First published 2015
CIA analyst Morris Bannerman finds himself at the center of America's most dangerous intelligence operation when Islamic State forces threaten to destabilize the entire Middle East. Operating between Washington and the field, Bannerman must navigate the treacherous world of extremist networks while his superiors debate the costs and risks of deeper U.S. involvement in Iraq and Syria. As intelligence reports flood in about the roots of the growing extremist movement, Bannerman discovers that the line between ally and enemy has never been thinner. His mission forces him to confront not only foreign threats but also the internal politics that could undermine everything he's working to protect. The stakes couldn't be higher as Bannerman races against time to prevent a catastrophic escalation that could draw America into another prolonged Middle Eastern conflict.
Genres: military-fiction, action, espionage, political-thriller
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, high-stakes
Setting: Washington, Iraq, Syria
Period: 21st-century
215 pages · Paperback · The Aspen Institute
Content warnings: violence