Hunting the Caliphate
America's War on ISIS and the Dawn of the Strike Cell
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Narrated by:
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Mike Chamberlain
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Shawn Compton
About this listen
In this vivid first-person narrative, a Special Operations Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) and his commanding general give fascinating and detailed accounts of America's fight against one of the most barbaric insurgencies the world has ever seen.
In the summer of 2014, three years after America's full troop withdrawal from the Iraq War, President Barack Obama authorized a small task force to push back into Baghdad. Their mission: protect the Iraqi capital and US embassy from a rapidly emerging terrorist threat.
A plague of brutality, that would come to be known as ISIS, had created a foothold in northwest Iraq and northeast Syria. It had declared itself a Caliphate - an independent nation-state administered by an extreme and cruel form of Islamic law - and was spreading like a newly evolved virus. Soon, a massive and devastating US military response had unfolded.
Hear the ground truth on the senior military and political interactions that shaped America's war against ISIS, a war unprecedented in both its methodology and its application of modern military technology.
©2019 Dana J. H. Pittard and Wes J. Bryant (P)2019 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
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- Murder, Espionage, Vengeance, and the Untold Story of the Destruction of ISIS
- By: Samuel M. Katz
- Narrated by: Sean Patrick Hopkins
- Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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No Shadows in the Desert reveals the untold story of the behind-the-scenes fight against ISIS - one coordinated by heads of state and ultimately fought in the alleyways and open deserts of the Middle Eastern battlefield by spies and soldiers. Samuel M. Katz draws upon his sources within the global intelligence and counterterrorism community, as well as the international special operations and espionage fraternity, to tell the story of the covert campaign against ISIS by the operatives who ventured deeply and secretly into enemy territory.
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Simply Anti- Trump writer
- By Shon Cooke on 07-03-21
By: Samuel M. Katz
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Putin's Wars
- From Chechnya to Ukraine
- By: Mark Galeotti
- Narrated by: David Sibley
- Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Putin's Wars is a timely overview of the conflicts in which Russia has been involved since Vladimir Putin became prime minister and then president of Russia, from the First Chechen War to the two military incursions into Georgia, the annexation of Crimea and the eventual invasion of Ukraine itself. But it also looks more broadly at Putin's recreation of Russian military power and its expansion to include a range of new capabilities, from mercenaries to operatives in a relentless information war against Western powers.
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Botched Attempt on Russian Stress
- By Alexey B. on 12-20-22
By: Mark Galeotti
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The CIA War in Kurdistan
- The Untold Story of the Northern Front in the Iraq War
- By: Sam Faddis
- Narrated by: Paul Boehmer
- Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
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In 2002, Sam Faddis was named to head a CIA team that would enter Iraq to facilitate the deployment of follow-on conventional military forces numbering more than 40,000 American soldiers. This force, built around the 4th Infantry Division, would, in partnership with Kurdish forces and with the assistance of Turkey, engage Saddam's army in the North as part of a coming invasion. Faddis expected to be on the ground in Iraq within weeks, the entire campaign likely to be over by summer. The 4th Infantry Division never arrived, nor did any other conventional forces in substantial number.
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Highly Recommended Read
- By Bill Brown on 11-11-21
By: Sam Faddis
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Why We Lost
- A General's Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
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Over a 35-year career, Daniel Bolger rose through the army infantry to become a three-star general, commanding in both theaters of the U.S. campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. He participated in meetings with top-level military and civilian players, where strategy was made and managed. At the same time, he regularly carried a rifle alongside rank-and-file soldiers in combat actions - unusual for a general.
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An apolitical account of our recent wars.
- By DMgraphicGlass on 04-07-15
By: Daniel Bolger
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No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy
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- By: Jim Proser
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The first in-depth look at the marine hero who has become one of the most beloved and admired men in America today: Secretary of Defense James Mattis. In this illuminating biography, Jim Proser looks beyond Mattis’ professional competence to focus on the driving element behind Mattis’ success: his unimpeachable character - a formidable personal integrity that fosters universal confidence. Proser carefully examines the events of Mattis’ life and career to reveal a man who leads with insight, humor, fighting courage, and fierce compassion.
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Final 7 minutes is all that covers SecDef
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Surprise, Kill, Vanish
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From Pulitzer Prize finalist Annie Jacobsen, the untold story of the CIA's secret paramilitary units.
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Lots of facts, offset by too much fiction
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First In
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- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
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While America held its breath in the days immediately following 9/11, a small but determined group of CIA agents covertly began to change history. This is the riveting first-person account of the treacherous top-secret mission inside Afghanistan to set the stage for the defeat of the Taliban and launch the war on terror. As thrilling as any novel, First In is a uniquely intimate look at a mission that began the US retaliation against terrorism - and reclaimed the country of Afghanistan for its people.
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Interesting Insight
- By Jack on 11-17-24
By: Gary C. Schroen
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Masters of Chaos
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- By: Linda Robinson
- Narrated by: Kirsten Potter
- Length: 14 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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Special Forces soldiers are daring, seasoned troops from America's heartland, selected in a tough competition and trained in an extraordinary range of skills. They know foreign languages and cultures and unconventional warfare better than any US fighters, and while they prefer to stay out of the limelight, veteran war correspondent Linda Robinson gained access to their closed world. She traveled with them on the frontlines, interviewed them at length on their home bases, and studied their doctrine, methods, and history.
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Story of Special Forces
- By Austin Pearson on 02-28-18
By: Linda Robinson
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War with Russia
- An urgent warning from senior military command
- By: General Sir General Sir Richard Shirreff
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Closely modeled on his NATO experience of war gaming future conflicts, War with Russia is a chilling account of where we are heading if we fail to recognise the threat posed by the Russian president. Written by the recently retired Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe and endorsed by senior military figures, this audiobook shows how war with Russia could erupt, with the bloodiest and most appalling consequences, if the necessary steps are not taken urgently.
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Great Book with Outstanding Narrator
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Fiasco
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The American military is a tightly sealed community, and few outsiders have reason to know that a great many senior officers view the Iraq war with incredulity and dismay. But many officers have shared their anger with renowned military reporter Thomas E. Ricks, and in Fiasco, Ricks combines these astonishing on-the-record military accounts with his own extraordinary on-the-ground reportage to create a spellbinding account of an epic disaster.
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History not Politics
- By Scott on 08-10-06
By: Thomas E. Ricks
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What listeners say about Hunting the Caliphate
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Brian
- 03-17-20
Must read for all policy makers, & isolationists
This was the best book I've listened to this year.
I had so many insights in this read, as well as confirmations of some deep held beliefs it is a challenge to organize my thoughts.
First, about the book itself. This is the first book military memoir type book that captures both the Senior Officer's and Senior Non-Commissioned Officer's perspective--(think Sergeants and Generals to the civilians out there) and it was absolutely brilliant. In officer candidate school, one of my TACs said (24 years ago, so probably a bit more my language than his at this point), "Gentlemen, there is a difference between the Commander's and his Senior Non-Com's perspective. It might be summarized best as (Officer) Mission First, Men Always. The NCO's perspective is Men Always, Mission First."
My understanding now, after being an NCO and a Commander is what I would describe as the friction that creates the best Coarse of Action. There are times when my NCO and I would go to the mat about an idea I had--and from that respectful arm-wrestling/wrangling--everything is taken care of with aplomb. The O cannot see everything, nor understand what all his men are feeling (as much as he/she may try), but it is unlikely they have had their PT shorts stolen from the dryer while trying to race out to formation. The NCOs, suffer similar myopias. Just because the Commander isn't doing the actual PMCS on a vehicle, doesn't mean he is loafing. Orders production and MDMP are rigorous, painful planning processes which take as much energy as any physical demands the Soldier may experience.
This book captures some of that friction brilliantly. Wes's frustration and sometimes disdain for the senior officers' decisions are palpable, and understandable--and yet with MG Pittard's perspective one can truly appreciate the immense pressure command truly holds. It breaks many people.
One of the beliefs that was profoundly confirmed in this book is: Character = Leadership. It also confirms the selection of, and training/molding the US Army implements for USMA and promotion to General Officer. I have never met MG Pittard, but after listening to the book I'd follow him straight to hell if needed. It was his character that enabled the coalition (middle Eastern, not our NATO friends) to decide to fight, stop infighting with each other (Iraqi/Kurds for example) and turn the tide against ISIS. His character is also revealed in how he fought for his men in theater with senior officers and politicians to support the fight--and if the decision was still against what he wanted, he saluted and executed. That is Leadership. All good leaders are also able and willing followers.
Wes's (no offense, but I can never remember the AF ranks, and need to get this review done before I forget...) leadership style is indicative of the NCO style. It is more raw. Generally contains a few more f-bombs than the Commander's language--but it is the language of the Soldier. It is real. It is deeply, movingly dedicated to helping his brothers. He loses his shit when he sees his men in danger--to the point of nearly disobeying orders. Those feelings are real and justified.
Lastly, I want to tie this back to some insights this book gave me. Most of it is during the Obama administration, which, in from my perspective was an absolute TRAIN WRECK in foreign policy. To leave Iraq in 2011 was criminally negligent, and cost so many lives by enabling the genesis of ISIS. I felt this while in uniform, and believe it to this day.
HOWEVER, something that occurred to me as my self-righteous indignation began to surface again and again during this listen--I have to remember the economic disaster our country faced; the very, very heated disdain for the Iraq war, and the very real domestic issues our country faced. Wes does a very admirable job of pointing out how Trump's policies were just as inchoate. What occurred to me is the anger I felt towards the Obama Administration may be the same anger other constituencies who may feel unheard and unseen. Obama put those constituents before mine. Who is right? Who is wrong? Both of us.
Get's me back to the friction of a stellar command team, and maybe a thought about how we choose our political leaders. When we first elected the President and Vice President (I think..this is like 5th grade history), the losing candidate became the Vice. Maybe that is how we should choose our leaders.
One side/one man can be 100% wrong all by himself. Totally. However, it is IMPOSSIBLE to be 100% correct without having a respectful, sometimes fractious, friction-filled discussion/arguement about how to move forward. We cannot see/feel/understand everyone's perspective, and these blindspots are dangerous. People get hurt. People get left behind. We need the warrior/hunter to go outside the wire to protect the tribe. This guy isn't ever really thinking about how to equally distribute the spoils. Not that he's evil, he mind is simply focused elsewhere--protection, defense, food. Inside the wire, equally important problems are being solved. How to distribute the tribe's resources, the welfare of the sick or enfeebled. We need both.
There are 33 flavors, but it's all made from milk. We need to get back to the milk.
bsn
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- Chris Hedgecock
- 08-30-19
very informative
Couldn't put it down. The story moves quickly. The Russians are pretty evil for their bombing campaign focused on killing civilians.
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- malaika
- 12-03-19
Great read
It’s always good to take a look at different views of the wars we fight and especially from the people we fight with. This was a great read on the war in Iraq and Syria.
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- Anthony
- 12-19-19
Disconnected and Dry
This is the driest book I've come across. The only people who like the strike cell are war weary old heads and generals that like numbers. this book is murderously dry and makes the TOC sound like the true tip of the spear. what a joke.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Rick Lynch
- 03-03-20
Thank you for this book
As a combat veteran of that region, I appreciate the candor of this book. I wore the RANGER tab for 23 years. We need more truth Ike this.
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2 people found this helpful
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- keS
- 02-23-20
Fantastic insights
I was Dana Pittard’s intelligence officer for three years. A brilliant human and phenomenal leader. I would follow him anywhere.
Hunting the Caliphate is a great insight in to the strategic, operational, and tactical elements of a complicated conflict.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Albert W Farnsworth
- 04-02-22
Excellent! Highly recommend
Intriguing insight into the minds of our heroes. Fantastic story. It’s
Definitely worth the purchase
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- Anonymous User
- 12-04-22
Paints the picture of the fight against ISIS
Very informative of the tactical approach to fighting ISIS and related strategic implications. I found the the book’s substance very valuable but was not impressed with arrogance of the authors. Someone not familiar with the military would walk away thinking the two authors defeated the Islamic Caliphate by themselves.
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- AN
- 05-03-22
If you’re going to read this…
… read it for Wes Bryant’s account of being a JTAC. His account is generally accurate, and provides a valuable insight into the fight against ISIS-K.
MG Pittard’s accounts, however, might best be described as inspired by actual events, with a strong bias toward chest-thumping self-aggrandizement.
Would not buy again.
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