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The Field of Fight: How We Can Win the Global War Against Radical Islam and Its Allies Paperback – May 30, 2017

by Lieutenant General (Ret.) Michael T. Flynn (Author), Michael Ledeen (Author)

1,127 ratings

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The Instant New York Times Bestseller.

A war is being waged against us by radical Islamists, and, as current events demonstrate, they are only getting stronger. Al-Qaeda has morphed into a much more dangerous, menacing threat: ISIS. Boko Haram, Hamas, and other groups continue to foment violence around the world. The Field of Fight succinctly lays out why we have failed to stop terrorist groups from growing, and what we must do to stop them. For if you understand your enemies, it’s much easier to defeat them―and right now, Flynn argues, we do not understand them.
A call to action that is sensible, informed, and original, The Field of Fight offers a plan that combines creative and strategic solutions with political engagement and effective military action; a plan not only to “manage” the problem, or to participate in perpetual conflict, but to win.

Editorial Reviews

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"General Flynn's The Field of Fight is as good an introduction to the long war we are in as any I have read. It is also a sobering and indeed frightening indictment of the intellectual dishonesty which has blocked our leaders from winning this war." --Newt Gingrich

"The Field of Fight is a book worth reading by anyone concerned about the future security of America. It is both an engaging personal memoir by a great American soldier and military intelligence officer, General Mike Flynn, and a strategic plan by General Flynn of how to win the global war against radical Islam and its big power supporters. The leaders of the next American administration would benefit from reading The Field of Fight." --Senator Joseph Lieberman

"The Field of Fight is a must-read for all Americans, especially military and law enforcement. It is a seminal book in the global war against radical Islam! Where are the fatwas from Mecca and Medina?!" --Lt. General (Retired) Tom McInerny, former Deputy Chief of Staff, United States Air Force

"If you wish to understand the terrorist attacks sweeping the world, there's no better place to start than The Field of Fight." --National Review

About the Author

Lt. General (Ret.) Michael T. Flynn spent thirty-three years as an intelligence officer and was just named National Security Adviser by President-elect Donald Trump. Flynn has served as the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Senior Military Intelligence Officer in the Department of Defense. He also founded the Flynn Intel Group, a commercial, government, and international consulting firm. He lives in Virginia.

Dr. Michael Ledeen is the author of more than 35 books, including Accomplice to Evil and Virgil's Golden Egg and Other Neapolitan Miracles. He is Freedom Scholar at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, and served as Special Advisor to the Secretary of State and consultant to the National Security Council during the Reagan Administration.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Griffin
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 30, 2017
Edition ‏ : ‎ Reprint
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250131626
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250131621
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.61 x 0.48 x 8.29 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #656,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #128 in Terrorism (Books)
- #140 in National & International Security (Books)
- #160 in Middle Eastern Politics

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Flynn, Lieutenant General (Ret.) Michael T.

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Lieutenant General, US ARMY (Retired) Michael T. Flynn is a subject matter expert in Diplomacy, Statecraft, Foreign Policy, Strategy Formulation, Defense, Intelligence, and other areas of national and international security. He served more than 33 years in the Army, Joint, and Special Operations Forces, with multiple overseas combat tours.

He is the author of 7 books, two are best sellers. He holds three master’s degrees, an honorary doctorate and currently serves as the Chairman of America’s Future, which is among the nation’s oldest non-profits.

His military career culminated as the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and the nation’s highest serving military intelligence officer. Additionally, he served the 45th President of the United States, President Donald J. Trump, as the nation’s 25th National Security Advisor.

General Flynn is the recipient of numerous military awards and decorations as well as law enforcement, intelligence community and several non-profit lifetime achievement awards.

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Customers find this book to be a must-read that provides great insight into intelligence and world situations, with clear and easy-to-understand writing. The book serves as a blueprint for winning the war against Radical Islam and offers a hard-hitting perspective. They appreciate the author's patriotism and authenticity, with one customer noting how the author speaks from extensive experience.

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Readability Insight Writing quality Islamic content Patriotism Authenticity Clarity Strength

178 customers mention "Readability"154 positive24 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a must-read that gets better as you progress through it.

