Hard Measures

More about the book

While the American public is aware of the CIA’s controversial “enhanced interrogation techniques,” few know the man who led U.S. counterterrorism operations post-September 11—Jose A. Rodriguez, Jr. A Puerto Rican-born undercover officer with twenty-five years of experience, Rodriguez oversaw procedures that yielded vital intelligence and helped protect the nation from future attacks. In this gripping account, he reveals the undercover operations and tactics used during the George W. Bush presidency, which were sanctioned by the highest levels of government and supported by bipartisan congressional oversight. However, as the initial shock of 9/11 faded, political correctness undermined the intelligence community, leading to the abandonment of essential tools in the fight against terrorism. Rodriguez and his colleagues faced second-guessing and investigations, effectively disarming the U.S. in the war on terror. He argues convincingly for the necessity of these techniques, detailing how they contributed to capturing key terror operatives, including Usama bin Laden. His journey from law student to America’s top spy offers a rare insider’s perspective on a critical issue, making a reasoned case for hard measures in combating terrorism. Intelligence work, he explains, is akin to assembling a million-piece puzzle without a reference image, requiring careful analysis of fragmented information to address real threats.