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Benghazi!: A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink
On the 10th anniversary of the attack in Benghazi, a startling reconsideration of one of the defining controversies of our era, from a noted Libya expert and eyewitness to the attack Ten years after an attack on the US diplomatic mission in Benghazi killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans, cries of Benghazi! still echo across America. But instead of a landmark event to be taken seriously, it has become a punchline, an empty word, or a code for controversy and political theatre. In this thrilling retelling, Ethan Chorin reveals Benghazi as a watershed moment in American history, one that helped create the world America lives in today: polarized, fearful, and dangerously unstable. Here, Benghazi is not a story contained in 13 hours, but a decades-long history beginning with the rise of Muammar Gaddafi, stretching through 9/11, the War on Terror, and the Arab Spring, and reaching into the present day, as the impact of the attack and ensuing controversy remain visible in America and around the world. Chorin draws on his own bone-chilling experience during the Benghazi attack, his expertise as a former diplomat and scholar of Libyan history, and new interviews with Libyan insiders, eyewitnesses, and key players like Hillary Clinton and Ben Rhodes. With this ambitious, engaging narrative, Chorin makes clear why Benghazi still matters so much ten years later--and why we can't afford to continue overlooking and misunderstanding it.
432 pages, Hardcover
Published September 6, 2022
9 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Ethan Chorin
8 books11 followersExpert in US foreign policy and Libya, ex US diplomat, author of four books, including "Translating Libya", "Exit the Colonel" and "Benghazi!: A New History." Former Fulbright fellow (Jordan) and Fulbright Hays Fellow (Yemen), contributor to the New York Times, Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Salon.com, Prospect, The National, Newsweek, BBC, Forbes.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 6, 2022
Very well written exploration of what happened in Benghazi from a former diplomat who was in the city the night the conflagration happened. It’s part memoir, part cultural history, part forensic accounting but I don’t know that it offers anything other books about Benghazi have shared.
January 5, 2023
Ethan Chorin is right: the tragic deaths of four Americans in Benghazi were the main act in a highly destructive outbreak of American partisan warfare, which left key questions unanswered, and pushed the country down a slippery slide of polarization and risk aversion abroad. It shouldn’t have been this way. In contrast to this political theater, Chorin offers a refreshing fact-based analysis with breadth, depth, and new information.
As a former investigator for the Benghazi Committee, I found Chorin’s Benghazi! a compelling read. The second half of the book is familiar territory to me, as I cover many of the same issues - including the Obama administration talking points, the US military response, and the formation of Libyan policy - in my forthcoming book on the Benghazi Committee, Fire Alarm (Lexington, 2023).
Chorin is in a unique place to tell the Benghazi story. A former US diplomat posted to Libya, and a friend of Chris Stevens, Chorin was invited to the mission for dinner the night of the attack, and scheduled to meet with the Ambassador the following morning to “put the US government imprimatur” on a US-Libyan medical partnership he and a colleague catalyzed over the previous year. Chorin and Stevens hoped to draw Washington’s drifting attention back to a city on the brink of chaos following the US-led intervention in Libya in 2011.
For Chorin, the seeds of the attack date back to the George W. Bush administration’s “extraordinary rendition” of leaders of the Al Qaeda-linked Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) back to Gaddafi in the early 2000s for interrogation and torture, and a subsequent degree of comfort with what some US officials saw as newly-reformed radicals. Chorin correctly points out that the Obama administration’s Benghazi talking points lit the fuse of a mega-scandal in which well-worn partisan dynamics took over. Anticipating Republican attacks just before the 2012 election, the Obama administration sidestepped the question of Al Qaeda involvement in Benghazi to focus instead on the regional reaction to an anti-Islamic video. Republicans then used the public doubt about the narrative to shift blame from Obama to former Secretary of State (and soon-to-be Democratic Presidential nominee) Hillary Clinton.
With respect to the military response, Chorin identifies the problem: “slow response times forced commanders on the ground [in Libya] to make gut-wrenching calls themselves, without guidance from Washington” (page 236). He concludes that Obama and Panetta failed, due to “a system that was unprepared—and in many ways incapable—of reacting quickly to a crisis…” (page 239). I’m not convinced and have a different thought: senior officials did not use the system, as established by doctrine. The joint planning process is precisely designed for a crisis such as Libya, and Panetta and the others in the Pentagon that night did not use it. For Libyan policy, Chorin poignantly identifies questions still left unanswered by four years of political investigations: Was the Obama administration arming Libyan rebels prior to the attacks? Why did the State Department rely on the February 17 Martyrs Brigade? Who were the attackers? Chorin reaches a sound conclusion on the long-term consequences to American diplomacy: Obama, who was always reluctant to get involved in Libya, put an end to expeditionary diplomacy after Benghazi. There would be no more risks under his watch, and Trump would take it a step further—choosing unilateralism and non-intervention as a matter of strategy.
