thought instantly of Rodrigo Duterte.