The Skimmer

The Inheritance: The World Obama Confronts and the Challenges to American Power By David E. Sanger Harmony; 528 pages

Sanger's behind-the-scenes account of the Bush Administration's foreign policy is laced with scoops and secret conversations about a world spinning out of America's control. He tracks scientists in Pakistan trying to keep nuclear material out of al-Qaeda's hands; commandos at Fort Bragg blasting a Cabinet official for the lack of a strategy to get Osama bin Laden; and Condoleezza Rice telling George W. Bush, "I don't think you can invade another Muslim country ... even for the best of reasons." Sanger uncovers a sheaf of covert operations, like an effort to sabotage Iran's nuclear program, but concludes that Bush was too rigid and unimaginative to react to challenges beyond Iraq: "The 'decider' became the ditherer." As a result, Barack Obama faces an Iran "that is getting the Bomb," a war in Afghanistan that will keep U.S. troops tied down "for decades to come" and a nuclear-armed Pakistan "more unstable than ever." Obama's task is "to get the world growing again and to get the most imminent threats dealt with fast." Over to you, Mr. President.

READ [X] SKIM TOSS