Chapters 29-30 Summary and Analysis

In Spring 2000, the United States looks for new ways to approach the bin Laden problem. The CIA buys Predator drones to use in Afghanistan. Uzbekistan agrees to allow the Predator to be operated from one of its air bases while the control will be in Langley. They begin the flights over the places bin Laden is known to visit. The flights continue until winter. The group begins to concentrate on the Tarnak complex again. The families of bin Laden and his aides live in the compound.

In September the Northern Alliance loses Taloqan to the Taliban. The following month the USS Cole is attacked in Yemen. They have to develop a new plan to deal with bin Laden. Schroen feels that the United States has to work with Massoud but they cannot get approval.

Chapter Thirty begins with George...