Race Against Terror: Chasing an Al Qaeda Killer at the Dawn of the Forever War

Two assistant US attorneys race to lock up a dangerous al Qaeda terrorist before he’s set free in one of the most riveting true crime stories of the 21st century—from #1 New York Times bestselling author and CNN anchor Jake Tapper.

June 2011: a man fleeing the Arab Spring on a refugee boat surrenders himself to Italian authorities. He claims that, as a terrorist, he is responsible for the deaths of American soldiers. This unexpected surrender sets off an unlikely chain of events and one of the most significant, but little-known, cases in American history. When federal prosecutors Dave Bitkower and Shreve Ariail get the call from the FBI that the Italians have known terrorist Spin Ghul in custody, they immediately recognize the stakes of the situation. Determined to deliver justice for the soldiers killed in combat, they must traverse the globe, uncovering facts and evidence from thousands of miles away on a remote battlefield in Afghanistan. Through intense reporting and meticulous recreation, from the battlefield to the courthouse, Race Against Terror tells the story of a man radicalized to enact violence, of the courageous soldiers who risked their lives for each other, and the diverse set of law enforcement, intelligence, and military personnel who work tirelessly to stay one step ahead of disaster. In doing so, Jake Tapper uncovers a gripping narrative history that reveals the true costs of the War on Terror and delivers a salient warning for the increasing threats we face to this day.

© 2025 Simon & Schuster Audio (Audiobook): 9781668121160

Release date

Audiobook: 7 October 2025