According to Richard Clarke, the former White House counterterrorism chief, Bush was so obsessed with Iraq that he failed to take action against Osama Bin Laden despite repeated warnings from his intelligence experts.

The quote by Ferdinand Mount references the analysis provided by Richard Clarke, the former White House counterterrorism chief. Clarke argues that President Bush was so fixated on the potential threat from Iraq that he neglected the more pressing issue of Osama Bin Laden and al-Qaeda. The quote highlights a critique of Bush's foreign policy during a crucial time in the buildup to the 9/11 attacks.

Clarke points out that there were repeated warnings from intelligence experts about the threat posed by Bin Laden and his terrorist network. However, according to Clarke, these warnings were either ignored or downplayed, as the focus was diverted towards Iraq's potential involvement in terrorism, particularly the idea of Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction.

The origin of the quote comes from a broader critique of the Bush administration's handling of national security in the years leading up to 9/11. Clarke’s testimony and Mount’s reference point to a perceived failure to prioritize the most immediate threat, with dangerous consequences. The quote underscores the misallocation of attention and resources during a critical period of international security.

This critique suggests that the obsession with Iraq may have led to a missed opportunity in addressing the real and present danger posed by Bin Laden, whose network was already actively planning attacks against the United States. The failure to act decisively in these early years is seen as a key factor contributing to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.