The Looming Tower

Lawrence Wright's book provides both a good explanation for the events leading up to 9/11 as well as the involvement of specified individuals such as Osama Bin Laden (who is quoted as saying “Wherever you are, death will find you even in the looming tower") in these same events. It also provides interesting insight on how targeted terrorist groups came into being. 

I find it very interesting that Wright provided many intimate details in his writing that could have been useful for US intelligence in uncovering the truth behind the plot of 9/11. It was a combination of the lack of information as well as the lack of cooperation between the agencies that resulted in the delay of information to our nation's officials and to the public.

This lack/withholding of information is a common practice for agencies such as the CIA and the FBI for reasons of national security, but I find that it is important to keep the people of the nation well informed with what is happening while, at the same time, avoid giving too much information that may cause mass panic and chaos.

Journalism plays an important role in uncovering the truth in crisis situations like these and I believe that it is the journalists job to tell the public the truth if information is uncovered by these agencies.

If these agencies work together and openly disclose what information they have to each other, it will be possible to coordinate better anti terrorist cooperatives and prevent future attacks from happening on American soil. 

The NY Times gives a very insightful opinion on The Looming Tower which you can check out here. 

You can also feel free to watch Lawrence Wright speak on the topic of Al Qaeda at Princeton on YouTube.