The book “War” gains its significance from two main considerations. The first is the author, Bob Woodward, a prominent American investigative journalist renowned for his work with The Washington Post and his role in uncovering the Watergate scandal in the 1970s, alongside Carl Bernstein. This groundbreaking investigation into the illegal activities of the Nixon administration garnered widespread acclaim and a Pulitzer Prize, solidifying his status as one of the most influential reporters in modern history. The second consideration relates to the nature of the topics presented in the book; it discusses Biden’s handling of international crises with his national security team, ranging from the withdrawal from Afghanistan to the Ukraine war, the Gaza conflict, and even “the political war within the United States leading up to the 2024 elections.” According to the book, the United States has played an active role in supporting Ukraine against Russia, as well as committing to ensuring Israel’s security against threats from Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran.
The book also highlights the surface-level disagreements that emerged between Netanyahu and Biden concerning the expansion of Israeli military operations against civilians in Gaza and Lebanon, without measures aimed at protecting children and women during Israeli strikes. Additionally, the Biden administration pressured Netanyahu to avoid expanding the war to prevent Washington from becoming militarily involved in the Middle East. It is suggested that the Gaza war reaffirmed the Middle East’s significance to Washington, prompting the U.S. to seek to strengthen its relationships with countries in the region.
Trump’s Moves
The book indicates that former President Trump sought to bolster his domestic influence in recent years, despite the issues that arose from these policies concerning Washington. In general, the key points of these moves are as follows:
Reference to Trump’s Responsibility for the Capitol Events: The book pointed out Trump’s responsibility regarding the Capitol events; as former President – according to Woodward – he was a witness to the storming of the Capitol by his supporters in their refusal to accept Biden’s victory in the 2020 elections. The book details the crisis, mentioning how then-House minority leader Kevin McCarthy attempted to contact the White House multiple times, seeking a connection to Trump to urge his supporters to stop, after McCarthy, then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and Congressional leaders were taken to Fort McNair, a U.S. military site a few blocks from the Washington Nationals baseball stadium, though their staff remained hidden in various places. Among the rioters were leaders of far-right groups supporting Trump and conspiracy theorists from groups like QAnon.
Trump’s Failure to Comprehend the Situation’s Severity During the Capitol Events: The FBI estimated that over 2,000 individuals entered the Capitol, resulting in five deaths, 172 injuries to police officers, and over 500 arrests, with damage to the historic Capitol exceeding $2.7 million. At that time, it took Trump 187 minutes to tweet asking his supporters to go home. On February 13, 2021, Trump was acquitted by the Senate; while the majority of the members, including seven Republicans, voted to convict the former president, they failed to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority.
Trump’s Ability to Reinforce His Presence in the 2024 Presidential Election Landscape: The author cites what he saw as an increase in speculation about Trump’s plans to run for president again in 2024 by the end of 2021, as Trump continued to assert his strong influence over Republican politics, with many party members eager for him to announce his new presidential campaign.
Despite his widespread popularity, Trump faced several challenges that could impede his 2024 campaign’s success, including ongoing legal battles and internal party divisions. Nevertheless, his influence over the party’s base remained strong, as his rallies continued to attract large crowds of supporters. Republican leaders found themselves in a difficult position, needing to retain Trump’s mass base’s support while trying to distance themselves from some of his controversial actions, particularly the January 6 insurrection. Trump’s goal was clear: revenge for his defeat in the 2020 election, as he continued to promote the idea that the election was stolen from him and framed his potential campaign as a battle to reclaim “American greatness,” according to his vision, solidifying his grip on the Republican Party.
The Growing Debate About Trump’s Chances in the 2024 Presidential Election: By late January 2022, Trump had begun reviving the idea of running for president again during his discussions with Senator Lindsey Graham, establishing a strategy to address Biden’s potential weaknesses. Trump wanted to present himself as strong and calm, believing this strategy would give him an advantage in the competition. Senator Graham encouraged Trump to run again, suggesting that winning in 2024 would allow him to rewrite his legacy.
Trump claims he has “achieved 90 percent of success” but expresses concerns about the commercial and financial repercussions of running. The book mentions that Graham affirmed Trump’s second act in politics could be historic if he wins, enabling him to reshape the narrative around Trumpism and establish it as a permanent political movement. However, Graham warns Trump that an ongoing focus on the 2020 election could alienate future voters.
Domestic Challenges
Woodward discusses in the book the increasing domestic political challenges in the United States, characterized by the following:
Rising Hostility and Threats to American Political Figures: As Trump faced multiple legal issues, his language grew more volatile and aggressive. In this context, retired General Mark Milley, who played a significant role in upholding constitutional order during Trump’s presidency, faced death threats largely attributed to Trump’s incendiary rhetoric. Trump considered calling Milley and other retired military officers to court-martial them for treason. In response, Milley took personal precautions, including installing bulletproof windows to protect himself from these threats.
Promoting Biden’s Foreign Policy Failures: Democrats are facing challenges in the upcoming elections, particularly as some of Biden’s foreign policy failures are called into question from many perspectives within the United States. One example highlighted in the book is the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. According to Woodward, Biden’s administration’s withdrawal turned chaotic; in July 2021, the remaining American troops secretly withdrew from Bagram Air Base, leaving the U.S. embassy in Kabul still operating with over 1,400 Americans protected by only 650 Marines and soldiers. In the same month, Kabul fell, and Taliban fighters took over the palace, leading thousands of Afghan civilians to crowd onto the tarmac of Kabul International Airport.
On August 26, 2021, a suicide bombing by ISIS at Abbey Gate on the outskirts of the airport killed more than 170 people, including 13 American service members. On the 29th of the same month, the U.S. carried out a drone strike in Kabul that targeted a suspected ISIS operative, which drew widespread criticism due to the poor management of the withdrawal process, prompting Trump to call for Biden’s resignation for allowing such a situation to unfold in Afghanistan.
Impact of Assassination Attempts on Trump: On July 13, 2024, a shooter opened fire during a Trump rally, injuring Trump and killing a bystander. The event shook the political landscape and raised security concerns for candidates. Despite his injury, Trump downplayed the incident and quickly returned to the campaign trail, even though the event had a noticeable impact on him. The assassination attempt triggered a reassessment of campaign focus, as Trump temporarily toned down his rhetoric before reverting to his aggressive style.
Growing Concerns Over the Southern Border Crisis: In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, Senator Lindsey Graham and former President Trump emphasized vulnerabilities concerning national security, especially fears of terrorist attacks and the ongoing southern border crisis. Trump escalated his rhetoric, claiming that youth from hostile countries were crossing the southern border, viewing it as an imminent threat to national security.
Increased Threats from ISIS-Khorasan: CIA Director William Burns reported that ISIS-Khorasan was actively planning terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, raising concerns about the potential for violence ahead of the 2024 elections. The book notes that violent plots linked to ISIS-Khorasan had already been thwarted in several European countries, indicating the group’s increasing global reach.
The Ukraine War
The book touches on the features of American interaction with the Ukrainian war as follows:
Preemptive Pressure on Moscow to Halt Military Attack Plans: In the third month of Biden’s presidency, in April 2021, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan discussed with Biden what the U.S. administration had observed from satellite images showing an unprecedented 110,000 Russian troops massing at the Ukrainian border, alongside images of tanks, artillery, rockets, and Russian landing ships being transported to Crimea, on the northern coast of the Black Sea, and along the land border between Russia and Ukraine, while considering how the administration’s policy towards Russia should appear stable and predictable.
In this context, Washington warned Moscow against attacking Ukraine. For instance, on April 13, 2021, Biden called President Putin and reaffirmed U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, warning Putin against launching a new military incursion into Ukraine.
U.S. Intelligence’s Preemptive Disclosure of Putin’s Plan to Attack Ukraine: The book highlights the period leading up to Russia’s attack on Ukraine when Washington obtained intelligence reports in October 2021 confirming Moscow’s intention to “invade” Kyiv using 175,000 soldiers. President Joe Biden and his advisors agreed that the plan was “very serious.” At this time, author Bob Woodward noted, “It was as if they had secretly entered the enemy commander’s tent, contemplating the maps, examining the number and movement of brigades, and the full planning sequence for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” adding that “this was an astounding intelligence coup by American intelligence agencies, including the presence of a human source within the Kremlin.” Woodward mentioned that CIA Director William Burns informed Biden “what Putin planned to do in Ukraine,” prompting Biden to remark that “this would be utterly insane,” adding, “Now I have to deal with Russia swallowing Ukraine.”
Washington’s Warning to Kyiv of an Imminent Russian Attack: Biden sent CIA Director Burns to meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky, warning him of an impending large-scale Russian invasion, which included threats of assassination and military takeover plans. Burns also warned of Russia’s intention to use Hostomel Airport northwest of Kyiv as a launch pad for the attack. Despite the grave nature of the warnings, Zelensky expressed concern that American public forecasts could negatively impact Ukraine’s economy, doubting Russia’s ability to fully execute this plan based on private conversations with European leaders and Russian claims of no intent to invade.
Biden’s Assurance of Not Sending American Troops to Ukraine: President Biden publicly affirmed on December 8, 2021, that the U.S. would not send troops to Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion, clarifying that America’s Article 5 commitment to NATO allies did not apply to Ukraine, which is not a member of the alliance. Biden preferred transparency to avoid potential pressure to send troops after the war started, basing this decision on his past experiences with wars like Vietnam and Afghanistan.
Biden promised to provide weapons and support to the Ukrainian army to help it defend itself, with the U.S. pledging over $2.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, including specialized training from American and British forces; however, he was cautious about the types of weapons to send due to fears that advanced technology could fall into Russian hands should Ukraine collapse quickly, particularly after the lessons learned from the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, where some American equipment ended up in the hands of the Taliban.
Putin’s Continued Path of Escalation Despite American Pressure: On February 22, 2022, Putin declared the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in a televised meeting with senior Russian officials, marking a pivotal moment that set Russia on the path to invade Ukraine later, prompting widespread international reactions and severe sanctions against Moscow. Following the announcement, President Joe Biden issued an executive order prohibiting all economic activities in these two regions while Germany announced that the $11 billion Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project with Russia would not proceed. On the other hand, Trump praised Putin’s move, describing it as “genius,” referring to the Russian troops as “peacekeepers,” while Biden and Western leaders prepared for the worst.
Zelensky’s Efforts to Secure Western Support Following the Russian Attack: On February 24, 2022, Moscow officially announced its “special military operation” in Ukraine, with Russian forces launching a multi-pronged invasion from Belarus in the north, Donbas in the east, and Crimea in the south, warning that any attempt to impede or threaten Russia would face an immediate response while emphasizing Russia’s status as a major nuclear power. Ukrainian President Zelensky chose to stay in Kyiv despite being urged to leave for safety, leading the resistance while continuing to communicate with global leaders, contacting then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Biden, making heartfelt appeals for international support.
Biden’s Pursuit of Exploring NATO Expansion in Response to the Russian Attack: The author asserts that Biden sought to explore the idea of NATO expansion as a direct response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; historically-neutral Finland and Sweden began showing strong interest in joining NATO after the war, with public support for NATO membership in both countries reaching unprecedented levels. Biden assured leaders of both nations that he would ensure increased joint military training to protect them during the transition, while the UK provided general security guarantees, as did Norway, Denmark, and Iceland. In response, Russia issued threats, including the potential deployment of nuclear weapons in the Baltic region if Finland and Sweden joined NATO, which in turn conducted major military exercises in the Baltic.
Western Disagreements Over Military Support for Ukraine: The author notes that Germany’s reluctance to supply Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks became a major point of contention among allies, as Blinken and others in the U.S. government pressed Germany to allow the transfer of these tanks to Ukraine due to their strategic importance. However, German Chancellor Scholz remained hesitant, and a compromise was eventually reached, whereby the U.S. agreed to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine in the future, allowing Germany to proceed with supplying Leopard 2 tanks in the short term, while Congress approved a massive 40billionaidpackageforUkraine,allocating40billionaidpackageforUkraine,allocating19 billion for military support despite disagreements between Democrats and Republicans in Congress.
The Gaza War
The book delves into the American administration’s interactions with the Gaza war, revealing several key implications:
Immediate Support for Israel Following the “Al-Aqsa Flood” Attacks: On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a massive and unprecedented attack on Israel, including the firing of 3,000 rockets and infiltration across the border, catching Israel by surprise. In light of this, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly met with his advisors in Tel Aviv to coordinate Israel’s response, which led to the declaration of a wide-scale war. The United States, through Brett McGurk, Senior Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa at the White House, expressed strong support for Israel and condemned the Hamas attack.
Repositioning U.S. Military Assets in the Middle East: In response to the escalating conflict in Israel, Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor, oversaw the repositioning of the USS Gerald R. Ford towards the eastern Mediterranean, signaling U.S. support for Israel and deterring Hezbollah in case of its involvement in the war. President Biden cautiously managed the American response, aiming to send a strong message of deterrence without escalating the conflict into a broader regional war. The decision to reposition military assets was regarded as a “perfect balance” to demonstrate support without provoking additional tensions.
Biden’s Attempt to Limit Israeli Attacks Against Hezbollah: On October 11, 2023, Netanyahu sought U.S. support for a preemptive strike against Hezbollah, fearing that the Iran-backed group was planning an attack from Lebanon. President Biden pushed back against Netanyahu’s plan, warning that a preemptive strike on Hezbollah could lead to a wider regional war, drawing in Iran and other actors. Biden emphasized the risks involved and the potential damage to Israeli cities if Hezbollah retaliated. According to Biden, supported by U.S. intelligence assessments, there was no concrete evidence of an imminent Hezbollah attack. His firm stance helped dissuade Netanyahu from launching the preemptive strike, thus averting a potentially catastrophic escalation.
By October 11, 2023, Israeli security leadership was on high alert, believing that Hezbollah attacks were imminent. Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor, and his team rushed to prevent an Israeli preemptive strike, fearing it could ignite regional war. Amid escalating tensions, Israel was receiving conflicting reports about possible Hezbollah attacks, including false alarms about gliders and drones. U.S. intelligence debunked these claims, helping to avert an early Israeli military strike on Hezbollah.
Responding to Iranian Drone Attacks: On December 25, 2023, a drone attacked the Erbil Air Base in Iraq, injuring three American service members critically. Following this attack, President Biden held a meeting with his national security team and decided on a carefully calculated military response targeting specific sites used by Iranian-backed militias. In this context, the U.S. military carried out covert airstrikes against three militia locations, avoiding civilian casualties while sending a clear message to Iran.
Increased American Concern Over Israeli Strikes on Iranian Officials: The Israeli airstrike on Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi in Damascus, Syria, represented a significant escalation in Israeli-Iranian tensions, as Zahedi was a key figure in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and a close partner of the Iranian Supreme Leader. U.S. concerns over escalation grew, as Washington was not informed in advance of the strike, and officials like Brett McGurk were worried that this might lead to a widespread Iranian retaliation, possibly involving Hezbollah. Iran sent a message holding both Israel and the United States responsible for the strike, indicating the possibility of revenge.
Strategic Restraint Amid Iranian Missile Escalation: In April 2024, Iran launched “Operation Promised Truth,” a large-scale missile attack targeting Israel. This was one of the most significant escalations in the region. The U.S. and its allies successfully intercepted many missiles, averting widespread destruction. Despite the attack, Biden advised Netanyahu to refrain from further escalation, focusing instead on the broader implications of the conflict for regional stability.
Netanyahu’s Dilemma
Consistent with the nature of American interactions with the Gaza war, the book highlights the ongoing disagreements between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, which are manifesting in the following ways:
Rising Tension Between Biden and Netanyahu Over the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: President Biden, according to the book, expressed frustration towards Prime Minister Netanyahu concerning Israeli military operations in Gaza. Biden emphasized the need for continued humanitarian aid and civilian protection, but Netanyahu remained focused on continuing military operations. The book mentions that Blinken informed Biden that Israel lacked a plan to protect civilians in Rafah, Gaza, where around 1.4 million people were living under dire conditions. The U.S. called on Israel to provide a credible plan before continuing any military operations.
Facing a Stalemate in Negotiations and Complicating the Conflict Between Israel and Hamas: Negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding the release of hostages had reached an impasse. Biden and his administration continued to pressure for a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of more hostages.
Woodward noted that “Hamas leader Yehya Sinwar firmly rejected many Israeli offers for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange, complicating efforts to ease the conflict.” After prolonged negotiations, an agreement was reached that saw Hamas releasing 50 hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. The deal allowed for a temporary ceasefire, but the broader conflict remained unresolved. Despite the success of the hostage exchange, military operations continued in Gaza with no clear resolution in sight, and both sides prepared for further confrontations.
Ongoing Dilemma of Biden’s Distrust of Netanyahu: President Biden’s frustrations with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu intensified in 2024, reflecting – according to the book – the personal animosity between the two sides. Biden accused Netanyahu of prioritizing his political survival over strategic and humanitarian concerns, especially in Gaza. Biden criticized Netanyahu’s approach, pushing for a change in military strategy due to the devastating impact of Israeli bombings on Gaza, with tens of thousands of bombs dropped and significant civilian casualties, particularly among children. As the war progressed and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepened, tensions between the United States and Israel increased.
Criticism of Netanyahu’s Targeted Assassination Policy: Israeli forces assassinated Fuad Shukr, the top military commander of Hezbollah, in Beirut. The operation resulted in civilian casualties and led to significant regional tension. Netanyahu justified the strike by asserting that Hezbollah had crossed a red line with rocket attacks that killed Israeli children.
The assassination of Shukr provoked retaliatory threats from Iran and Hezbollah. Biden strongly criticized Netanyahu for carrying out the attack in Beirut instead of near the border, highlighting the growing rift between the United States and Israel. Shortly thereafter, Israel assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, disrupting ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire. Biden reprimanded Netanyahu, stating that Israel was increasingly viewed as a rogue state.
Biden’s Denunciation of Israeli Strikes in Beirut and Tehran: Israeli operations against Hezbollah and Hamas leadership escalated tensions in the Middle East. These actions complicated relations between the United States and Israel. Biden condemned Israel’s military actions, expressing concern over the long-term consequences for peace negotiations and regional stability. The Israeli government’s decisions disrupted backchannel talks with Hamas for a ceasefire. Despite the tensions, the United States continued to provide military support to Israel, deploying forces in the region to deter any large-scale retaliatory strikes from Iran or Hezbollah.
In conclusion, the book reveals that the Biden administration faced broad challenges on both internal and external levels, particularly with escalating Republican criticisms of Biden’s policies, the rise of Trump as a major contender in the upcoming presidential election, and the challenge of worsening internal political violence. Concurrently, the U.S. administration grappled with multiple external issues, especially with the emergence of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
