Into the Fire

(Reprinted from July 12th, 2010)

Vince Flynn’s Protect and Defend could’ve been written today, but it was published in 2007 which means he probably wrote it sometime in 2006, possibly 2005. And that’s the way it is with Vince’s novels. They’re poignant, impeccably researched with sources probably too deep to expose, and they gut-punch the lies handed down by this administration in particular. His stories reveal the real war on terror and those who are determined to protect and defend this country even if it costs them their lives—the unsung and hopefully hidden heroes who aren’t afraid to call the radical Islamists what they truly are.

The small and shrill political leader of Iran struts like a peacock with shouts and threats to the United States and Israel after the collapse of Iran’s multi-billion dollar nuclear facility built to withstand “any” bomb the USA could hurl at it. It’s quickly discovered by the CIA that the structure was in fact not bombed but collapsed inward on itself which meant there had to be charges planted from within the facility. Iran’s president accuses both Israel and the United States of “bombing” it even though the leaders all suspect the facility had been infiltrated.

The United States is as surprised as the Iranians at its collapse, and although it creates a thunderstorm in the international political arena, they’re grateful the Israelis figured out a way to pull it off. However, getting Israel to admit it was them is another thing entirely. So, enter Mitch Rapp with a bullet-proof way to take the heat off both countries and quell the firestorm of rhetoric exploding from the diminutive Iranian president’s mouth.

When a meeting is arranged between the pragmatic and reasonable Iranian Minister of Intelligence and CIA Director Irene Kennedy in Mosul, Iraq, Mitch and the local operatives remain close but concealed with an arsenal in case something goes wrong. As Mitch watches the groupings of men and weaponry outside the meeting, he gets a bad feeling and calls the gathering to a halt in a manner which Irene thinks is much too abrupt. She learns later she should always trust her best operative. Everything that can go wrong does go wrong unbeknownst to the Minister of Intelligence who is forced to travel with the military head of Hezbollah who has collaborated with the loud-mouthed Iranian president to kidnap Director Kennedy.

Rapp manages to capture three men to interrogate in order to rescue Irene since he knows she will be treated brutally right from the start. Marcus Dumond is in full operation mode dissecting any and all information on the computers while Rapp uses techniques to extract information which make even the other operatives shudder. These parts are definitely not for the faint-hearted readers. Rapp’s threats to remove the manhood appendages of the prisoners eventually gets them talking, but it isn’t until a mistake made by the Hezbollah head honcho alerts Mitch’s associate to a particular clue to Irene’s location coupled with a surprise call from Rapp to the minister of intelligence and the formation of a secret alliance.

Some of the best parts of Vince’s novels comes in the dialogue between Mitch and the gutless politically correct members of Congress, Cabinet, or even in the CIA. Especially where Irene’s concerned, Mitch has no patience for the spineless cowards who fear upsetting or offending other members of Congress or the press, other political figures in foreign governments, and even their own little safe comfort zones where they never have to get their hands dirty but enjoy the liberties provided by those who do.

Again, there is some bad language and definitely some gritty violence, but it’s refreshing to read stories where sane and rapid fire judgment catches up to those whose love language is hatred.

Father, once again I pray for those who serve this country in covert ways, who are dedicated to protecting and defending, who put the safety of citizens above themselves. God, they’re warriors like David was and often war drives them to do ugly things to keep others safe. Please, God, lead them to your Son. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.