Review (PDF)

Desert Diplomat: Inside Saudi Arabia Following 9/11

In the spring of 2001, George W. Bush selected Dallas attorney Robert W. Jordan as the ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Jordan’s nomination sped through Congress in the wake of the terrorist attacks on 9/11, and he was at his post by early October, though with no prior diplomatic experience, as Saudi Arabia mandates that the U.S. Ambassador be a political appointee with the ear of the president. Hence Jordan had to learn on the job how to run an embassy, deal with a foreign culture, and protect U.S. interests, all following the most significant terrorist attacks on the United States in history.From 2001 through 2003, Jordan worked closely with Crown Prince Abdullah and other Saudi leaders on sensitive issues of terrorism and human rights, all the while trying to maintain a positive relationship to ensure their cooperation with the war in Afghanistan and the invasion of Iraq. At the same time he worked with top officials in Washington, including President Bush, Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld, Condoleezza Rice, George Tenet, and Tommy Franks. Desert Diplomat discusses these relationships as well as the historic decisions of Jordan’s tenure and provides a candid and thoughtful assessment of the sometimes distressing dysfunction in the conduct of American foreign policy, warfare, and intelligence gathering. Still involved in the Middle East, Jordan also offers important insights into the political, economic, and social changes occurring in this critical region, particularly Saudi Arabia.

File Size: 5845 KB

Print Length: 253 pages

Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1612346707

Publisher: Potomac Books (July 1, 2015)

Publication Date: July 1, 2015

Sold by:  Digital Services LLC

Language: English

ASIN: B0101CPOU2

Text-to-Speech: Enabled

X-Ray: Not Enabled

Word Wise: Enabled

Lending: Enabled

Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #512,474 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store) #34 in Books > History > Middle East > Jordan #110 in Books > History > Middle East > Saudi Arabia #180 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > International & World Politics > Diplomacy

Ambassador Jordan's account of his experiences during a critical chapter regarding the U.S. and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia relations is very easy to read and understand; and is highly recommended to those that follow international developments and events throughout the Middle East impacting the world today. "Desert Diplomat" is an outstanding book that reads exceptionally well, yet also provides the reader senior level insight to history that continues to be relevant today. "Desert Diplomat" also provides the unique perspective and insight of a civilian lawyer in private practice selected by President Bush to serve as ambassador before the events of September 11. With no previous experience or formal training as a diplomat, Robert Jordan successfully entered the world of high stakes international diplomacy as a civilian and exited as a seasoned expert on the complexities of the Middle East and Saudi Arabia. "Desert Diplomat" is highly recommended as a superb summer book that is enjoyable to read while providing an intriguing account of Robert Jordan's unique experiences as ambassador to one of the U.S's most misunderstood yet strategic allies during a very complex and crucial time in history.

Desert Diplomat is an engaging inside look at life as an ambassador and a behind the scenes, no holds barred, look at the conflicts within governments that challenge those who are trying to build relationships. Ambassador Jordan gives us an insightful education in US post 9/11 relations with Saudi Arabia and the dynamics of that area of the world as he shares his personal experiences. His account of his experiences is honest and easy to understand as he takes the readers through the complicated politics of the Middle East.

This book pulls back the curtain on the considerations that drive and shape diplomacy in the Middle East and is a fascinating read. Informative yet entertaining, Bob Jordan is that rare sort of highly intelligent person who can still maintain an objective analysis even when providing his own account of events and decisions. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand modern diplomacy as told by an insider who initially was not an insider at all but who proved to be successful by careful thought and reasoned action.

"A fascinating read from start to finish. Robert Jordan has done a superb job in taking a topic of enormous magnitude, and telling his story in a very engaging fashion. Well done."

The two year journey of a non-politician who was appointed ambassador to Saudi Arabia at the time of the 9/11 crisis. A fascinating insight into the Bush administration confirming some of our worst fears, without the political posturing; and it gives us insight into where we are now and helps us pose question regarding where we are going. He does this without being over critical of either Bush or Obama and gives us insight into the complexity of the issues internationally and internally that one has to deal with. Pleasantly surprised with reading it; it was our history book club choice and well worth it.

Bob Jordan offers a compelling inside view of the events and relationships between Saudi Arabia and the United States of America. His global experience and thoughtful account will give you pause. It will also give you heightened respect for those representing our country and serving as our diplomatic negotiators in a generation where global presence is not just a 'nice to have' but a necessity for our global security and the health of our nation. Hats off to Ambassador Jordan for a well written and insightful book.

Desert Diplomat is an enormously informative and entertaining look at our relationship with Saudi Arabia, one of our most important allies in one of the most important regions of the world. The book is the author's personal account of his dealings and contacts with the Saudi leaders, President Bush and many others who were in charge of running the U.S. government. This is "inside baseball" for anyone who is interested in international relations.

Fascinating read on the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia from a front row seat during 911. Ambassador Jordan does a great job explaining the complex relationship between our countries. Must read for those interested in 911 and Saudi Arabian politics.

Desert Diplomat: Inside Saudi Arabia Following 9/11 Nightmares in the Saudi Arabian Desert: Autobiography (The Saudi Nightmare Trilogy Book 1) Paramedic to the Prince: An American Paramedic's Account of Life Inside the Mysterious World of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Inside the Kingdom: Kings, Clerics, Modernists, Terrorists, and the Struggle for Saudi Arabia Merciless Struggle: Escaping Saudi Arabia (The Nightmare Trilogy Book 2) Saudi Arabia and Iran: Power and Rivalry in the Middle East On Saudi Arabia: Its People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines - and Future Sectarian Gulf: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the Arab Spring That Wasn't (Stanford Briefs) Saudi Arabia on the Edge: The Uncertain Future of an American Ally (Council on Foreign Relations Books (Potomac Books)) The History of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia in the Oil Era: Regime and Elites; Conflict and Collaboration Thicker Than Oil: America's Uneasy Partnership with Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia by the First Photographers King Faisal of Saudi Arabia: Personality, Faith and Times Folktales from the Arabian Peninsula: Tales of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates, and Yemen (World Folklore) Arabia Felix: An Exploration of the Archaeological History of Yemen (Origins of Arabia) Making the Desert Modern: Americans, Arabs, and Oil on the Saudi Frontier, 1933-1973 (Culture, Politics, and the Cold War) A Woman in Arabia: The Writings of the Queen of the Desert (Penguin Classics) Only Beautiful Please: A British Diplomat in North Korea Flight Path: Son of Africa to Warrior-Diplomat