Events Detail

Hudson Institute

recently held a book discussion of

 The Strongest Tribe:

War, Politics, and the Endgame in Iraq

By Bing West

Thursday, September 11

12:00 – 2:00 PM

         Weinstein, Fradkin, West, and Nagl

                              Bing West

During the fierce battle for Fallujah, Bing West asked an Iraqi colonel why the arch-terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had fled in women's clothes. The colonel pointed to a Marine patrol walking by and said, "Americans are the strongest tribe."

In Iraq, America made mistake after mistake. Then the war took a sharp U-turn. Two generals—David Petraeus and Raymond Odierno—displayed the leadership America expected. West's narrative takes the reader from the White House to the fighting in the streets of Iraq, explaining the remarkable turnaround by U.S. forces.

In the course of 14 extended trips over five years, West was embedded with more than 60 frontline units and discussed strategy and tactics with corporals and generals. By describing the characters and combat in city after city, West gives the reader an in-depth understanding that will inform the debate about the war.

Bing West was assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs under President Ronald Reagan. As a correspondent for The Atlantic Monthly, West has covered the war for five years. He has authored numerous books on Iraq including No True Glory: A Frontline Account of the Battle for Fallujah and The March Up: Taking Baghdad with the United States Marines (co-authored with Maj. Gen Ray Smith). West is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations; his articles appear in The New York Times, The Wall St. Journal, and other major newspapers. He appears on National Public Radio and The Newshour with Jim Lehrer.

Dr. John Nagl, senior fellow with the Center for New American Security, provided commentary. Hudson Institute senior fellow, Hillel Fradkin, moderated the discussion.  Hudson CEO, Kenneth Weinstein, introduced the distinguished speakers.

To RSVP please email events@hudson.org or call 202-974-2418.

Betsy and Walter Stern Conference Center

Hudson Institute

1015 15th Street, NW, Sixth Floor

Washington, DC 20005