Chorin’s thesis remains intact through the end of Benghazi! The Democrats avenged the politicalization of Benghazi, making the January 6th Committee “an adaptation of the Benghazi drama on American soil” (page 318). The Republicans, in turn, promised to investigate Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal as “Benghazi 2.0.”
With Benghazi!, Chorin accomplishes the rare feat – cutting through the well-entrenched narratives that surround the tragedy of a second 9/11 – to tell us why America’s place in the world cannot be defined through the lens of partisanship.
As a former investigator for the Benghazi Committee, I found Chorin’s Benghazi! a compelling read. The second half of the book is familiar territory to me, as I cover many of the same issues - including the Obama administration talking points, the US military response, and the formation of Libyan policy - in my forthcoming book on the Benghazi Committee, Fire Alarm (Lexington, 2023).
Chorin is in a unique place to tell the Benghazi story. A former US diplomat posted to Libya, and a friend of Chris Stevens, Chorin was invited to the mission for dinner the night of the attack, and scheduled to meet with the Ambassador the following morning to “put the US government imprimatur” on a US-Libyan medical partnership he and a colleague catalyzed over the previous year. Chorin and Stevens hoped to draw Washington’s drifting attention back to a city on the brink of chaos following the US-led intervention in Libya in 2011.
For Chorin, the seeds of the attack date back to the George W. Bush administration’s “extraordinary rendition” of leaders of the Al Qaeda-linked Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) back to Gaddafi in the early 2000s for interrogation and torture, and a subsequent degree of comfort with what some US officials saw as newly-reformed radicals. Chorin correctly points out that the Obama administration’s Benghazi talking points lit the fuse of a mega-scandal in which well-worn partisan dynamics took over. Anticipating Republican attacks just before the 2012 election, the Obama administration sidestepped the question of Al Qaeda involvement in Benghazi to focus instead on the regional reaction to an anti-Islamic video. Republicans then used the public doubt about the narrative to shift blame from Obama to former Secretary of State (and soon-to-be Democratic Presidential nominee) Hillary Clinton.
With respect to the military response, Chorin identifies the problem: “slow response times forced commanders on the ground [in Libya] to make gut-wrenching calls themselves, without guidance from Washington” (page 236). He concludes that Obama and Panetta failed, due to “a system that was unprepared—and in many ways incapable—of reacting quickly to a crisis…” (page 239). I’m not convinced and have a different thought: senior officials did not use the system, as established by doctrine. The joint planning process is precisely designed for a crisis such as Libya, and Panetta and the others in the Pentagon that night did not use it. For Libyan policy, Chorin poignantly identifies questions still left unanswered by four years of political investigations: Was the Obama administration arming Libyan rebels prior to the attacks? Why did the State Department rely on the February 17 Martyrs Brigade? Who were the attackers? Chorin reaches a sound conclusion on the long-term consequences to American diplomacy: Obama, who was always reluctant to get involved in Libya, put an end to expeditionary diplomacy after Benghazi. There would be no more risks under his watch, and Trump would take it a step further—choosing unilateralism and non-intervention as a matter of strategy.
Chorin’s thesis remains intact through the end of Benghazi! The Democrats avenged the politicalization of Benghazi, making the January 6th Committee “an adaptation of the Benghazi drama on American soil” (page 318). The Republicans, in turn, promised to investigate Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal as “Benghazi 2.0.”
With Benghazi!, Chorin accomplishes the rare feat – cutting through the well-entrenched narratives that surround the tragedy of a second 9/11 – to tell us why America’s place in the world cannot be defined through the lens of partisanship.
April 10, 2023
This book has some interesting insight, but he seemed to work a little overtime promoting the greatness of Hilary Clinton while slamming republicans. He didn’t seem to be overly impressed with Obama foreign policy decision making. So this was more of a Hilary fan book that a political screed.
He also shows the revolving nature of cashing in on government service. He worked at state a few years then swung to private sector using his government contacts for his own benefit. State clearly works for the benefit of turning worlds nations into servants of big business in their efforts at massive globalization. Not sure that was the intent of the founding fathers but it’s the state of the US these days.
He also shows the revolving nature of cashing in on government service. He worked at state a few years then swung to private sector using his government contacts for his own benefit. State clearly works for the benefit of turning worlds nations into servants of big business in their efforts at massive globalization. Not sure that was the intent of the founding fathers but it’s the state of the US these days.
April 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Audiobook Review: Benghazi!: A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink by Ethan Chorin
If you think you already know the story of Benghazi, think again. In this deeply researched and thought-provoking book, Ethan Chorin—a former U.S. diplomat and eyewitness to the chaos surrounding the 2012 attack—offers a broader, more sobering look at the decades of U.S. policy, intervention, and missteps that laid the foundation for one of the most polarizing events in recent history.
