Of course invasion of Afghanistan before 911 is a ridiculous idea and has nothing to do with the price of tea in China.

Clarke also says that aid to the northern alliance and predator missions would have had no effect.

Tony adds that Clarke also doubts shaking down the intelligence services would have had an effect.

Isn't this thread about what could have prevented 911? Just what are you or Clarke saying Bush could have done that would have prevented 911.

The nationality of the 911 perps is unimportant. They were all Muslims.

I have not read his book. Is there a place in the book that Clarke says, "If only Bush had done this or that 911 would have been averted."? I am disinclined to believe there was such a this or that.

I believe that 911 was probably inevidable given our long term policies re Israel, GWI, and Saudi Arabia and the fact that we are not a police state.

Could we have a better relationship with the Muslims? We probably could but where we are is based on at least 50-60 years of U.S. policy (forget about 50 more of European policy). Monday morning quarterbacking the last 2 administrations is pointless.

A 50-60 year ass kissing festival with the Muslims (no Jewish homeland)would have probably saved a lot of lives in the short term. I doubt it would have solved the long term problem of Muslim anti modernism.

Given what has gone before and what we have at hand, I am not optimistic that there will be any peaceful solution by this or any future administration.

If this were not an election year Clarke and his book wouldn't be news. It is just politics.