The Terrorist Next Door

Although the information in The Terrorist Next Door is often disturbing and frequently infuriating, the following acknowledgments are a celebration of all the people who showed me love, support, and guidance through the years and helped make this book possible.

The book was written over a period of seven months in planes, trains, hotels, subway cars, coffee shops, public libraries, and at home with an energetic 4-year-old nipping at my heels. For much of that time, sleep was only a rumor, but I lived to tell the tale. And I pray that the book impacts the national dialogue concerning America’s struggle against Islamic jihadism—if nothing else, for our children’s sake.

First, I want to thank my wife, Lori. Where do I even begin? When we met, we were just a couple of kids back in the neighborhood, without a care in the world. Since then, you have stood by me through good times and bad, tragedies and triumphs, setbacks and opportunities. We’ve gone through more in our fourteen years together than most people see in a lifetime, yet we’re still standing, stronger than ever. I am eternally grateful for your boundless patience, understanding, and encouragement as I worked long hours to make this book a reality, with a newborn in the house, no less. It can never be repaid, and I know it would never even cross your mind to ask because that it is just who you are: a special, beautiful person. And pretty darn good-looking, too. You are a true blessing to me, and I thank God every day for bringing you into my life.

Speaking of blessings from above, my two daughters, Juliana and Leah, are the greatest gifts God could ever have given me. Special thanks go to the extraordinarily beautiful Juliana, for faithfully putting up with those weekends where Daddy would “disappear” to the library for a few hours to hammer out a chapter. It broke my heart every time I walked out the door to work rather than to stay home and play with you. But know that I wrote this book, ultimately, for you and your gorgeous little sister, Leah. I am determined to do everything in my power to ensure that you two little angels grow up in a free and prosperous America that is every bit as special and exceptional as the one I grew up in.

From the time I was just an outspoken little guy with big dreams, my mother Agnes and my late father Fred Sr. provided me with unending love, support, and encouragement in all my endeavors, no matter how improbable they may have seemed at first. Moreover, despite modest means, they did everything in their power to make those dreams a reality, sacrificing greatly to somehow send me to a prestigious high school that helped prepare me for college and my career beyond. Mom, you truly have a servant’s heart: thank you a thousand times over for your patience with me, your forgiving nature, and for instilling a love of God in me at a young age. And Dad, you helped shape me into the man I am today. I know that you’re reading a copy of this book in heaven and cheering me on the whole way. I love you and will see you again one day in a much better place.

My sister Judy and my brother Fred deserve special thanks for always picking up for their trouble-making, rowdy little brother in my pre-teen years, until I became a rowdy teenager who sprouted to 6 foot 4 and grew big enough to handle himself. Judy, you have been my greatest fan and supporter ever since I was a fifth grader shooting hoops with dreams of someday making it to the NBA. You are a blessing to me and to everyone who knows you and you have the kindest, most generous heart of anyone I have ever known. Thank you for your everlasting friendship and for taking the time to thoroughly read through each of these chapters. Fred, thank you for the thousands of hours of conversation over the years about life, politics, the Middle East, and everything in between. It helped shape the contents of this book. And thanks for letting me tag along with you and “the older guys” up the Rec. I have learned more from you—and from those legendary experiences—than you know.

The idea for this book began not with me, but with my fantastic literary agent, Maura Teitelbaum of Abrams Artists Agency. Maura, endless thanks for the confidence you’ve shown in my ability and your enthusiasm and persistence in making this project a reality. You have been a tireless advocate for my work and you would not rest until this book was a done deal. Thank you.

Special thanks go to Harry Crocker and the entire team at Regnery Publishing for giving me the opportunity to do this book and sound the alarm about the threats we’re facing. It was an absolute pleasure working with the Regnery team from the beginning of the process to the end, and I am indebted to them for their confidence, honesty, and support.

My editor, Jack Langer, was the perfect fit for this book, and I believe that the final product reflects that. Jack’s passion for and knowledge of issues relating to the Middle East and Islamic jihad, combined with his superb additions and editorial critiques, gave this project the polish and direction it needed. Jack was also unflappable when we got down to “crunch time,” which was not surprising considering he, like me, hails from Philadelphia. Go Phils.

In addition to being one of America’s finest investigative journalists and a foremost expert on the Muslim Brotherhood, Patrick Poole is a great friend. Pat, thanks for all of your guidance, suggestions, and insights pertaining to this book, particularly on chapter eight. You are a true watchman on the wall for our nation.

Thanks also to my friend, the great Michelle Malkin, who contributed an outstanding foreword that completely captured the tone and message of the book—no one could have done it better.

I would not be typing these words if it were not for my employer, the Christian Broadcasting Network, which took a flyer on me in 2005 and showed boundless patience as I grew and matured as an on-air presence. Thanks especially to Dr. Pat Robertson, Gordon Robertson, and Michael Little for their support and guidance through the years and for providing encouragement for this and every project I have embarked on during my time at CBN. The past six years working for CBN have brought one blessing after another, and I am very fortunate to call the network home.

