Demetrius Eastwood is an Interesting Character
There are several minor characters in the Duncan Hunter books. Demetrius Eastwood is loosely based on an Oliver North-like character. They had similar trials and travails, in the Marine Corps and after their time in uniform. The difference is largely Eastwood is given much more latitude to investigate and report on the things he finds. I wanted a character that wasn't afraid to tackle some of the more politically-sensitive things that is "out there" adversely affecting Americans. The Duncan Hunter books are heavily steeped in counterterrorism, but less counterinsurgency, but more counternarcotics. Eastwood is naturally inquisitive, and he has every right to be.
Terrorists have continually targeted him and his family. He's been the subject to a fatwa; a Islamic death sentence and bounty for his life. Like Salman Rushdie, Eastwood pokes radical Islamic terrorist-types with an in-you-face special, such as, "Is your neighborhood mosque a sleeper cell?" He doesn't have the top secret clearances any longer so he cannot get the FBI to answer his questions why they have stopped investigating the going-ons in mosques around the country. This is reference to some poorly reported failures of the FBI where they have been taken to court and can no longer have spies inside mosques. For Eastwood, that's a problem. He knows there's something going on there but is forced to report on other terrorist groups across the globe.
And then there is the obvious conflict of the CIA pilot, Duncan Hunter, having a relationship with a reporter. CIA types are allergic to reporters. Hunter finds Eastwood useful, even helpful at times. And since Eastwood was instrumental in the rescue of Nazy Cunningham, Hunter is forever in his debt. Sometimes they're able to share a story or two.
Maverick out!
There are several minor characters in the Duncan Hunter books. Demetrius Eastwood is loosely based on an Oliver North-like character. They had similar trials and travails, in the Marine Corps and after their time in uniform. The difference is largely Eastwood is given much more latitude to investigate and report on the things he finds. I wanted a character that wasn't afraid to tackle some of the more politically-sensitive things that is "out there" adversely affecting Americans. The Duncan Hunter books are heavily steeped in counterterrorism, but less counterinsurgency, but more counternarcotics. Eastwood is naturally inquisitive, and he has every right to be.
Terrorists have continually targeted him and his family. He's been the subject to a fatwa; a Islamic death sentence and bounty for his life. Like Salman Rushdie, Eastwood pokes radical Islamic terrorist-types with an in-you-face special, such as, "Is your neighborhood mosque a sleeper cell?" He doesn't have the top secret clearances any longer so he cannot get the FBI to answer his questions why they have stopped investigating the going-ons in mosques around the country. This is reference to some poorly reported failures of the FBI where they have been taken to court and can no longer have spies inside mosques. For Eastwood, that's a problem. He knows there's something going on there but is forced to report on other terrorist groups across the globe.
And then there is the obvious conflict of the CIA pilot, Duncan Hunter, having a relationship with a reporter. CIA types are allergic to reporters. Hunter finds Eastwood useful, even helpful at times. And since Eastwood was instrumental in the rescue of Nazy Cunningham, Hunter is forever in his debt. Sometimes they're able to share a story or two.
Maverick out!
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