The Carlyle Group, the Bush family and 9/11

The Bush family, the Saudi Royal family, Osama Bin Laden's family and Donald Rumsfeld's inner circle - these are just some of the high profile figures who have played a direct role in the rise of one of the most powerful and influential and secretive firms in Washington. The company is called The Carlyle Group. And in the wake of the events of September 11th and the invasion of Iraq, its power and influence have become significantly stronger. The company operates within the so-called iron-triangle of industry, government and the military. Its list of former and current advisers and associates includes a vast array of some of the most powerful men in America and indeed around the world. This program exposes the history of the Carlyle Group, from it's inception as a private equity firm to it's precent status as one of the largest defence contractors in the world.

The Carlyle group is one of America's ten biggest military contracting firms. This firm specializes in what they call 'crony capitalism'. That means they make money by gaining access to the world's leading decision-makers.

The Carlyle group was founded in the late 80s by a fellow named Rubenstein. It is a highly influential multi-sector group, mostly defense related companies and corporations. In the 90s, it started bringing on board the Bush family and Bin Laden family. The two families became the key members of their board. The Group stands accused of involvement in and benefiting from 9/11 attacks.

The Carlyle Group operates in four business areas: Corporate private equity, defense, market strategies and fund of funds, through its AlpInvest subsidiary.

In its 2010 annual report, Carlyle reported assets in excess of $150 billion under management diversified over 84 distinct funds.