I am also fortunate to have a news director at CBN, Rob Allman, who trusts my instincts and grants me the creative freedom to pursue the stories that I believe are important for our audience and our nation. Rob has stuck with me through growing pains and ups and downs, and has always been there to provide feedback and advice, not only professionally but on a personal level. I am extremely grateful.

What can I say about my colleagues at CBN’s Washington, D.C. bureau? Simply put, you guys are family. Special thanks to bureau chief Robin Mazyck, for her daily support, guidance, and friendship, and her encouragement of this project; to David Brody, who has been a great and trusted friend and mentor since the day I began at CBN—they don’t make’em any better as a reporter or a human being; and to Matt Keedy and David Page, two dear friends and creative geniuses who have managed to make me look good for six years—you guys are true masters of your crafts. And hey, we’ve had a lot of fun doing it.

Many thanks also to my fearless cameramen Ian Rushing, Steve Jacobi, Jerome Young, and Royce Sallstrom, who have followed me into some very nasty places through the years and come face-to-face with evil men as a result. They’ve never flinched, no matter how hairy the situation may have become. They, and every D.C. crew member, are the unsung heroes of this book.

Big thanks to my fellow reporters John Jessup, Paul Strand, and Jennifer Wishon, for all the laughs, fellowship, and support; I’ll stack our reporting corps up against anyone’s. Thanks also to intrepid editor and good friend Jacob Moore; to Alegra Hassan, who was always there with a smile, a kind spirit, and great advice; to Crystal Woodall; and to the invaluable Pat Jenkins and Tamatha Papadeas, who make the whole thing run.

To everyone at CBN’s Virginia Beach bureau: you guys are a joy to work with and there is no one I’d rather go to war alongside on a daily basis—period. Thanks most of all for your friendship. The same goes for the team at CBN’s Jerusalem bureau, particularly my good buddy Chris Mitchell, who has helped me navigate the rough waters of the Middle East and more.

Thanks to my friends David Horowitz and Jamie Glazov, who gave me my first opportunity to write about the issues of Islamic jihad and the Middle East. I am eternally grateful. Thanks also to Steven Emerson of the Investigative Project on Terrorism, who gave me my first job in Washington, D.C. and greatly aided my development as a journalist.

Thanks to my good friend Nir Boms, a true freedom fighter who showed me the ropes of Washington, D.C., and to Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and Walid Phares, two indispensable allies in the fight to preserve our nation.

Thanks also to everyone at FOX News for their steady support and to the entire team at Christians United for Israel, especially my good friends David Brog and Ari Morgenstern.

To all my friends in Israel: stay strong, be blessed, and keep fighting the good fight. Know that I will stand with you always.

Closer to home, I’d like to thank everyone in Fox Chase. There are simply too many people to name. For anyone I ever shot hoops with, ate at Stoxy’s with, dreamed with and shared a laugh with, thank you. I’ll never forget. Fox Chase is a special place filled with special people who have impacted my life immeasurably. Know that I’m writing this book, ultimately, because I want to preserve the way we grew up for us and our kids. I love you all and remember fondly the days where all we had to worry about was running a full up the Rec on a hot summer night with good music playing in the background, hanging out, laughing and talking into the wee hours. You’re friends for life.

To my late in-laws, Maz and Gigs, thank you for accepting me into your family, encouraging my career, and treating me as your own son. You are gone but not forgotten. The same goes for my late Uncle Jim, an Iwo Jima veteran and true American hero. And to my dearly departed friends Eddie Polec, who was taken from us much too soon, and Danny Kuhlmeier, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country, I’ll see you when I get there.

Thanks to Jose and everyone on the block for all the good times.

Thanks to Steve Chadwin, Kristine Long, and Dr. Thomas Lombardi for seeing something in me, helping me to grow, and encouraging me to follow my dreams.

Thanks to all of the Stakelbecks and Kilkennys everywhere, and to the entire Berkery clan—especially Joe Marshall, for all the late night talks about the future of our nation.

Thanks to my friend Rudy Atallah for teaching me about the peace of the Lord, and to Tass Saada, for helping me to finally attain it.

Endless thanks go to the men and women of the U.S. military, the “shadow warriors,” and all of the unsung heroes at home and in the trenches overseas who are battling to keep America safe and free.

At the end of the day, all credit for this book goes to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Lord tugged on my heart for years and I resisted, trying to travel on my own path and on my own timetable rather than on His, which is always perfect. In 2009, I finally gave myself completely to Jesus, stopped fighting, and let Him take control of my life. Every day since then has been an adventure and a blessing. He truly changes lives—and I’ll shout it from the mountaintops to anyone who will listen. Thank you, Lord, for everything.