Chapter 18 addresses the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama describes developing a strong working relationship with Gates, despite their party differences. Their priorities in the Middle East included bolstering Iraq’s civic institutions, encouraging compromise between the Shiite majority and minority groups, training Iraqi security forces, and rebuilding the country’s broken infrastructure. For Obama and Gates, American withdrawal from Iraq was in sight.

Afghanistan proved to be a thornier problem. Rising violence led to more civilian deaths. Suicide attacks and roadside bombs were regular occurrences. In addition, Afghans were growing weary of American tactics, notably, nighttime raids on homes suspected of harboring Taliban fighters. Corruption was also problematic. President Karzai won reelection by buying off local power brokers, intimidating his opponents, and pitting different factions against each other. Pakistan exacerbated problems in the area by continuing to provide safe havens for the Taliban and allowing al-Qaeda to operate along its border.

General Stanley McChrystal, the new commander of the International Security Assistance Force, recommended a full-blown counterinsurgency. The increase in troops, costs, and lack of a clear exit strategy worried Obama. In an effort to box Obama in, McChrystal promoted his strategy on 60 Minutes, while Petraeus echoed McChrystal’s views in a Washington Post interview.