High-Value Target: Countering al Qaeda in Yemen (ADST-DACOR Diplomats and Diplomacy)

Some readers of this review may have flunked 9th grade Latin and their knowledge of the Middle East is/was similar to that of Alan Jackson's "Where were you..." following the 9/11 attack. Other readers may be their high school valedictorian, on their way to speaking five languages and looking forward to attending Princeton. The latter group may even plan to take courses from the author of the reviewed book such as The Middle East Peace Process, Democratization in the Middle East and National Intelligence. Whichever group one may belong or tend you can be assured that the detail and clarity of thought that is High Value Target will propel you forward in your understanding of our Foreign Service efforts and in particular their counterterrorism methods. The detail, 217 very informative footnotes, is unlike anything that can be gleaned from reading news columns or books by journalists. This is not a dry recitation of events by Ambassador Hull of his three years plus in Yemen. It is rather a highly readable effort to share his reasoning and interactions with a foreign government that was on the United States Target vs. Partner bubble at the time of his appointment. Ambassador Hull is no talking head. He is a live, flesh and blood, albeit gifted human being who references siblings, his father and his wife Amal in his writing. We all, Yemen and US citizens alike, have benefited from his time in Yemen. There is a debt of gratitude to the people in our foreign service that unfortunately in most cases goes unpaid. This work will be appreciated by professionals and professional wanna be's, but, as written above by, Marguerite Wilson, this is also a "stimulating read for those of us who watch from the sidelines, but still care deeply." As of this morning President Ali Abdllah Saleh has returned to Yemen and the story continues.

Ambassador Hull (ret.) has written a fascinating behind the scenes account of his service in Yemen. The reader is treated to an insider's view of the challenges Hull and his embassy team faced in balancing the competing interests of U.S. and Yemeni policy makers, and tribal chieftans. His ability and courage to articulate and implement his vision of how to stamp out al Qaeda as a functioning terrorist group by pursuing a strategy of "no security without development and no development without security" served the citizens of the U.S. and Yemen well.We owe Mr. Hull and his wife, Amal, a huge debt of gratitude for their service under extraordinary conditions. The fact that Yemeni President Saleh wanted Hull to stay on for another term is the ultimate compliment for a departing ambassador.I strongly recommend this book for those who wish to understand the history of al Qaeda in Yemen.

After reading High Value Target I have a new appreciation for US diplomats serving abroad in difficult areas of the world. Amb. Hull's account of his time in Yemen is an eye opener and leaves me so impressed with how much he and his co-workers did with limited resources. Not often do ordinary US citizens have the opportunity to read of the behind the scenes activity involved in the decision making of our government. It was fascinating reading! I applaud all the foreign service representatives of our country and thank them for their service. Today we are so conscious of thanking members of our military and we need to also thank the hard working people from all departments of the US government who serve overseas. They and their families sacrifice so much to help promote peace and cooperation in the world.

While reading Ambassador Hull's account of his experience in Yemen I was impressed with his ability to recall the many details of his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Yemen. I felt like I was permitted access to the top secret rooms of diplomacy at a critical time in our nation's history. Hull not only shared his professional experiences in this political hotbed, but also offered sage observations for the current and future diplomatic leaders who will follow him. As Hull wrote, "Yemen's government and the United States are challenged to understand what has gone before and adapt..." This book is required reading for anyone in a position to combat the effects of Al Qaeda in Yemen and beyond. It is also a stimulating read for those of us who watch from the sidelines, but still care deeply.

Very quality book. Gives a great description of Yemeni history and a glimpse of US major interests in the country and region. Amb. Hull does not shy away from blaming a somewhat confusing and, often contradictory, US foreign policy apparatus including State, DoD, CIA, FBI, Dept. of Agriculture, USAID and more. Interestingly, Hull singles out NDI as a "do-gooder" in the larger scheme of things. Read the book, you won't regret it. Only complaint is that, at times, it reads a bit redundantly, as if the editing process was done chapter by chapter in a non-integrated fashion. Also, the author is bit self-congratulatory... Typical of most Ambassadors, though.

Edmund Hull writing style is very to point, yet at the same time helps purvey the sense & emotions going on during each situation. I really enjoyed reading this book after reading the Johnsen book on Yemen. I will continue to read books from this publishing line.

From an Ambassador's perspective, a very enjoyable read. It is a shame the limited progress Ambassador managed to see, seems to be heading the other direction now. Let us hope President Hadi gets help; he's going to need.

Amb Hull does a wonderful job of explaining the threat of AQ against US targest vis-a-vis US national security interests of keeping Yemen a viable CT partner. If you are looking for a more operational to tactical perspective of US government efforts to keep AQ at bay, recommend reading this book.

Having spent two years in the Yemen and made a study of the region I found this book particularly interesting. I would recommend this book.