Scott Ritter

Scott Ritter is a former United States Marine Corps intelligence officer and United Nations weapons inspector who gained prominence for his outspoken views on U.S. foreign policy and military interventions. He served as a UN weapons inspector in Iraq from 1991 to 1998, playing a significant role in verifying Iraq's compliance with disarmament requirements. After his work with the UN, Ritter became a vocal critic of U.S. policy toward Iraq, particularly challenging the Bush administration's claims about weapons of mass destruction prior to the 2003 invasion. His 2002 book "Iraq Confidential: The Untold Story of the Intelligence Conspiracy to Undermine the UN and Overthrow Saddam Hussein" detailed his experiences and perspectives on the weapons inspection process. Ritter has authored several books on international relations, military strategy, and arms control, including "Target Iran" and "Dealbreaker: Donald Trump and the Unmaking of the Iran Nuclear Deal." He regularly contributes analysis and commentary on military affairs and international security issues to various media outlets. In recent years, Ritter has written extensively about the Russia-Ukraine conflict and other contemporary military situations, often presenting viewpoints that challenge mainstream Western narratives. His background in military intelligence and weapons inspection continues to inform his analysis of global security issues.

Readers describe Ritter's work as detailed and based on first-hand experience, particularly regarding Iraq weapons inspections. Reviews note his insider perspective from military intelligence and UN inspection roles. What readers liked: - Technical accuracy and operational details - Clear explanation of complex weapons inspection processes - Direct writing style backed by personal experience - Comprehensive documentation and sourcing What readers disliked: - Some find his positions too contrarian or anti-establishment - Writing can be dense with military/technical jargon - Recent works seen as increasingly partisan - Some question his objectivity on Russia-Ukraine analysis Ratings across platforms: Amazon: "Iraq Confidential" 4.3/5 (127 reviews) "Target Iran" 4.1/5 (89 reviews) Goodreads: "Iraq Confidential" 4.0/5 (211 ratings) "Dealbreaker" 3.7/5 (43 ratings) Notable reader comment: "Provides crucial context missing from mainstream coverage, though requires patience with technical details" - Amazon reviewer

Target Iraq: What the News Media Didn't Tell You (2003) Examines the claims made about Iraq's weapons programs leading up to the 2003 invasion.

Iraq Confidential: The Untold Story of the Intelligence Conspiracy to Undermine the UN and Overthrow Saddam Hussein (2005) Details Ritter's experiences as a UN weapons inspector in Iraq from 1991 to 1998.

Waging Peace: The Art of War for the Antiwar Movement (2007) Analyzes antiwar movement strategies using military principles and planning concepts.

Dangerous Ground: America's Failed Arms Control Policy from FDR to Obama (2010) Chronicles U.S. arms control policies across multiple presidential administrations.

Dealbreaker: Donald Trump and the Unmaking of the Iran Nuclear Deal (2018) Examines the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA agreement with Iran and its implications.

Scorpion King: America's Suicidal Embrace of Nuclear Weapons from FDR to Trump (2020) Traces the history of U.S. nuclear weapons policy from World War II through modern times.

Seymour Hersh Reports on military operations, intelligence activities, and government misconduct through investigative journalism. His work focuses on exposing hidden aspects of U.S. foreign policy and military interventions.

Ray McGovern Provides analysis of intelligence matters and military conflicts based on his CIA background. His writing centers on U.S. intelligence operations and foreign policy decisions.

William Blum Documents the history of U.S. foreign interventions and CIA operations worldwide. His research examines the impact of American military actions on other nations.

Andrew Bacevich Analyzes U.S. military policy and foreign interventions from his perspective as a former Army officer. His work critiques American military strategy and the concept of American exceptionalism.

Philip Giraldi Writes about intelligence operations and national security policy drawing from his CIA experience. His analysis focuses on Middle East policy and the relationships between intelligence agencies and foreign policy.