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Path of Blood: The Story of Al Qaeda's War on Saudi Arabia
Path of Blood tells the gripping and horrifying true story of the underground army which Osama Bin Laden created in order to attack his number one target: his home country, Saudi Publishing in paperback to coincide with the documentary film release, Path of Blood tells the horrifying true story of the underground army which Osama Bin Laden created in order to attack his number one target: his home country, Saudi Arabia. His aim was to conquer the land of the Two Holy Mosques, the birthplace of Islam and, from there, to re-establish a Muslim Empire that could take on the West and win.
Thomas Small and Jonathan Hacker use new insider evidence to expose the real story behind the Al Qaeda. Far from the image of single-minded holy warriors they presented to the world, the bands of soldiers are shown to be riven by infighting and lack of discipline. Yet the threat they posed was unquestionable. Ill-disciplined or not, these were men who killed with impunity, and who tried to acquire a nuclear bomb.
Drawing on unprecedented access to Saudi government archives, interviews with top intelligence officials in the Middle East and in the West, as well as with captured Al Qaeda militants, and with access to exclusive captured video footage from Al Qaeda cells, Path of Blood tells the full story of the terrorist campaign and the desperate attempt by Saudi Arabia's internal security services to put a stop to it.
Thomas Small and Jonathan Hacker use new insider evidence to expose the real story behind the Al Qaeda. Far from the image of single-minded holy warriors they presented to the world, the bands of soldiers are shown to be riven by infighting and lack of discipline. Yet the threat they posed was unquestionable. Ill-disciplined or not, these were men who killed with impunity, and who tried to acquire a nuclear bomb.
Drawing on unprecedented access to Saudi government archives, interviews with top intelligence officials in the Middle East and in the West, as well as with captured Al Qaeda militants, and with access to exclusive captured video footage from Al Qaeda cells, Path of Blood tells the full story of the terrorist campaign and the desperate attempt by Saudi Arabia's internal security services to put a stop to it.
497 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 1, 2015
As anyone who knows me will attest, I'm a current affairs, international affairs, and political geek. As well as crime fiction, I consume a healthy dose of accounts of the world's trouble spots and issues. Path of Blood is a non fiction account of the Saudi state's battle against al Qaeda and quite simply it's brilliant.
There are many reasons this stands out amongst other books dealing with conflicts around the world, but one of the biggest is it's eschewing of what might be described as the Western-centric outlook. Most books of this ilk - be they dealing with the conflict in Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other - view the world through the prism of America and it's allies. While many try to at least consider the views and feelings of the local populace, this consideration is secondary to that of "our boys fighting on the ground", our political class, public opinion back home.
Path of Blood is I think unique in approaching a conflict almost completely from the perspective of the nation concerned. While American, and to a lesser extent British, political reaction is touched upon, the perspective is almost entirely Saudi. The Saudi royals in charge of their nation's counter terrorism instead of our politicians, Saudi Ministry of Interior officers instead of MI6/CIA, Saudi public opinion, and yes, Saudi jihadists.
The second reason this book is so good is that it deals with a conflict that was overshadowed in the West. While Western public opinion was focused on Iraq and Afghanistan, the Saudi's were fighting an indigenous terror campaign of their own. While the major bombings and massacres broke onto CNN, BBC, etc, on the whole this conflict wasn't covered by the Western media. Not only do the authors comprehensively detail this conflict - that while never seriously threatening to overthrow the Saudi state, certainly posed a serious threat to it - as mentioned above, they do so almost entirely from an intimate Saudi perspective.
A further reason this book is set apart from others of its ilk is due to its access. Quite simply the Saudi state seems to have flung the doors open for the authors. They're granted access to MOI officers to interview, the Saudi royals give interviews, and they're granted access to seized video tapes and transcripts of interrogation of jihadists. The video tapes seized from jihadists in particular are instructive, providing an unparalleled glimpse into the jihadist mindset. Some of it is quite bizarre and reminiscent of the film Four Lions, with the jihadists a combination of sinister and bungling dad's army.
Finally, this book gives a more nuanced view of Saudi Arabia than the one-dimensional perspective we're used to in the West. Say Saudi Arabia to the average person and after "oil" and "sand", they're likely to think of oppression of women, public beheadings and amputations, and a fanatical nation of Wahabbi's supporting al Qaeda and Islamic fundamentalist terror more broadly. This book shows this to be a simplistic picture. Instead, we're shown a nation struggling with modernisation, who's people on the whole don't support terrorism, who are dismayed by the killing of foreigners on their soil. We're shown the real strides the Saudi state has made to both combat terrorism at home and abroad and to stop the financing of terror.
