Plan of Attack: The Definitive Account of the Decision to Invade Iraq

Bob Woodward documents the secret preparations and high-level deliberations within the George W. Bush administration that led to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Drawing on interviews with over 75 key officials, the narrative tracks the internal shift in focus from the war in Afghanistan to the perceived threat posed by Saddam Hussein. The text details the logistical planning of General Tommy Franks, the intelligence gathering on weapons of mass destruction, and the private discussions between President Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, and Colin Powell.

This book serves readers interested in executive branch operations and the mechanics of foreign policy. It provides a technical look at how a White House builds a case for military action and handles internal dissent among cabinet members. Readers gain a granular view of the friction between the State Department and the Pentagon. By the end, the audience understands the specific bureaucratic processes and personal dynamics that drove the United States toward a preemptive strike in the Middle East.