BOOK REVIEW: Rules of Engagement: A Novel
By David Bruns and J.R. Olson
Reviewed by Robert Richer, Former Associate Deputy Director for Operations, CIA
Editor’s note: Last week, The Cipher Brief published a review written by CIA veteran Rob Richer of Dan Silva’s novel “The New Girl.” Richer praised the novel because of its dead accurate portrayal of real-life events in the Middle East. Richer returns this week with a review of a new novel that falls short on the plausibility scale.
Richer retired from the CIA in November 2005. Prior to his assignment as the ADDO in 2004, Richer was the Chief of the Near East and South Asia Division, responsible for Clandestine Service Operations throughout the Middle East and South Asia.
Rules of Engagement: A Novel came to me by way of recommendations from the Naval Academy Alumni network in Annapolis, MD. I should point out that I am not a graduate of the Naval Academy but served as a Marine Officer and later senior officer of the Central Intelligence Agency. I do, however, enjoy a strong and regular connection to the Academy and have mentored and sponsored a large and diverse group of Midshipmen over the past years.
Rules of Engagement is based on a critical national security concern; cyber security and the impacts of cyberattacks against infrastructure. The story sets the scene for an attack that shuts down the power grid of the Eastern United States impacting nearly 40 million people and causing death, panic and mayhem.
The book then shifts to a cyber security seminar at the United States Naval Academy wherein a main character of the novel, Don Riley a guest lecturer and senior officer of United States Cyber Command, evaluates the East Coast Power Grid cyberattack and its implications. Within the narrative of the seminar, the authors introduce three participating Naval Academy Midshipmen, noting their unique cyber related skills and launching them as key figures in the book.
As the cyber theme and the involvement of the Midshipmen in cyber activities develops, another story line takes shape, that of a most-wanted international terrorist who is discovered living in North Korea and operating under the patronage of the North Korean leader.
As the narrative of the terrorist’s cyber plot develops, the reader is exposed to counterintelligence issues, the usual and ofttimes counterproductive politics within the United States security and intelligence entities and the capabilities and possible vulnerabilities of naval shipboard command and control. A CIA contract paramilitary element, Navy SEALS, the Naval Investigative Service (NIS), the FBI and other United States Government assets are woven throughout the story.
The novel moves toward its finish with an escalating situation between the United States Navy and the Chinese military.
The book spins a tale based on what is known today about Chinese and North Korean efforts and capabilities to conduct cyber warfare. The story is at its best when it tackles issues related to those offensive efforts drawing on the experiences of the novel’s co-authors, both Naval Academy graduates and both having served in the United States Navy.
The authors understand and convey the impact that cyberattacks could have on military command and control systems and, in the smoke of battle caused by the attacks, bringing China and the United States to the brink of war. The narrative is exceptional in conveying the gravity of such attacks and the potential for escalation.
But the book lost me by incorporating a major role in its final chapters for the three Academy midshipmen. Without giving away too much of the plot, suffice to say that they end up going on secret missions and engaging in combat operations that may be the stuff of a midshipman’s wildest daydreams but are far too contrived to be believed. The manufactured Middie warfighting took away from what had been up to that point, an exceptional read. What had been a real, possible, if not probable, cyber security scenario was turned it into an impossible fantasy.
Rules of Engagement earns a mild two out of four trench coats.
At the time of his retirement from the Central Intelligence Agency in 2005, Rob Richer, was the deputy chief of the Agency’s clandestine service. He spent most of CIA career in the Middle East. He has extensive knowledge of the region, its history and leaders and continues to frequent the region.
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