"...This book stands on its own and is an excellent resource for those interested in an expert’s view of the global fight facing us...." Read more

"EXCELLENT .... this was not just a great read in the style of writing...as if Lt. General Flynn was talking to ME,..." Read more

"...Highly Recommended reading It's only 180 pages!..." Read more

"...General Michael T. Flynn provides a unique perspective on this war and what he believes are some of the steps necessary to meet this foe...." Read more

94 customers mention "Insight"94 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insights, describing it as one of the foremost works on intelligence and providing great commentary on world situations.

"...In “The Field of Fight”, Flynn, acknowledged as a brilliant tactician and a top intelligence officer, provides deep insights into our fight against “..." Read more

"...His knowledge is so profound that I needed to read most chapters several times just to keep up and in an effort to gain an understanding of his deep-..." Read more

"Fast, edge of your seat read. Lt General Flynn has incredible insight into the complexities of what we are facing with Radical Islam...." Read more

"...great strengths of intelligence on and how we cannot, cannot continue along the path of the past 8 years of..." Read more

89 customers mention "Writing quality"71 positive18 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it concise and easy to understand, with one customer noting how the author addresses complex topics in plain language.

"...Chapter two of The Field of Fight features an excellent summary of what transpires in a civil war and the manner in which Iraqis began to defect..." Read more

"...He continues to be straight-forward and honest which is reflected in his writing and these traits have been consistently present and apparent..." Read more

"EXCELLENT .... this was not just a great read in the style of writing...as if Lt. General Flynn was talking to ME,..." Read more

"...That said, Lt Gen Flynn did a great job addressing a complex topic in plain language...." Read more

38 customers mention "Islamic content"38 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's Islamic content, describing it as a blueprint for winning the war against Radical Islam, with one customer noting it provides insight into how terrorism works.

"...safety and security of this great country and of the safety and security of global citizens, I wholeheartedly recommend his book, "The Field of..." Read more

"...why- He lays out the real threat of Radical Islam and explains Radical Islam: the Military and Ideological Strategies to win the Global War against..." Read more

"Provocative, bellicose, rhetorical, and patriotic, the author leaves the reader wondering if his understanding of the enemy is hubris or sagacity...." Read more

"...military want these documents to help plan reliable and reasonable action against terrorists...." Read more

21 customers mention "Patriotism"21 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's patriotism, describing him as an amazing patriot who represents the best of America.

"...GOD BLESS AMERICAN HEROS SUCH GENERAL MICHAEL FLYNN AND PRESIDENT TRUMP!!!!" Read more

"Provocative, bellicose, rhetorical, and patriotic, the author leaves the reader wondering if his understanding of the enemy is hubris or sagacity...." Read more

"This is a great view into the life of a patriot. LTG Flynn has a story to tell not only znot the military but about life and leadership...." Read more

"LTG Flynn represents the best of America. We are a better nation because of him...." Read more

19 customers mention "Authenticity"19 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the authenticity of the book, with one customer noting that the author speaks truth from extensive experience and writes in layman's terms.

"...whenever I have needed someone who is trustworthy, sympathetic yet fair-minded, and who has the rare capability to combine his intellectual prowess..." Read more

"Here is a true story about Michael Ledeen from someone who went to graduate school with him at the University of Wisconsin in history. &#..." Read more

"As a former member of the intelligence community this book gives an unbiased view of what needs to be done with this problem of radical Islam...." Read more

"A good blunt and candid book by this much criticized and much praised General...." Read more

11 customers mention "Clarity"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the clarity of the book, describing it as an eye-opener that provides a great look into how FLYNN thinks.

"In a lucid and clear fashion the nature of today's war with the Islamic radicals is outlined, illuminating ways of destroying this menace...." Read more

"...Interesting reports on certain events. Clear sighted path presented to fight the battle against the tyranny of Islam...." Read more

"Great look into the way FLYNN thinks. A TRUE PATRIOT!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 I STAND WITH FLYNN!!!!..." Read more

"Great book, clear and direct, and above all - very hands-on, based on direct experience...." Read more

10 customers mention "Strength"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's strength, describing it as hard-hitting and well-supported.

"...This chapter is perhaps the most robust in the book and it is the sort of reading that every American should do before they engage in conversations..." Read more

"...advice and guidance to me whenever I have needed someone who is trustworthy, sympathetic yet fair-minded, and who has the rare capability to combine..." Read more

"...down the one American strength that makes America safe, strong and prosperous. Without..." Read more

"...True evil will be identified and addressed with appropriate strength. Start by cutting off funding sources for terrorists...." Read more

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Thomas M. Loarie
An Acknowledged Expert and Tactician Explains How to End the War on Radical Islam
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2017
Verified Purchase

Lt. Michael Flynn has worked at the highest levels of the military-intelligence field. He served as the eighteenth director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) for President Obama from July 2012 to August 2014.

He was fired as DIA Director in 2014 over what US officials cited as clashes over his leadership style; however, he claims it was because he took a stand about "radical Islam." “The Field of Flight: How We Can Win the Global War Against Radical Islam and Its Allies” is his response. It outlines his not so “politically-correct” stand on “radical Islam.”

Controversy continued to shadow Flynn. He was named by President Trump in late 2016 as the twenty-fifth National Security Advisor. He was forced to resign after information surfaced he had misled Vice President Mike Pence about the nature and content of his communications with the Russian ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak, during the presidential transition. These communications and his role as a foreign agent have engulfed him and the Trump administration in on-going investigations of Russian collusion and tampering in US elections.

In “The Field of Fight”, Flynn, acknowledged as a brilliant tactician and a top intelligence officer, provides deep insights into our fight against “radical Islam” and how we should deal with this global threat. He believes that very few people and understand that a global war is being waged against us by “a messianic mass movement of evil people,” most of them inspired by a totalitarian ideology: radical Islam.

This book stands on its own and is an excellent resource for those interested in an expert’s view of the global fight facing us.

Flynn knows the enemy better than most. He felt we were losing the battle when he wrote this book (2015). He wrote “The Field of Fight” to raise awareness of the global war being waged against us and to outline a winning strategy for the United States. Simply put, our enemies, ISIS and its allies - North Korea, Russia, China, Cuba, and Venezuela – hate the West and want to see our society destroyed.

Information in this book came from those who trained, worked and fought alongside Flynn and from American military and defense agencies. Dozens of interviews were conducted with the promise of anonymity. Sources were top officials, junior officers, noncommissioned officers and intelligence analysts.

He has much to say about Iran, information suppressed by two consecutive administrations, ISIS and Al Qaeda. “ISIS and Al Qaeda are driven by a systematic vision of how to conquer the world and impose their religious ideology on all of us. Did you know that ISIS has a detailed written timetable global victory?”

Flynn argues against ‘political correctness’ and for the need of an Islamic Reformation. He does not pull any punches nor does he suggest that we rely on military power to win. To destroy them, we need:
 A clarity of purpose by facing reality and defining the enemy clearly; a new strategy driven by “true,” not falsified, intelligence; and a resolve to win.
 A holistic approach, integrating our economic, political and military strengths.
 A new set of 21st Century Alliances.
 Ample, not token, resources.
 Rules of engagement which do not restrict our soldiers from doing what they are supposed to be doing.
 To attack the radicals everywhere in every way and to deny the enemy safe havens in countries that shelter them (reinvigorate the Bush Doctrine).
 To discredit their ideology.

Flynn notes that we have defeated the radical Islamists every time we have fought them seriously. We lost our resolve over the past eight years (the Obama years) allowing them grow into a global threat. Our leaders took them for granted and told us we were doing fine. Flynn says we need our leaders to tell the truth.

He goes on to remind us that “Radical Islamists” represent a failed civilization. The Muslim world today is a spectacular failure. They are an illiterate society with 20% unable to read. They are afraid that if the Islamic people were free to choose a winner, they would choose us.

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Just do It
WHAT A GREAT BOOK. I BOUGHT MANY FOR GIFTS
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
GENERAL MICHAEL FLYNN is an AMERICAN HERO
AND SHAME ON THOSE WHO TRIED TO DESTROY HIM. I BOUGHT THESE FOR MY NEPHEWS SO THEY WOULD KNOW AMERICAN HISTORY. GOD BLESS AMERICAN HEROS SUCH GENERAL MICHAEL FLYNN AND PRESIDENT TRUMP!!!!

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David Firester, Ph.D.
Looking Inward First, is What Generates the Strategy-Shifting Process. Flynn Gets This. Few Others Do.
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2016
Verified Purchase
To begin with, I will say that the book is not exactly what one might expect from a recently retired General. For starters, there were numerous spelling errors, an assortment of colloquialisms and some instances in which the prose took on a decidedly partisan tone. The means of documenting sources was something akin to a blog-posting, in that he simply copied and pasted links to pages, right into the body of the work. I would have liked to have seen a more thoroughly researched and properly cited work. All of this was likely due to the fact that General Flynn released his book in the days leading up to Donald J. Trump’s announcement of his Vice Presidential pick. As Flynn is apparently a close national security advisor to Trump, I can understand why his work appears to be somewhat harried. Nonetheless, I think that the book’s timeliness is useful, as the information it contains might be helpful in guiding Americans’ election choices. I also think that despite the absence of academic rigor, it makes his work more accessible. No doubt, this is probably one of Mr. Trump’s qualities and one that has catapulted him to national fame and serious consideration for the office he seeks. General Flynn makes a number of important points, which, despite my foregoing adverse commentary, gives me the opportunity to endorse it as an essential read.
In the introductory chapter, General Flynn lays out his credentials, defines the problem, and proceeds to inform the reader of the politically guided element that clouds policy prescriptions. Indeed, he is correct to call attention to the fact that the Obama administration has deliberately exercised its commanding authority in forbidding the attachment of the term “Islam” when speaking of the threat posed by extremists who advocate and carry out violence in the religion’s name. As one who suffered at the hands of the administration for speaking truth to power, he knows all too well what others in the Intelligence Community (IC) must suffer in order to hold onto their careers.
In chapter one, he discusses where he came from and how he learned valuable lessons at home and in service to his country. He also gives the reader a sense of the geopolitical context in which Radical Islamists have been able to form alliances with our worst enemies. This chapter also introduces the reader to some of his personal military heroes, as he delineates how their mentorship shaped his thinking on military and intelligence matters. A key lesson to pay attention to in this chapter is what some, including General Flynn, call ‘politicization of intelligence.’ Although he maintains that both the present and previous administration have been guilty of this, he credits the Bush administration with its strategic reconsideration of the material facts and a search for better answers. (He mentions this again in the next chapter on p.42, signifying this capability as a “leadership characteristic” and later recalls the president’s “insight and courage” on p. 154.)
Chapter two of The Field of Fight features an excellent summary of what transpires in a civil war and the manner in which Iraqis began to defect from al-Qa’ida and cooperate with U.S. forces. In this task, he explains for the layperson what many scholars do, but in far fewer pages. Again, this makes his work more accessible. He also works through the process of intelligence failures that are, in his opinion, produced by a superordinate policy failure housed in the upper echelons of the military structure. In essence, it was a misperception (willful or not) that guided thinking about the cause of the insurgency, that forbade an ability to properly address it with a population-centric Counterinsurgency (COIN) strategy. He pays homage to the adaptability and ingenuity of General Stanley McChrystal’s Task Force 714, but again mentions the primary barrier to its success was bureaucratic in nature.
The main thrust of chapter 3, aptly named “The Enemy Alliance,” is geared toward tying together the earlier assertion in chapter regarding the synergy between state actors like Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the like. It has been documented elsewhere, but the Iranian (non-Arab Shi’a) connection to the al-Qa’ida (Arab Sunni) terrorist organization can’t be denied. Flynn correctly points out how the relationship between strange bedfellows is not new in the Middle East. He briefly discusses how this has been the case since the 1970s, with specific reference to the PLO, Iran, Syria, Hamas, Hezbollah, Bosnia and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s. He also references President Obama’s “curious sympathy” (p. 92) for enemies in places such as Venezuela and Cuba.
General Flynn then reminds readers of some facts that have either been forgotten, or virtually unknown, by most Americans. Namely, the role that Saddam Hussein actually played with regard to the recruitment of foreign terrorists, the internal policies of appeasement for Islamists in his army and the support he lent to Islamists in other countries (e.g., Egypt, Sudan and Afghanistan). He also reminds the readers of the totalitarian mindset that consumes Islamist groups, such as al-Qa’ida and the Islamic State. All the while, and in contrast to what his detractors might opine, General Flynn is speaking of Radical Islam as a “tribal cult,” and not taking aim at the religion itself. This chapter is perhaps the most robust in the book and it is the sort of reading that every American should do before they engage in conversations about the nature of political Islam.
Chapter four is a blueprint for winning what used to be called the ‘global war on terror.’ Although such a phraseology is generally laughed at in many policy circles, it is clear, as General Flynn demonstrates, that some groups and countries are locked in combat with us and our partners in the West. Yet, as he correctly points out, the Obama administration isn’t willing to use global American leadership in order to defeat those who see us, and treat us, as their collective enemy. General Flynn’s prescription includes four strategic objectives, which I won’t recite here, as I’m not looking to violate any copyright laws. The essence of his suggestions, however, starts with an admission of who the enemy is, a commitment to their destruction, the abandonment of any unholy alliances we have made over the years, and a counter-ideological program for combating what is largely an ideologically-based enemy strong suit. He points to some of the facts that describe the dismal state of affairs in the Arab world, the most damning of which appear on pages 127-128, and then says what many are afraid to say on page 133: “Radical Islam is a totalitarian political ideology wrapped in the Islamic religion.” Nonetheless, Flynn discusses some of the more mundane and pecuniary sources of their strength and the means that might be tried in an effort to undermine them.
The concluding chapter of General Flynn’s work draws the reader’s attention to some of the works of others that have been overlooked. He then speaks candidly of the misguided assumptions that, coupled with political and bureaucratic reasons, slows adaptation to the changing threat environment. Indeed, one of the reasons that I found this book so refreshing is because that sort of bold introspection is perhaps the requisite starting point for re-thinking bad strategies. In fact, that is the essence of both the academic and practical work that I have been doing for years. I highly recommend this book, especially chapter 3, for any student of the IC and the military sciences.

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Pebble Skimmer
Do whatever it takes to win!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 11, 2020
Verified Purchase

Well written with a clear understanding of the subject. I enjoyed the early background on Michael Flynn and how he got to where he is. He presents the challenges of the battle, war and the uncomfortable truths about governments followed by a way forward. It's a good read and digestible.

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J. Rupp
No Substitute for Victory
Reviewed in Germany on December 11, 2016
Verified Purchase
Dass man seinen Feind kennen muss, um ihn besiegen zu können, ist eine alte Weisheit der Kriegskunst. Wer glaubt, sie dauerhaft mißachten zu können, wird dies in letzter Konsequenz mit dem Verlust des Krieges bezahlen. Für Generalleutnant a. D. Michael Flynn sind die Vereinigten Staaten gerade dabei, diese unangenehme Erfahrung zu machen, weil sich ihre Regierung standhaft weigert, radikale Islamisten und deren Verbündete als gemeingefährliche Feinde zu begreifen, die zu allem entschlossen sind, um „Uncle Sam“ zu besiegen und in die Knie zu zwingen.
Zusammen mit dem Publizisten Michael Ledeen hat er deshalb dieses kleine Buch geschrieben, damit der Feind eindeutig identifiziert und erfolgreich bekämpft werden kann. Im Zeitalter der politischen Korrektheit ist dies nämlich keine Selbstverständlichkeit mehr, wie die Autoren pointiert bemerken: „Political correctness forbids us to denounce radical Islamists, and our political, opinion, and academic elites dismiss out of hand the very idea of waging war against them.“
Flynn und Ledeen unterscheiden zwischen einem radikalen und einem gemäßigten Islam, wobei es aus ihrer Sicht darauf ankommt, den radikalen Islam mit allen Machtmitteln zu attackieren und gleichzeitig den moderaten Islam zu unterstützen. Langfristig halten sie eine Reformation des islamischen Glaubens für unentbehrlich.

Bei der Auseinandersetzung mit diesem fanatisierten Gegner kommt Flynn seine große Erfahrung als Nachrichtendienstoffizier in der Armee zugute. Aus diesem Grund macht er den Leser mit seinem privaten und beruflichen Hintergrund vertraut. So schildert er sein jugendliches Abgleiten in die Kleinkriminalität, wodurch er mit den Gesetzeshütern in Konflikt geriet. Dies erwies sich zumindest in der Rückschau als hilfreich, weil es ihm einen Einblick in die Denkweise und Handlungsmotivation von Verbrechern ermöglichte.
Nachdem es Flynn geschafft hatte, in die U.S. Army aufgenommen zu werden, sammelte er in den achtziger und neunziger Jahren wichtige Erfahrungswerte im Bereich der militärischen Aufklärung. Er beschreibt seine Einsätze in Grenada und Haiti, bei denen er die Relevanz von Führungsstärke, Eigenverantwortung und dem Generieren von brauchbaren Informationen erstmals klar erkannte.
In der Dekade, die auf das Ende des Kalten Krieges folgte, lernte er Persönlichkeiten wie David Petraeus und Stanley McChrystal kennen und schätzen. Unter beiden Männern würde er später in Afghanistan und im Irak dienen. Vor allem McChrystal wird von ihm sehr gelobt. Kritisch betrachtet Flynn dagegen die Anpassungsfähigkeit von militärischen Institutionen, die seiner Meinung nach viel zu viel Zeit benötigten, um sich vom Paradigma der konventionellen Kriegführung zu verabschieden. Unkonventionelle Herausforderungen wurden gerne unterschätzt und systematisch vernachlässigt.

Spätestens mit der Aufstandsbekämpfung im Verlauf des Irakkrieges änderte sich dieser Sachverhalt grundlegend. Der Autor und seine Kameraden waren nun voll damit beschäftigt, die taktische Feindaufklärung derart umzugestalten, dass sie zeitnah im Stande war, die Einsatzkräfte vor Ort mit wertvollen Informationen zu versorgen.
Durch die Verbindung von geschultem Personal, flachen Hierarchien, modernster Technik und der Bereitschaft, bürokratische Hürden zu überwinden, gelang ein Quantensprung in der militärischen Aufklärung, der ungeheure Resultate nach sich zog. Flynn hatte erkannt, dass man den islamistischen Feind keinesfalls unterschätzen durfte und dass man schneller als er sein musste, wenn man den Krieg gewinnen wollte.
Nachdem sich die Lage im Irak stabilisiert hatte, wandte man sich Afghanistan zu. Hier mussten McChrystal und Flynn zu ihrem Entsetzen feststellen, dass die amerikanischen und alliierten Truppen auf diesem komplexen Kriegsschauplatz fast ohne eine signifikante Feindaufklärung operierten. Es kam nun darauf an, dies rasch zu ändern.
Laut dem Autor waren sie dabei auf einem guten Weg, als die politischen Entscheidungsträger in Washington zu ihren Ungunsten intervenierten. General McChrystal wurde seines Kommandos enthoben und die zur Aufstandsbekämpfung benötigten Verbände wurden nach und nach reduziert. Wie schon im Irak, wo sich die amerikanischen Soldaten bis Ende 2011 komplett zurückzogen, blieben die Erfolge der US-Streitkräfte in Afghanistan von lediglich temporärer Natur. Präsident Obama und seinen Mitstreitern fehlte es offensichtlich am politischen Willen, kriegerische Auseinandersetzungen siegreich abzuschließen.

Die Autoren betrachten außerdem das internationale Umfeld, in welchem die Anhänger des radikalen Islam agieren. Es sind keineswegs nur Gruppierungen wie der Islamische Staat oder Al-Qaida, die ein ernstes Problem darstellen. Solche nichtstaatlichen Akteure werden direkt oder indirekt von Staaten unterstützt, die in fundamentaler Opposition zu den Vereinigten Staaten und zum Westen insgesamt stehen. Hierzu gehören etwa der Iran, Russland, Nordkorea, Kuba oder Venezuela. Was diese informelle Allianz verbindet, ist ihr gemeinsamer Hass auf westliche Werte und Regierungssysteme, die sie vehement ablehnen.
Beim Kampf gegen den „großen Satan“ und seine Verbündeten spielen ideologische Differenzen zwischen säkularen und theokratischen Regimen oder zwischen Sunniten und Schiiten lediglich eine untergeordnete Rolle. Sie haben den selben Feind, was für eine Kooperation ausreichend ist.
Flynn und Ledeen verdeutlichen ihre Argumentation am Beispiel des Iran. Die Islamische Republik bildet das Zentrum der feindlichen Allianz. Der schiitische Gottesstaat sponsert nicht nur schiitische Milizen und Terrorgruppen, sondern er hilft auch solchen sunnitischen Kräften, die sich aktiv am Krieg gegen die USA, Israel und andere westliche Staaten beteiligen.
Wie Flynn betont, hat die militärische Aufklärung unzählige Hinweise auf die iranischen Machenschaften zusammengetragen, die jedoch von der außenpolitischen Elite weitgehend ignoriert werden. Insbesondere Präsident Obama und sein Team waren nicht gewillt, unerfreuliche Nachrichten über ein Regime zur Kenntnis zu nehmen, mit dem sie gerade einen grundlegenden Ausgleich anstrebten.

Dass der islamistische Gegner besiegt werden muss, steht für die Autoren außer Frage. Wie dieser Sieg am besten erreicht werden kann, ist für sie die eigentliche Herausforderung. Als Erstes ist hierzu eine politische Führungsspitze von Nöten, die tatsächlich gewinnen will. „There is no substitute for victory“, wie es Douglas MacArthur einst klassisch formulierte. Mike Flynn und Michael Ledeen sehen dies ganz genauso. Mit Präsident Obama und seiner Regierung ist das aber nicht zu erreichen, weshalb sie ihre Hoffnungen auf eine neue Administration ausrichten.
Als Zweites ist es für sie unabdingbar, dass der radikale Islam als eine totalitäre Ideologie verstanden wird, der wie der Faschismus und der Kommunismus weltanschaulich diskreditiert werden muss. Der Krieg ist nicht nur auf dem Schlachtfeld, sondern auch auf dem Gebiet der Ideen zu gewinnen. Die Schwachpunkte des radikalen Islam müssen für alle sichtbar gemacht werden. Eine breit angelegte Informationskampagne ist dazu unerlässlich. Die Autoren, die keine Kulturrelativisten sind, verlangen eine Hervorhebung der eigenen Werte und Ideale, die sich zweifellos positiv von denen der Islamisten unterscheiden.
Hinzu kommen noch Vorschläge, die Flynn aus seiner nachrichtendienstlichen Praxis entnommen hat. Jason Criss Howk fasst sie in seiner Besprechung des Buches, die am 12.07.2016 im Observer erschienen ist, folgendermaßen zusammen:
„His insights from decades in the Intelligence Community are spot on and create a recipe for upgrading our capabilities. More autonomy for well-trained subordinates, no restrictions or censorship of analysis findings so that policy makers get an honest assessment, and hiring and retaining the daring people that can carry out the risky missions faced by our experts. But beyond that he offers two critical goals for the senior policymakers and leaders that direct the US Government. Provide clear policy, strategy, and objectives and make the tough decisions in a timely manner to utilize the intelligence provided. This world moves too fast for cloudy visions and a sloppy decision making process.“

Flynn, der im November des Jahres zum Nationalen Sicherheitsberater des gewählten Präsidenten ernannt wurde, hat nun in den kommenden vier Jahren die Gelegenheit, seine Vorstellungen konkret umzusetzen. Inwieweit ihm dies in der Administration von Donald Trump glücken wird, bleibt abzuwarten.
Auf jeden Fall hat er mit seiner Arbeit einen Denkanstoß geleistet, der durchaus bemerkenswert ist. In ihrem Artikel „Michael Flynn and what he means for Trump’s foreign policy“, der am 05.12.2016 in der Jerusalem Post veröffentlicht wurde, stellt Caroline Glick hierzu treffend fest: „Flynn’s book is a breath of fresh air in the acrid intellectual environment that Washington has become during the Obama administration. Writing it in this intellectually corrupt atmosphere was an act of intellectual courage.“
Noch weiter geht Paul Becker in seiner Rezension des Buches (Proceedings Magazine, Oktober 2016), wenn er etwas zu euphorisch schreibt:
„Several former Secretaries of Defense have criticized this administration’s decision-making style and policies in their recent memoirs, but Lieutenant General Flynn is the most outspoken senior uniformed officer explicitly to do so. Count on Field of Fight to be referenced for decades to come as an example of a former military intelligence official who was not afraid to speak his mind.“
Kritisch bleibt anzumerken, dass der Fokus auf den radikalen Islam dazu führt, dass die Autoren weitere geopolitische Gefährdungen ausblenden. Vor allem die chinesischen Ambitionen im westlichen Pazifik spielen in ihrer Argumentation gar keine Rolle. Davon abgesehen sind die Überlegungen von Flynn und Ledeen absolut empfehlenswert.

Jürgen Rupp

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LAFORGE
Michael shows how he is a hero
Reviewed in France on March 11, 2020
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Very interesting but a bit rude.

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Joel
It is a very good book worth reading.
Reviewed in Canada on March 20, 2025
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It is a very good book, it is worth reading. The introduction and the first 3 chapters are important.

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Je refuse la censure sur le contenu même des livres achetés et commentés
Ouvrage inintéressant sur la carrière de FLYNN et sa pensée
Reviewed in France on February 16, 2017
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Erreur d'achat liée à mon souhait de connaître la pensée du conseiller militaire de TRUMP choisi, comme BANNON, sans validation du Congrès.
Ce livre met en valeur avant tout la vanité de FLYNN (un ego susceptible d'entrer en conflit avec celui de TRUMP) et, de façon bizarre, assure un service minimum de critique de POUTINE, contredit par la réalité des liens de FLYNN avec les Russes qui lui ont coûté sa place en 3 semaines.
Son CV et son éviction de l'armée plus instructif que son livre qui confirme cependant que FLYNN est un chien fou que personne ne peut maîtriser y compris lui-même.
Il est rarissime que je ne donne pas 5 étoiles à mes achats sue Amazon. J'aurais mieux fait de tenir compte des avis critiques en anglais, mais la personnage était un élément essentiel pour notre avenir à tous à l'époque.

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The Field of Fight: How We Can Win the Global War Against Radical Islam and Its Allies Paperback – May 30, 2017

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5.0 out of 5 stars An Acknowledged Expert and Tactician Explains How to End the War on Radical Islam

5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT A GREAT BOOK. I BOUGHT MANY FOR GIFTS

4.0 out of 5 stars Looking Inward First, is What Generates the Strategy-Shifting Process. Flynn Gets This. Few Others Do.

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Do whatever it takes to win!

4.0 out of 5 stars No Substitute for Victory

4.0 out of 5 stars Michael shows how he is a hero

5.0 out of 5 stars It is a very good book worth reading.

1.0 out of 5 stars Ouvrage inintéressant sur la carrière de FLYNN et sa pensée

An Acknowledged Expert and Tactician Explains How to End the War on Radical Islam

WHAT A GREAT BOOK. I BOUGHT MANY FOR GIFTS

Looking Inward First, is What Generates the Strategy-Shifting Process. Flynn Gets This. Few Others Do.

Do whatever it takes to win!

No Substitute for Victory

Michael shows how he is a hero

It is a very good book worth reading.

Ouvrage inintéressant sur la carrière de FLYNN et sa pensée