Chorin’s personal proximity to the attack (he was in Benghazi at the time, and had plans to meet Ambassador Chris Stevens the next day) lends credibility and gravity to his insights. He approaches Libya with deep knowledge and passion, grounding this narrative in both geopolitical context and personal experience. I appreciated how he traced the roots of U.S.–Libyan relations all the way back to Gaddafi’s rise and explored the foreign policy decisions—Republican and Democrat alike—that shaped the conditions on the ground.
One standout aspect for me was Chorin’s effort to humanize Chris Stevens, highlighting his genuine commitment to Libya and the repeated calls he made for stronger security—efforts that were sadly ignored. The author is also candid about his frustrations with flawed NGO strategies and the dangers of relying on unstable militia groups for security.
Where the book lost me a bit was toward the end. The final quarter shifts into a more overtly political tone, where Chorin’s sympathies (particularly towards Hillary Clinton) become more evident. It undercut the otherwise even-handed analysis and introduced critiques of Trump that didn’t feel necessary or fully relevant. I also found the discussion about America's obligation to "save the world" a bit idealistic and the climate change commentary oddly placed.
While I would’ve liked more detailed coverage of the attack itself, this book excels at examining the complex build-up and long-term consequences. It's compelling, insightful, and a solid starting point for anyone looking to understand the full scope of Benghazi’s legacy. I'll definitely be picking up other perspectives to balance out the narrative—but I’m glad I started here.
If you think you already know the story of Benghazi, think again. In this deeply researched and thought-provoking book, Ethan Chorin—a former U.S. diplomat and eyewitness to the chaos surrounding the 2012 attack—offers a broader, more sobering look at the decades of U.S. policy, intervention, and missteps that laid the foundation for one of the most polarizing events in recent history.
Chorin’s personal proximity to the attack (he was in Benghazi at the time, and had plans to meet Ambassador Chris Stevens the next day) lends credibility and gravity to his insights. He approaches Libya with deep knowledge and passion, grounding this narrative in both geopolitical context and personal experience. I appreciated how he traced the roots of U.S.–Libyan relations all the way back to Gaddafi’s rise and explored the foreign policy decisions—Republican and Democrat alike—that shaped the conditions on the ground.
One standout aspect for me was Chorin’s effort to humanize Chris Stevens, highlighting his genuine commitment to Libya and the repeated calls he made for stronger security—efforts that were sadly ignored. The author is also candid about his frustrations with flawed NGO strategies and the dangers of relying on unstable militia groups for security.
Where the book lost me a bit was toward the end. The final quarter shifts into a more overtly political tone, where Chorin’s sympathies (particularly towards Hillary Clinton) become more evident. It undercut the otherwise even-handed analysis and introduced critiques of Trump that didn’t feel necessary or fully relevant. I also found the discussion about America's obligation to "save the world" a bit idealistic and the climate change commentary oddly placed.
While I would’ve liked more detailed coverage of the attack itself, this book excels at examining the complex build-up and long-term consequences. It's compelling, insightful, and a solid starting point for anyone looking to understand the full scope of Benghazi’s legacy. I'll definitely be picking up other perspectives to balance out the narrative—but I’m glad I started here.
December 14, 2022
For once, something about Benghazi that is not full of outrage and hyperbole. Ethan Chorin presents the history of the area, the specific history of Benghazi, the reasons to be there, and the shifting sands of politics and policy leading up to the attack on the U.S. Mission in 2012. He details what happened during the attack, what came after, and where we are now. Reading nonfiction is like taking medicine to me, but Chorin's first-hand account and informed historical summaries made me look forward to reading the next chapter. Ultimately, the story of Benghazi and America's involvement in the Middle East and North Africa is really sad because it highlights what happens when short-term political priorities and domestic U.S. political issues take precedence over long-term policy for every country we've become involved with for decades. Chorin makes it clear that by becoming risk-averse in dangerous environments, the U.S. has lost its ability to know and understand the situation in these countries. Everything is changing - the players on the ground, involvement (meddling) of other countries, the impact of social media and technology, etc. But it sounds like without solid intelligence, the U.S. does not have the ability to be effective - and using an obsolete playbook makes things worse. Throughout the book, Chorin makes the case for updated approaches and policies, but in our current political environment, I don't see anyone picking up the advice and creating a better world.
December 10, 2022
Full review coming soon
June 2, 2022
Ethan Chorin was present in Benghazi when the US compind was attacked and four American citizens, including Amb Chris Stevens, were killed. A prior member of the US State Department, and a fluent Arabic speaker, he was in Benghazi to help support the Benghazi Medical Center. He is also very familiar with Libyan history and culture.