The Saudi security forces clearly don't have the skill set of British/American militaries - for example when raiding compounds they announce their presence though loudhailers demanding the terrorists surrender, thus eschewing any factor of surprise. The raids thus inevitably result in large numbers of casualties and jihadists shooting their way through cordons and making their escape. But the officers concerned are undoubtedly brave and I was struck by the casualties they took. Some of the firefights described are like something out of the wild west, with jihadists battling away with the security forces for hours.
All in all this is a brilliant read. It gives an understanding of the campaign of terror the Saudi state faced down, the mindset of the jihadis themselves, the readiness and flaws of the Saudi security forces, and perhaps most importantly a more nuanced and sympathetic view of Saudi society than we are used to.
There are many reasons this stands out amongst other books dealing with conflicts around the world, but one of the biggest is it's eschewing of what might be described as the Western-centric outlook. Most books of this ilk - be they dealing with the conflict in Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other - view the world through the prism of America and it's allies. While many try to at least consider the views and feelings of the local populace, this consideration is secondary to that of "our boys fighting on the ground", our political class, public opinion back home.
Path of Blood is I think unique in approaching a conflict almost completely from the perspective of the nation concerned. While American, and to a lesser extent British, political reaction is touched upon, the perspective is almost entirely Saudi. The Saudi royals in charge of their nation's counter terrorism instead of our politicians, Saudi Ministry of Interior officers instead of MI6/CIA, Saudi public opinion, and yes, Saudi jihadists.
The second reason this book is so good is that it deals with a conflict that was overshadowed in the West. While Western public opinion was focused on Iraq and Afghanistan, the Saudi's were fighting an indigenous terror campaign of their own. While the major bombings and massacres broke onto CNN, BBC, etc, on the whole this conflict wasn't covered by the Western media. Not only do the authors comprehensively detail this conflict - that while never seriously threatening to overthrow the Saudi state, certainly posed a serious threat to it - as mentioned above, they do so almost entirely from an intimate Saudi perspective.
A further reason this book is set apart from others of its ilk is due to its access. Quite simply the Saudi state seems to have flung the doors open for the authors. They're granted access to MOI officers to interview, the Saudi royals give interviews, and they're granted access to seized video tapes and transcripts of interrogation of jihadists. The video tapes seized from jihadists in particular are instructive, providing an unparalleled glimpse into the jihadist mindset. Some of it is quite bizarre and reminiscent of the film Four Lions, with the jihadists a combination of sinister and bungling dad's army.
Finally, this book gives a more nuanced view of Saudi Arabia than the one-dimensional perspective we're used to in the West. Say Saudi Arabia to the average person and after "oil" and "sand", they're likely to think of oppression of women, public beheadings and amputations, and a fanatical nation of Wahabbi's supporting al Qaeda and Islamic fundamentalist terror more broadly. This book shows this to be a simplistic picture. Instead, we're shown a nation struggling with modernisation, who's people on the whole don't support terrorism, who are dismayed by the killing of foreigners on their soil. We're shown the real strides the Saudi state has made to both combat terrorism at home and abroad and to stop the financing of terror.
The Saudi security forces clearly don't have the skill set of British/American militaries - for example when raiding compounds they announce their presence though loudhailers demanding the terrorists surrender, thus eschewing any factor of surprise. The raids thus inevitably result in large numbers of casualties and jihadists shooting their way through cordons and making their escape. But the officers concerned are undoubtedly brave and I was struck by the casualties they took. Some of the firefights described are like something out of the wild west, with jihadists battling away with the security forces for hours.
All in all this is a brilliant read. It gives an understanding of the campaign of terror the Saudi state faced down, the mindset of the jihadis themselves, the readiness and flaws of the Saudi security forces, and perhaps most importantly a more nuanced and sympathetic view of Saudi society than we are used to.
September 29, 2016
"No fim dos tempos, aparecerão jovens com sonhos loucos. Falarão de bondade mas, como uma seta que falha o alvo, desviar-se-ão do Islão. A sua fé não irá mais longe que as suas gargantas"
March 7, 2025
رائع أتمنى أن يترجم للعربية دون أي تعديلات أو حذف.
كتاب استقصائي عن الإرهاب الذي عانت منه السعودية من عام ٢٠٠٣-٢٠٠٧ .حين قرر أسامة بن لادن بعد اجتياح أمريكا لأفغانستان خلق وطن بديل للقاعدة في السعودية . عن تضحيات الأمن السعودي و شهدائه الأبطال الذين تعاملوا مع الإرهابيين المدربين في أفغانستان و البوسنة و الصومال وعن دور قناة الجزيرة التي كانت أحد بثوثها لخطابات إبن لادن هي إشارة البدء للعمليات الإرهابية.
كتاب استقصائي عن الإرهاب الذي عانت منه السعودية من عام ٢٠٠٣-٢٠٠٧ .حين قرر أسامة بن لادن بعد اجتياح أمريكا لأفغانستان خلق وطن بديل للقاعدة في السعودية . عن تضحيات الأمن السعودي و شهدائه الأبطال الذين تعاملوا مع الإرهابيين المدربين في أفغانستان و البوسنة و الصومال وعن دور قناة الجزيرة التي كانت أحد بثوثها لخطابات إبن لادن هي إشارة البدء للعمليات الإرهابية.
December 29, 2024
Path of Blood, a gripping book by Thomas Small and Jonathan Hacker, offers an unflinching look at Saudi Arabia’s tumultuous journey in confronting homegrown terrorism. By weaving together harrowing footage and firsthand accounts, the authors not only expose the brutal tactics of Al-Qaeda’s insurgency within the Kingdom but also shed light on the duplicity and ideological underpinnings that initially allowed extremism to fester within Saudi society.
The Early Years: Denial and Duplicity: Saudi Arabia’s ruling elite, for decades, played a double game, simultaneously projecting itself as a bastion of stability while covertly funding extremist ideologies that promoted Wahhabism—a rigid and intolerant interpretation of Islam. These efforts, often justified as a means to counterbalance secular or Shia-dominated regional powers, sowed the seeds for a virulent strain of jihadism. For years, Saudi elites funneled money to extremist groups under the guise of charity, fostering a global network of radicalized ideologues.
Despite growing evidence of domestic radicalization, the Saudi government largely denied the existence of a homegrown terror problem. Official narratives sought to externalize blame, frequently framing terrorist activity as the work of foreign powers. In particular, Saudi authorities leaned heavily on ingrained societal antisemitism, propagating the myth that the terror offensive was a Zionist conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the Kingdom. This rhetoric, while convenient, obscured the reality of Saudi Arabia’s deep complicity in nurturing an extremist ecosystem that would eventually turn its sights inward.
Confronting the Threat: A Turning Point: The early 2000s marked a grim escalation, with Al-Qaeda launching a series of devastating attacks targeting foreign nationals, critical infrastructure, and symbols of Saudi state authority. The 2003 Riyadh compound bombings were a watershed moment, shattering the illusion that terrorism was merely an external problem. Faced with mounting casualties and international scrutiny, the Saudi government could no longer ignore the enemy within.
What followed was a paradigm shift in Saudi counterterrorism strategy. The government began to acknowledge the extent of its jihadist problem, albeit reluctantly, and initiated a crackdown on Al-Qaeda’s network within the Kingdom. Central to this effort was the unprecedented cooperation with Western intelligence agencies, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom. By sharing intelligence, conducting joint operations, and leveraging advanced surveillance technologies, Saudi authorities gradually dismantled terror cells operating within its borders.
The Role of Ideology and Reform: While military and intelligence efforts were critical in curbing the immediate threat, the Saudi government also recognized the need to address the ideological roots of extremism. The Kingdom’s religious establishment, long a powerful ally of the monarchy, was pressed into service to delegitimize jihadist narratives. Clerics were tasked with issuing fatwas condemning terrorism and advocating for a more moderate interpretation of Islam. Simultaneously, the government launched de-radicalization programs aimed at rehabilitating captured extremists through theological re-education and reintegration initiatives.
However, this ideological pivot was fraught with challenges. Many clerics resisted changes that threatened to undermine their authority, while some segments of society viewed the reforms as capitulating to Western pressure. Despite these obstacles, Saudi Arabia’s efforts to recalibrate its religious discourse marked a critical step in stemming the tide of radicalization.
A Legacy of Complicity and Change: Path of Blood does not shy away from highlighting the Saudi state’s earlier role in fostering the very extremism it later fought to suppress. This legacy of complicity underscores the complexities of Saudi Arabia’s battle against terrorism. By funding and exporting an austere interpretation of Islam, the Kingdom inadvertently laid the groundwork for jihadist networks that would eventually target its own citizens and institutions.
Over time, however, the Saudi leadership’s recognition of this self-inflicted wound spurred a concerted effort to root out extremism. Cooperation with Western allies, coupled with domestic reforms, helped the Kingdom break the back of Al-Qaeda’s network. Yet, as Path of Blood vividly illustrates, this victory came at a steep cost: lives lost, trust eroded, and the Kingdom’s global reputation tarnished.
Thomas Small and Jonathan Hacker’s Path of Blood is both a cautionary tale and a testament to the resilience of a nation confronting its demons. It exposes the perils of ideological complacency and the high stakes of counterterrorism in an interconnected world. For Saudi Arabia, the fight against terrorism has been as much about defeating a physical enemy as it has been about reconciling with its own ideological contradictions. Subsequently both Britain and Germany have ignored Saudi intelligence warnings and suffered mass victim terror attacks. The lessons of this journey resonate far beyond the Kingdom, offering critical insights into the global struggle against extremism.
The Early Years: Denial and Duplicity: Saudi Arabia’s ruling elite, for decades, played a double game, simultaneously projecting itself as a bastion of stability while covertly funding extremist ideologies that promoted Wahhabism—a rigid and intolerant interpretation of Islam. These efforts, often justified as a means to counterbalance secular or Shia-dominated regional powers, sowed the seeds for a virulent strain of jihadism. For years, Saudi elites funneled money to extremist groups under the guise of charity, fostering a global network of radicalized ideologues.
Despite growing evidence of domestic radicalization, the Saudi government largely denied the existence of a homegrown terror problem. Official narratives sought to externalize blame, frequently framing terrorist activity as the work of foreign powers. In particular, Saudi authorities leaned heavily on ingrained societal antisemitism, propagating the myth that the terror offensive was a Zionist conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the Kingdom. This rhetoric, while convenient, obscured the reality of Saudi Arabia’s deep complicity in nurturing an extremist ecosystem that would eventually turn its sights inward.
Confronting the Threat: A Turning Point: The early 2000s marked a grim escalation, with Al-Qaeda launching a series of devastating attacks targeting foreign nationals, critical infrastructure, and symbols of Saudi state authority. The 2003 Riyadh compound bombings were a watershed moment, shattering the illusion that terrorism was merely an external problem. Faced with mounting casualties and international scrutiny, the Saudi government could no longer ignore the enemy within.
What followed was a paradigm shift in Saudi counterterrorism strategy. The government began to acknowledge the extent of its jihadist problem, albeit reluctantly, and initiated a crackdown on Al-Qaeda’s network within the Kingdom. Central to this effort was the unprecedented cooperation with Western intelligence agencies, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom. By sharing intelligence, conducting joint operations, and leveraging advanced surveillance technologies, Saudi authorities gradually dismantled terror cells operating within its borders.
The Role of Ideology and Reform: While military and intelligence efforts were critical in curbing the immediate threat, the Saudi government also recognized the need to address the ideological roots of extremism. The Kingdom’s religious establishment, long a powerful ally of the monarchy, was pressed into service to delegitimize jihadist narratives. Clerics were tasked with issuing fatwas condemning terrorism and advocating for a more moderate interpretation of Islam. Simultaneously, the government launched de-radicalization programs aimed at rehabilitating captured extremists through theological re-education and reintegration initiatives.
However, this ideological pivot was fraught with challenges. Many clerics resisted changes that threatened to undermine their authority, while some segments of society viewed the reforms as capitulating to Western pressure. Despite these obstacles, Saudi Arabia’s efforts to recalibrate its religious discourse marked a critical step in stemming the tide of radicalization.
A Legacy of Complicity and Change: Path of Blood does not shy away from highlighting the Saudi state’s earlier role in fostering the very extremism it later fought to suppress. This legacy of complicity underscores the complexities of Saudi Arabia’s battle against terrorism. By funding and exporting an austere interpretation of Islam, the Kingdom inadvertently laid the groundwork for jihadist networks that would eventually target its own citizens and institutions.
Over time, however, the Saudi leadership’s recognition of this self-inflicted wound spurred a concerted effort to root out extremism. Cooperation with Western allies, coupled with domestic reforms, helped the Kingdom break the back of Al-Qaeda’s network. Yet, as Path of Blood vividly illustrates, this victory came at a steep cost: lives lost, trust eroded, and the Kingdom’s global reputation tarnished.
Thomas Small and Jonathan Hacker’s Path of Blood is both a cautionary tale and a testament to the resilience of a nation confronting its demons. It exposes the perils of ideological complacency and the high stakes of counterterrorism in an interconnected world. For Saudi Arabia, the fight against terrorism has been as much about defeating a physical enemy as it has been about reconciling with its own ideological contradictions. Subsequently both Britain and Germany have ignored Saudi intelligence warnings and suffered mass victim terror attacks. The lessons of this journey resonate far beyond the Kingdom, offering critical insights into the global struggle against extremism.
May 16, 2017
A fascinating read although maybe a little bit too sympathetic for Saudia Arabia.
I had no idea so much had occurred inside of Saudia Arabi itself. Yet another fascinating look at the face of the enemy of the United States from a different perspective, inside of one of their own native countries.
I had no idea so much had occurred inside of Saudia Arabi itself. Yet another fascinating look at the face of the enemy of the United States from a different perspective, inside of one of their own native countries.
September 26, 2020
A well documented account of Al Qaeda through the perspective of Saudi Arabia. Although factual, it reads like a novel.
September 9, 2024
الله يرحم شهدائنا ويلعن من غرر بالشباب
August 15, 2016
An interesting and informed insight into Al Qaeda's attempt to destabilize Saudi Arabia and foment a popular uprising - and why it failed. Given the current chaos overwhelming Iraq and Syria, the book feels a little like a footnote to history, but it makes a good fist at balanced reporting and the perspectives of the various protagonists.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews