Peter Theroux’s latest literary offering, ‘In Obscura: Adventures in the World of Intelligence,’ ventures into the details of his unusual existence that stretches from the bright lights of Los Angeles to the covert corners of Langley. Theroux, born into a highly influential literary lineage, shares his family legacy which includes renowned authors such as his brothers, Alexander and Paul. Amongst his relatives are noteworthy journalists, moviemakers, and the actor Justin Theroux. With a reputation as a sought-after journalist and linguist, Peter has carved out his own path in the literary world.
Peter’s dexterity in translating Arabic literature has been applauded and respected worldwide. He invested years serving as a journalist, penning pieces for esteemed publications such as National Geographic and the Wall Street Journal. His career brought him across the globe, with a significant emphasis on the Middle East, crafting narratives about Syria, Egypt, and other regional nations.
Peter has released two books: ‘Sandstorms,’ a chronicle of his Middle Eastern voyages, and the 1995’s ‘Translating Los Angeles,’ a more personal journey in his home city. Despite the success, he reached a stage in his mid-30s when he felt a yearning for change and began scouring for alternate career avenues. A trip to Syria, where the Assad regime’s anti-Jewish violence was celebrated even by domestic detractors, pushed him towards this change. Peter felt increasingly disillusioned, likening his situation to the ‘strike one’ against a disagreeable self-made boss.
In the midst of bonding with famous author Gore Vidal and the stunt crew from James Cameron’s renowned 1997 film, Titanic, Peter opened a new chapter of his career in the intelligence world. Peter found an affinity with the stunt performers, often unheralded, yet crucial to the success of the venture. Drawing parallels with his role as a translator, Peter acknowledged that he had already experienced this feeling of appreciating unseen contributions.
Prior to this, Peter had been involved in contractual translation work for the Joint Publication Research Service, part of the since-dissolved Foreign Broadcast Information Service, which served as a valuable resource for the CIA. However, craving a richer experience, Peter decided to apply first to the National Security Agency, and later to the CIA itself. In the intelligence world’s lexicon, ‘In Obscura’ refers to the condition of an espionage operative who has successfully avoided detection, allowing them to carry out their covert operations.
Several years after his initiation into the CIA, the horrific terrorist attacks on the USA by al-Qaida on September 11, 2001 occurred. As America found itself at war, Peter’s linguistic abilities and his extensive Middle Eastern travel experience deemed him highly suitable in assisting the efforts. His friend, the writer Lee Smith, noted Peter’s adeptness in always being ‘at the most interesting place at the most important time.’
In Obscura is filled with entertaining stories and vivid descriptions as the former Hollywood-based author navigates through various national security bureaucratic webs. In the book, Peter points to the stark cultural differences among these agencies, juxtaposing the more casual CIA with the rule-bound and process-oriented State Department.
The memoir sheds light on the mechanics of policy-making and implementation. Peter credits a majority of the spy memoir authors for their disgruntled and biased narratives, but assures that his memoir sets a different tone. He writes with pride about his service and respect for his colleagues whom he allies with some of the ‘most scholarly, amiable, and quick-witted individuals’ encountered.
Theroux elaborates in the introduction that he isn’t writing his book to retaliate or hold grudges. His inspiration lies in Lynda Obst’s 1996 release, Hello, He Lied, which gives an in-depth view of the day-to-day operations in the movie industry by producers, directors, agents, writers, actors, and editors. Likewise, Theroux aspires to paint a similar picture for the intelligence sector.
Despite writing with a measured sense of pride and readiness to commend, Peter doesn’t hold back on critical observations of the foibles of the D.C. foreign policy elite — or their frequent inability to function effectively. He keenly observes how institutional cultures can influence national security.
Peter has reservations about the State Department being too eager to appease host nations, often to the detriment of America’s elected officials’ desires. He also points to the ‘disconnect between the policy decisions of the executive branch and the functionaries carrying out those policies.’
Due to mandatory secrecy agreements, certain aspects of Peter’s work remain undisclosed. Some will still be under wraps by the time his planned second volume is written. With candid humor, Peter admits that the principle of ‘divulge as little as possible’ might not be the most exciting way to begin a book, but this does not detract from In Obscura’s intrigue.
Despite the necessary omissions, Peter provides intriguing snapshots of his experiences, such as debriefing and planning operations against Islamist terrorists in Iraq. He shares fascinating nuggets like infamous Palestinian terrorist Yasser Arafat’s tendency to monopolize the AC. Arafat is portrayed as a ‘coward in person’ who ‘secured his victories behind a microphone.’ He equally candidly labels a fallen U.S. national security advisor, later caught stealing confidential documents, a ‘creep.’
Theroux’s book not only uncovers aspects of his spying career but also delves into his journalistic experience, such as reporting on Middle Eastern governments’ efforts to control news coverage — a relevance that still holds today. His candid admissions on how Western journalists sometimes resort to self-censorship to maintain ties with oppressive regimes are eye-opening. Echoing Lynda Obst’s warning about ‘flatterers dressed in sheep’s clothing’ in her Hollywood memoir, Peter recognizes that this advice applies equally to the occasionally blurry domain of national security.