Robert Baer

Robert Baer is a former CIA case officer who served in various Middle Eastern countries from 1976 to 1997, becoming one of the agency's top field operatives focused on terrorism and intelligence gathering. After leaving the CIA, he established himself as an author and intelligence expert, writing several bestselling books about his experiences and insights into Middle Eastern politics and terrorism. His most notable work "See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Soldier in the CIA's War on Terrorism" (2002) detailed his time in the CIA and offered critical perspectives on U.S. intelligence operations. The book was later adapted into the film "Syriana" starring George Clooney, who portrayed a character based on Baer. Baer has written extensively about Iran, Saudi Arabia, and terrorism, publishing books including "Sleeping with the Devil: How Washington Sold Our Soul for Saudi Crude" and "The Devil We Know: Dealing with the New Iranian Superpower." His work regularly appears in major publications, and he frequently contributes analysis to news networks as an intelligence and security expert. His combination of field experience and analytical expertise has made him a significant voice in discussions about intelligence operations, counterterrorism, and Middle Eastern geopolitics. Baer's writings often challenge conventional wisdom about U.S. foreign policy and intelligence gathering methods.

Readers value Baer's firsthand CIA experience and direct knowledge of Middle Eastern geopolitics. His straightforward writing style and insider revelations draw consistent praise. What readers liked: - Raw details about CIA operations and tradecraft - Clear explanations of complex Middle Eastern politics - Unvarnished criticism of U.S. intelligence failures - Personal anecdotes from his field operations What readers disliked: - Sometimes disorganized narrative structure - Occasional repetition between books - Some readers found his tone bitter or cynical - Later books seen as less compelling than early works Ratings across platforms: - "See No Evil" averages 4.2/5 on Goodreads (11,000+ ratings) - "Sleeping with the Devil" - 4.0/5 on Amazon (300+ reviews) - "The Devil We Know" - 3.9/5 on Goodreads (800+ ratings) One reviewer noted: "Baer writes with the authority of someone who's actually been there, not just theorized from behind a desk." Another commented: "His anger at bureaucratic incompetence comes through on every page - sometimes to a fault."

See No Evil A firsthand account of CIA operations in the Middle East from 1976-1997, detailing intelligence gathering failures and bureaucratic obstacles that hampered counterterrorism efforts.

Sleeping with the Devil An examination of the complex and problematic relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, focusing on oil politics and national security implications.

The Devil We Know An analysis of Iran's growing influence in the Middle East and its implications for U.S. foreign policy and regional stability.

The Company We Keep A memoir co-written with his wife Dayna Baer about their experiences in the CIA and their eventual romance while working as operatives.

The Fourth Man A detailed investigation of suspected Russian spy Robert Hanssen and the damage he caused to American intelligence operations.

Blow the House Down A novel drawing from Baer's CIA experience to construct a fictional account of events surrounding the September 11 attacks.

The Perfect Kill: 21 Laws for Assassins An examination of political assassination through history, drawing on Baer's experience investigating killings during his CIA career.

John le Carré served as a British intelligence officer before becoming an author, writing spy novels that capture the authentic tradecraft and moral ambiguity of intelligence work. His books like "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" draw from real experiences in espionage, similar to Baer's insider perspective.

Steve Coll specializes in investigative journalism focused on intelligence agencies, terrorism, and Middle Eastern politics. His books "Ghost Wars" and "Directorate S" provide deep analysis of CIA operations and geopolitical complexities in ways that complement Baer's work.

Lawrence Wright focuses on terrorism, Middle Eastern politics, and intelligence through detailed investigative reporting. His book "The Looming Tower" examines the rise of Al-Qaeda and intelligence failures with the same level of insider knowledge that characterizes Baer's writing.

David Ignatius combines experience as a foreign correspondent with deep sources in the intelligence community to write both journalism and novels about espionage. His work focuses on similar themes to Baer's: Middle Eastern politics, intelligence operations, and international terrorism.

Mark Mazzetti reports on intelligence, military affairs, and counterterrorism operations as a national security correspondent. His book "The Way of the Knife" examines CIA operations and drone warfare with the same attention to operational details found in Baer's work.