Hide and Seek: Intelligence, Law Enforcement, and the Stalled War on Terrorist Finance [Hardcover]

John A. Cassara (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1574889982 | ISBN-13: 978-1574889987 | Publication Date: June 30, 2006

One failure of 9/11 that has not received the attention it deserves is the inadequacy of the U.S. and international network of financial transparency reporting requirements to detect terrorist finance. In Hide and Seek, John A. Cassara, an expert in the fields of terrorist financing and money laundering, provides personal insight into the workings of the intelligence and law enforcement communities. He contends that the mistakes made by many different agencies before 9/11 were not isolated. Rather, he says these blunders were a result of bureaucratic cultures, misguided policies, and entrenched ways of doing business. Moreover, vulnerabilities still exist. Cassara’s unique background allows personal insight into the real workings of the intelligence and law enforcement communities that failed us on September 11, 2001. His memoir provides a true-life perspective on issues, procedures, government cultures, and decisions that are so vitally important today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Editor's Pick -- Foreign Policy Association

First Place- Non Fiction 2006 -- Public Safety Writers' Association Annual Award Competition

Hide and Seek details what Cassara feels is one of the primary shortcomings of the Bush Administration's post-9/11 counterterrorism policy - its inability to effectively confront and destroy the financial roots of modern terrorism. The author contends that today's bureaucratic ineptitude stems from a long history of insouciance and inertia of the part of the U.S. government. What's more, he claims, these vulnerabilties are only getting worse as the years pass by. Cassara's long experience in these matters makes his book a compelling and convincing critique of the way in which the U.S. fights terror. -- Center for Security Policy - Recommended Books

Hide and Seek offers a refreshingly original look at the cultural and bureaucratic barriers that intelligence and law enforcement must scale in the fight against terrorist financing. John Cassara's broad experience gives him a fascinating perspective from which to analyze this life-and-death struggle, and his unrelenting passion yields creative solutions. Let's hope a copy of this book makes the rounds on Capitol Hill. -- Brett Wolf, anti-money laundering editor at Complinet, Inc.

From the Publisher

"John Cassara is, in a phrase, `right on the money!' A gripping account of how terrorists work, Cassara's analysis is expertly researched, packed with firsthand stories, and administers a much-needed kick in the pants to those content with old solutions to new problems. Hide and Seek makes a cogent case for creative thinking and following the money in order to win the larger battle for security in the vital years just ahead. Not for the faint of heart, his recommendations pull no punches. This is a must-read for anyone who cares about making our government work and protecting lives, borders, and America's future." -- Robert B. Charles, assistant secretary of state for international narcotics and law enforcement under Secretary of State Colin Powell

"Hide and Seek should be required reading for anyone working in the fields of homeland security, counterterrorism, and terrorist financing, as well as for concerned citizens. John Cassara's unique experience working in varied government positions gives him insights that few have acquired. And his experience has led him to an understanding of how terrorists operate right under our noses when financing their operations. Monitoring the flow of terrorist funds can be a great resource in terrorism prevention. Yet shockingly, the U.S. government has not even begun to come to grips with the issues revealed in Hide and Seek. As an educational tool, this book is a national asset; more important, though, is that it sounds the alarm of a clear and present danger to which our country is oblivious."-- Kris J. Kolesnik, former U.S. Senate investigator to Sen. Charles Grassley, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee

"Hide and Seek is a warts-and-all view of the history of the U.S. response to global money laundering and terrorist financing. While you may not agree with all of John Cassara's points, his assessments are candid, refreshing, and undeniably educational. Cassara's story proves that one can be a committed public servant by asking tough questions no matter what the repercussions." -- John J. Byrne, senior vice president and anti-money laundering strategy executive, Bank of America

"John Cassara, career CIA, Secret Service and Treasury agent, has written a book that's sure to make some counterterrorism officials squirm. In Hide and Seek: Intelligence, Law Enforcement, and the Stalled War on Terrorist Finance. . . Cassara contradicts Bush administration assurances that it has put a dent in terrorism finance, citing "a series of . . . wrong decisions and misplaced priorities . . . facilitated by bureaucratic cultures and entrenched ways of doing business. . . ." -- Jeff Stein, national security editor, CQ Homeland Security

"A welcome addition to the growing literature of counterterrorism . . . As the author of the first inside account of the American battle to take the financial system back from the criminals and terrorists looking to exploit it, Cassara should be commended. More importantly, his ideas should finally find a set of consumers willing to listen." -- Jeff Breinholt, deputy chief, Counterterrorism Section, Department of Justice, in Findlaw

"A 'must' for any who would understand one of the failures of the U.S. in 9/11. . . . Hide and Seek could not have been written without an insider's knowledge of how foreign intelligence, domestic efforts, and international finance works: the fact that John Cassara has such knowledge lends authority and depth to a survey which encourages law to follow the unusual paths of international terrorism's money networks." -- The Midwest Book Review

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Potomac Books Inc. (June 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574889982
• ISBN-13: 978-1574889987
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,623,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Written by the best, May 29, 2009

By 

Retired Law Enforcement - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hide and Seek: Intelligence, Law Enforcement, and the Stalled War on Terrorist Finance (Hardcover)

John Cassara has the credibility to write about what he knows. Although many in Washington want to think the "War on Terror" is over or at least passe, Cassara's book outlines what should be an ongoing concern-- the way to stop terrorism is to dry up their resources. A better way would be to make everyone just "get along" but since that will never happen in our lifetimes, Cassara paints a picture of what must be done if we are going to win the battle against terrorism. This is a must read for any law enforcement or intelligence officer involved today in the battle to prevent acts of terrorism in their community. Great book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must' for any who would understand one of the failures of the U.S. in 9/11, August 19, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hide and Seek: Intelligence, Law Enforcement, and the Stalled War on Terrorist Finance (Hardcover)

HIDE AND SEEK: INTELLIGENCE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THE STALLED WAR ON TERRORIST FINANCE is a 'must' for any who would understand one of the failures of the U.S. in 9/11. John Cassara is an expert in terrorist financing and money laundering and here surveys the lack of reporting requirements before 9/11, efforts since, and how the failures of law enforcement have helped foster terrorist efforts. HIDE AND SEEK could not have been written without an insider's knowledge of how foreign intelligence, domestic efforts, and international finance works: the fact that John Cassara has such knowledge lends authority and depth to a survey which encourages law to follow the unusual paths of international terrorism's money networks.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and Amazing, July 21, 2006

By 

A. Gamarra (New York City, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hide and Seek: Intelligence, Law Enforcement, and the Stalled War on Terrorist Finance (Hardcover)

The author provides an insightful and at time intense criticism of inner governmental workings. Depicting through first hand experience the bureaucratic failures that have resulted in the continued operation of many criminal and terrorist financial networks. The removal of these "financial networks" is crucial, to ensure our victory in the "War on Drugs" and "War on Terror". These failures can cost lives, as so dramatically depicted by the author. To someone who seeks to pursue a career in government service, like myself; this book is an invaluable tool. In depicting the failures of previous generations of government employees, it serves as a "wake up" call to both current and future governmental employees. This will help to prevent these errors from continuing to happen in the future. Finally, the authors' career serves as an example of excellence in government service, that the new generation of government service employees should aim for in their career.