The Iron Triangle: Inside the Secret World of the Carlyle Group

To the outside observer, the Carlyle Group–one of the largest private equity firms in the world–may seem like just another company trying to maneuver its way through the complex world of finance and investing. But there is more to this organization than meets the eye. With $14 billion under management, an employee roster that reads like a who’s who from the worlds of business and politics, and hundreds of defense, aerospace, telecom, and healthcare companies in its portfolio, the Carlyle Group operates within a powerful and profitable world known as the iron triangle–a place where industry, government, and the military converge.

But, for the Carlyle Group, doing business at the murky intersection of Washington politics, national security, and private capital has come at a price. According to some, the Carlyle Group is a company that epitomizes corporate cronyism, conflicts of interest, and war profiteering–and they may be right.

In The Iron Triangle: Inside the Secret World of the Carlyle Group, award-winning business journalist Dan Briody closely examines the dealings of this group and explores the high-powered individuals who make up a company which is enigmatically self-described as "a vast interlocking global network." You’ll go inside the Carlyle Group and watch how deals are made and governments swayed to accept the Carlyle way. And you’ll learn how questions abound when you’re playing for keeps.

Witness how the Carlyle Group:

• Profited from the September 11th terrorist attacks and continues to profit from the ongoing war on terrorism
• Pried open the wallets of Saudi Arabia and South Korea through the whirlwind business trips of former President George Bush
• Liquidated holdings from the estranged family of Osama bin Laden only after news reports revealed the company’s association with the family
• Went into overdrive to save the outdated Crusader howitzer which was being built by United Defense–a Carlyle company
• Was born through the Great Eskimo Tax Scam–a tax loophole used by cofounders Stephen Norris and David Rubenstein that has since been sewn up
• Found what would become their identity–defense contracting–with the help of former Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci

Full of clandestine meetings, quid pro quo deals, bitter ironies, and petty jealousies, The Iron Triangle is a penetrating investigation that will lead you into a world that few could ever imagine.

"The Carlyle Group is a distressing example of the way Washington, D.C., works. The Iron Triangle gives you an insider’s perspective on this creature of the Beltway."

–Thomas Fitton, President, Judicial Watch, Inc.

"Undoubtedly, the story of the Carlyle Group is fascinating . . . a book worth reading."

–Professional Investor, June 2003

From The Iron Triangle:

Dwight D. Eisenhower, upon leaving the office of president in 1961, warned future generations against the dangers of a "military-industrial complex," and the "grave implications" of the "conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry." The wisdom of these comments has clearly been lost in the forty years since Ike left office. And the first step towards turning things around is understanding how we got here. No single company can illustrate that progression better than the Carlyle Group, a business founded on a tax scheme in 1987 that has grown up to be what its own marketing literature once called "a vast interlocking global network." The company does business at the confluence of the war on terrorism and corporate responsibility. It is a world that few of us can even imagine, full of clandestine meetings, quid pro quo deals, bitter ironies, and petty jealousies. And the cast of characters includes some of the most famous and powerful men in the world. This is today’s America. This is the Carlyle Group.

A penetrating look at the company at the nexus of big business, government, and defense

The Carlyle Group is one of the largest private equity firms in the world with over $13 billion in funds. Carlyle's investments include everything from defense contractors to telecommunications and aerospace companies. But there is more to this company than meets the eye. Carlyle's executives include heavyweights from the worlds of business and politics, such as former secretary of defense and CIA deputy director Frank Carlucci, former secretary of state James Baker III, former President George Bush, former UK Prime Minister John Major, and former chairman of the SEC Arthur Levitt. Osama Bin Laden's estranged family was personally invested in the group until recently. In The Iron Triangle, journalist Dan Briody examines a company at the nexus of big business, government, and defense that, according to some sources, epitomizes corporate cronyism, conflicts of interest, and war profiteering. This fascinating examination leads readers into a w orld that few can imagine-full of clandestine meetings, quid pro quo deals, bitter ironies, and pettyjealousies. And the cast of characters includes some of the most powerful men in the world. Strap in, because this ride could get a little bumpy.

Dan Briody (New York, NY) is an award-winning business journalist whose Red Herring article Carlyle's Way broke the story on the inner workings of the Carlyle Group. Briody has appeared on numerous radio and television programs covering the Carlyle Group and has become a primary source for other journalists covering this story. Briody's articles have appeared in Forbes, Red Herring, and the Industry Standard.

DAN BRIODY is an award-winning business journalist who has written for Forbes, Wired, Red Herring, and the Industry Standard. Briody is credited with breaking the story on the Carlyle Group. Since Red Herring published his article "Carlyle’s Way," Briody has appeared on numerous radio and television programs to discuss the Carlyle Group and has become a primary source for other journalists covering this story. Briody’s latest book, The Halliburton Agenda, untangles a complex web of political power plays and deceptive deals that have allowed Dick Cheney’s former company to prosper.

Foreword.

Time Line.

Cast of Characters.

Prologue—Meet the Carlyle Group.

1. The Politician, the Businessman, and the Unlucky Eskimos.

2. Craterair.

3. Mr. Clean

4. Carlucci's Connections.

5. Getting Defensive.

6. An Arabian White Knight.

7. Vinnell's Executive Mercenaries.

8. Out of the Shadows.

9. Breaking the Bank.

10. Buying Bush.

11. Family Business.

12. Big Guns.

13. 9/11/01.

Epilogue.

Afterword.

Appendix A. Company Capsules.

Appendix B. Carlyle Correspondences.

Acknowledgments.

Notes.

Bibliography.

Index.