Killer Elite
Completely Revised and Updated: The Inside Story of America's Most Secret Special Operations Team
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2.8 • 4 Ratings
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- $5.99
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
For the first time ever, the explosive truth behind the world's most secret Special Operations organization
A top-secret U.S. Army Special Operations unit has been running covert missions all over the world, from leading death squads to the hideout of drug baron Pablo Escobar to capturing Saddam Hussein and, in one of the greatest special operations missions of all time, helping to track down al-Qa'eda leader Osama bin Laden. "The Activity," as it became known to insiders, has achieved near-mythical status, even among the world's Special Operations elite. Hidden from the politicians and the government bean counters, the Activity has been carrying out deniable operations, preparing the way for Delta and SEAL Team Six.
Now journalist Michael Smith gets inside this clandestine military team to expose their explosive history and secrets. Smith has spoken to many former members of the Activity and reveals the incredible truth behind the world's most secret Special Operations organization, a unit that is at the forefront of the War on Terror.
About the Author:
Michael Smith writes on defense for the Sunday Times of London. A former member of the British Army's Intelligence Corps, Smith covered the wars in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq and has broken a number of important stories. He is the award-winning author of numerous bestselling books, including MI6: The Real James Bonds.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Former British intelligence officer Smith (The Emperor's Codes) shines a light on one of the U.S. Army's blackest agencies and best-kept secrets, the Intelligence Support Activity aka the Activity in this extensively researched and crisply written expos . The Activity was established, after the failed attempt to rescue the American hostages in Iran in 1980, as "a dedicated special operations intelligence unit" to provide signals, imagery and human intelligence to other black units: e.g., the army's Delta Force. Although opposed by army traditionalists, the Activity proved itself in operations from El Salvador to Iraq, playing important roles in tracking down Colombian drug czar Pablo Escobar, Somali warlord Mohamed Farah Aideed and several prominent Bosnian war criminals. Since 9/11 and Operation Iraqi Freedom have exposed the shortcomings of U.S. intelligence, the size and scope of the Activity has, according to the author, "dramatically increased." Drawing on recently declassified documents and confidential interviews with key participants, Smith has produced an important primer for anyone hoping to understand the (usually quiet) successes and the (well-documented) failures of U.S. intelligence in the last 25 years. 16 pages color photo insert.
Customer Reviews
Not the insight expected
Introduction or sample given suggests this is a good history or insight into the ‘ISA’. Once the intro’s done, it’s basically one of those long winded and boring stories that a retired parent might tell about buying groceries.
There’s plenty of accounts of what US spec ops have done since Vietnam (don’t expect Billy Waugh, though).
I didn’t come for this, thus far I’m being fed regurgitated Cold War semi-propaganda, that is less fulfilling than waiting in line for a lukewarm, overpriced fish burger with soggy lettuce.