A Nation Forsaken

The United States is more vulnerable than ever to an EMP attack that could shut down the country overnight, resulting in tens of millions of deaths and a 19th-century lifestyle for Americans for the foreseeable future, says a new book, "A Nation Forsaken," written by a long-time national security expert. Even worse, the threat doesn't just come from terrorists, but from unpreventable solar activity - and a new peak period is on the way, threatening the economic and national security of the entire country, writes F. Michael Maloof. Although presidential candidates such as Newt Gingrich and congressmen such as Roscoe Bartlett have warned for years about the danger posed by an EMP, the government is ignoring simple, inexpensive steps that could safeguard critical infrastructure from an attack.

Incredibly, even while the idea of an EMP has entered the public consciousness through pop culture events like NBC's new show "Revolution," the federal government is ignoring its own reports and not taking it seriously. The reality of a potentially devastating electromagnetic pulse event is brought home by Maloof in "A Nation Forsaken." He reveals the nature of the EMP threat, describing how a nuclear detonation in low orbit creates an electromagnetic pulse that can disable all electronics throughout the entire country.  The result would be a complete breakdown of the delivery and distribution of food, medicine and other essential supplies.  The author also describes the plausibility of such an attack, noting that several nations already have the means and motivation to use such weapons.  Even more terrifying, Maloof describes how a "natural" EMP caused by solar flares is becoming ever more likely - with increased likelihood in the first quarter of 2013. Maloof exposes the self-interested actions of the energy industry in preventing simple reforms that could potentially save millions of lives. Most importantly, Maloof provides a practical guide for how individuals and families can prepare for the day when the lights go out for good.

Michael Maloof of Washington, DC

F. Michael Maloof, a former senior security policy analyst in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, has almost 30 years of federal service in the U.S. Defense Department and as a specialized trainer for border guards and Special Forces in select countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia. While with the Department of Defense, Maloof was Director of Technology Security Operations as head of a 10-person team involved in halting the diversion of militarily-critical technologies to countries of national security and proliferation concern and those involved in sponsoring terrorism. His office was the liaison to the intelligence and enforcement community within the Office of the Secretary of Defense in halting diversions and using cases that developed from them as early warnings to decision-makers of potential policy issues. Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States, Maloof was detailed back to report directly to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy to prepare analysis of worldwide terrorist networks, determine their linkages worldwide and their relationship to state sponsors. Prior to his career at the Defense Department, Maloof was a legislative assistant to various U.S. Senators specializing in national security and international affairs. In between working at the U.S. Senate and the Defense Department, Maloof was a special Washington correspondent for The Detroit News, a reporter for a specialized newsletter at U.S. News & World Report and Washington correspondent for The Union Leader in Manchester, NH. Maloof makes his home in Reston, Va., with his family, including their 135-lb red Doberman.