BENGHAZI | A Busboys and Poets Books Presentation

BENGHAZI! | A Busboys and Poets Books Presentation

Author Ethan Chorin was one of a handful of US diplomats posted to Libya in the wake of rapprochement with Colonel Gaddafi in 2004- 2006. Six years later, he was in Benghazi (planning to meet the next day with Ambassador Chris Stevens) when the U.S. mission came under attack—an event that still reverberates through American domestic politics and foreign policy in disturbing and unexpected ways in BENGHAZI!

Despite hundreds of hours of Congressional hearings, a deep dive into Hillary Clinton’s personal email, and the trial of two suspects (ultimately acquitted), there are many unanswered questions about what happened in Benghazi on September 11, 2012. This has something to do with American intelligence failures, Chorin argues, but even more so with political infighting and miscalculations on the part of both Democrats and Republicans.

To tell this story, 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 various senior Obama administration officials, including Hillary Clinton. Democrats and Republicans agree on little when it comes to Benghazi, but both sides are likely to find themselves feeling vindicated by some of Chorin’s revelations and conclusions, while strongly contesting others. There is plenty of blame to go around—but also plenty of opportunity if we are willing to finally learn the lessons of Benghazi, ten years on.

Ethan Chorin is joining the Busboys stage to discuss this new book release. He will be joined in conversation by Bradley F. Podliska. This event is free and open to all. Our program begins at 6:00 pm, and will be followed by an audience Q&A. Copies of BENGHAZI will be available for purchase before and during the event. Please note that this event will not be livestreamed.

We ask that guests RSVP in order to receive direct updates about the event from Busboys and Poets Books.

Ethan Chorin is a former diplomat, senior political analyst, and author. His work on Libya, the Middle East, and Iran has appeared in the New York Times, the Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Forbes, Newsweek, and many other outlets. He has been a regular commentator on Libya for the BBC, and has also appeared on CNBC, CNN, CBS, and C-SPAN.

Bradley F. Podliska is a former investigator for the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Benghazi. He has a Ph.D. in Political Science (International Relations major) from Texas A&M University, a M.A. in National Security Studies from Georgetown University, and a B.A. (with honors) in International Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is an Assistant Professor of Military and Security Studies with the Air Force and a retired U.S. Air Force Reserve intelligence officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Prior to working for the Benghazi Committee, he worked as an intelligence analyst for the Department of Defense. His publications include a book, Acting Alone: A Scientific Study on American Hegemony and Unilateral Use-of-Force Decision Making (Lexington Books), a book chapter on congressional oversight, and articles on national security and the military.

Host or Publisher Busboys and Poets