As the tenth anniversary of the attack is coming up, Mr. Chorin has written a book about the origins of what happened on 9/11/12. He skillfully presents a brief history of Libya from the time the king was overthrown by Gaddafi in the 1950s up until the attack, and lays the groundwork to explain what happened. He then dissects the aftermath - the multiple hearings, the partisanship that tore the country apart, its effect on the 2016 election, and most importantly, it’s chilling effect on American foreign policy. While for the most part neutral, assigning blame to the Obama administration’s failures, and criticizing the multiple hearings that followed, he does take a somewhat anti-Republican tone in parts of the book.
Aside from the author’s understated politics, Benghazi is an excellent history, and personal account, of the event that still resonate in American politics.
My thanks to Havhette Books and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book.
As the tenth anniversary of the attack is coming up, Mr. Chorin has written a book about the origins of what happened on 9/11/12. He skillfully presents a brief history of Libya from the time the king was overthrown by Gaddafi in the 1950s up until the attack, and lays the groundwork to explain what happened. He then dissects the aftermath - the multiple hearings, the partisanship that tore the country apart, its effect on the 2016 election, and most importantly, it’s chilling effect on American foreign policy. While for the most part neutral, assigning blame to the Obama administration’s failures, and criticizing the multiple hearings that followed, he does take a somewhat anti-Republican tone in parts of the book.
Aside from the author’s understated politics, Benghazi is an excellent history, and personal account, of the event that still resonate in American politics.
My thanks to Havhette Books and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book.
September 13, 2022
One part memoir, two parts history, Benghazi! is a factual and fair, but far from detached, insider's view of what really transpired, what America got terribly wrong, and what that means for future diplomacy.
Unlike other books on the subject, the author's motivations ring true. Openly admitting in the prologue his love for Libya and the people, he clearly states that what he is writing about is his experience, observations, and knowledge. Through personal stories, he gives you a peek into a country often shrouded in mystery and intrigue. There isn't an ounce of self-aggrandizement or political motivation, just a desire to share his knowledge.
Without revealing any spoilers... even the most learned person on middle east history, policy, and/or diplomacy will read a few new and naked truths.
Takeaway: Reads like a novel; punches you in the gut like an exposé.
Unlike other books on the subject, the author's motivations ring true. Openly admitting in the prologue his love for Libya and the people, he clearly states that what he is writing about is his experience, observations, and knowledge. Through personal stories, he gives you a peek into a country often shrouded in mystery and intrigue. There isn't an ounce of self-aggrandizement or political motivation, just a desire to share his knowledge.
Without revealing any spoilers... even the most learned person on middle east history, policy, and/or diplomacy will read a few new and naked truths.
Takeaway: Reads like a novel; punches you in the gut like an exposé.
February 23, 2023
The author initially wrote an interesting account of the history of Libya, and the causes if the attack on the US Consulate. Sadly, the account of its effect on the United States's domestic politics was way to drawn out. It also appeared very biased against the Republican party and in favor of the Democratic party. I wanted to read what was going on in Libya, and not what was going on in domestic politics.
July 9, 2025
A really interesting book, drawing on both deep research and the author’s personal experience in Benghazi. I think what I most appreciate about this one is that nobody comes away smelling like a rose, and any sort of partisan will probably get mad at its conclusions. We spend years gutting subject matter expertise in favor of Beltway spin and feel-good military strikes, and act shocked when it has consequences. At least that’s not relevant today, right…?
March 16, 2023
a great deal more memoir than i expected of this account — the writing is a little tedious and wonky, making it hard to see the bigger picture when so in the weeds of the author’s particular experiences.
May 21, 2025
It's been a very long time since I started a book because of the subject matter. I could not finish this book. I couldn't keep the characters straight or follow the complicated storyline. I'm disappointed that I could not finish.
March 6, 2024
Good book that keeps you up late reading it. So many stories in these pages and a huge cast of people.
August 31, 2024
Listened to the audiobook.
September 7, 2022
If you’re looking for a book to read this fall, look no further than "Benghazi, a new history of the fiasco that pushed America and its world to the brink”! I have read pre-copies of Ethan Chorin’s book and it’s definitely one of the most fascinating books I’ve ever read! I read the book in 2 days, I could just not put id down after I had started reading.
I didn’t think there was anything more to be said about Benghazi, but what a fascinating backstory, and afterstory - Ethan Chorin manages to explain the event, and the scandal in a way that makes some sense of the attack. His own personal connection to the city and the attack is amazingly told. You can’t read this book and look at today’s politics - or the city of Benghazi - in the same way.
I didn’t think there was anything more to be said about Benghazi, but what a fascinating backstory, and afterstory - Ethan Chorin manages to explain the event, and the scandal in a way that makes some sense of the attack. His own personal connection to the city and the attack is amazingly told. You can’t read this book and look at today’s politics - or the city of Benghazi - in the same way.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews