Targeted: Beirut The 1983 Marine Barracks bombing and the untold origin story of the war on terror

Carr, a former Navy SEAL, teamed up with Scott (The Citadel) for this account of the US Marines' peacekeeping operations in Lebanon in 1983. The story begins with the Marines teaming up with the Navy for offshore peacekeeping operations in September 1982. The authors then concentrate on Hezbollah's car bombing of the US embassy in Beirut in April 1983. Later that year, the massive terror truck bombing of the US Marines Barracks precipitated the American withdrawal in 1984. They also explore the unexpected withdrawal of Israeli troops prior to that, which created an opening for Syria and Iran to support Druze fighters who opposed the Phalangists, and exposed President Reagan's weak diplomacy. In the US, Secretary of State George Shultz battled Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger over whether to maintain US troops on the ground. The May 17 Agreement attempted a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, but it was never enforced. More than 40 years after these attacks, the political situation in Lebanon remains fragile. This is a detailed account of the US Marine peacekeeping mission in Lebanon and the difficulties it faced regarding boots on the ground and diplomatic support. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers and professionals. --Andrew Mark Mayer, emeritus, College of Staten Island/CUNY

Excerpted from Targeted: Beirut: The 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing and the Untold Origin Story of the War on Terror by Jack Carr, James M. Scott All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.