Primary Target

Weber weaves a frighteningly real story of international terrorism in America in his newest thriller. A ruthless group of Russian communists teams up with militant extremists in the Middle East to concoct a plan that will restore the former Soviet Union to its old prominence by removing U.S. presence in the Persian Gulf and creating an oil shortage. When U.S. President Cord Macklin refuses to leave the region--even after a series of military air and sea maneuvers involving a grand cast of Soviets, Muslims and Americans--he becomes an assassination target. Iranian terrorist Khaliq Farkas heads the effort, going after Macklin when he's aboard Air Force One and effectively declaring war in America's skies. After a deadly series of Farkas-orchestrated commercial air disasters--including two involving Air Force One--sends the country into a panic, Macklin emerges unscathed and stifles further attacks with round-the-clock bombings of Middle East and Soviet military targets and civilian infrastructure. Weber (Honorable Enemies) colors his novel with numerous subplots, well-developed characters and historical references to Operation Desert Storm and the Iranian hostage crisis. His knowledge of weapons, military aircraft and terrorist tactics is superior, and a surprise ending teases readers with the tempting possibility of a sequel. (Dec.)