Hard Measures: How Aggressive CIA Actions After 9/11 Saved American Lives

Puerto Rican-born Jose A. Rodriguez, Jr., served the United States for twenty-five years as an undercover officer before bringing his wealth of field knowledge to the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center. In his riveting and fascinating life story, Rodriguez discloses the undercover operations and tactics implemented during the George W. Bush presidency—approved by the highest levels of the U.S. government, certified as legal by the Department of Justice, and supported by bipartisan leadership of congressional intelligence oversight committees.

But as the shock of 9/11 faded, the tools needed to successfully fight terrorism were banished, and the men and women who volunteered to battle al-Qaeda found themselves second-guessed, hamstrung, and investigated—including Rodriguez himself. In Hard Measures, Rodriguez convincingly argues for the techniques used, explaining when these techniques were necessary, why they worked, and how, ultimately, they contributed to the capture of the world’s most-wanted terror operatives, including Osama bin Ladin. From law school student to CIA recruit to his role as America’s top spy, Rodriguez’s full story is a rare, insider’s look at an issue that demands attention. Above all, it’s a reasoned, imperative, and fully informed case for hard measures, and a gripping account of the real war on terror—where it’s been and where it’s headed.

The explosive New York Times bestseller by the pioneer of the CIAs highly controversial “enhanced interrogation techniques”

Former Chief of the CIAs Counterterrorism Center, Jose A. Rodriguez, Jr., reveals how, in the wake of 9/11, government-approved hard measures used on captured high-level al Qaida operatives derailed terrorist threats to the U.S., contributed to the capture of Usama bin Ladin, and saved countless American lives. That is, until initial support gave way to shortsighted political correctness, leaving those responsible for protecting our nation second-guessed, hamstrung, and investigated. In effect, the United States has chosen to willfully and unilaterally disarm itself in the war on terror.

In Hard Measures, Rodriguez melds his fascinating life story with a reasoned, previously untold, and convincing case for hard measures. Fully disclosing explosive details of when and how they were used, and why these methods were necessary, he offers a rare, insiders look at an issue that seizes public attention and inspires vigorous debate.