Summary
Highlights
John Kiriakou describes the transformation of the CIA into a paramilitary organization after 9/11 and the profound risks faced by counterterrorism officers, including death in the line of duty and immense personal stress that often leads to marital breakdown. He recounts the 17 November group's assassination of Stephen Saunders in Athens, an event where Kiriakou himself was a target but survived due to his security measures, which ultimately led to his divorce.
Kiriakou explains the critical role of assets in counterterrorism, as American CIA officers often cannot directly infiltrate terrorist groups. He details the meticulous process of cultivating relationships and identifying vulnerabilities, such as love for family, financial struggles, or a desire for revenge, to compel individuals to become informants. Kiriakou shares a successful recruitment story where he helped an al-Qaeda member reunite with his family in exchange for actionable intelligence.
The former agent describes the elaborate security protocols for asset meetings, which can last hours and take place in various locations, including safe houses or cars. He highlights the necessity of surveillance detection routes (SDRs) to evade monitoring, emphasizing the importance of not establishing patterns and avoiding provocative actions that could expose CIA officers. He also shares a personal anecdote of nearly compromising his cover due to a simple mistake in ordering a drink.
Kiriakou recounts his role in leading counterterrorism operations in Pakistan, culminating in the capture of Abu Zubaydah, initially believed to be al-Qaeda's number three. He details the raid and Zubaydah's capture, revealing how intelligence from Zubaydah, obtained through rapport-building by an FBI agent, provided crucial information about al-Qaeda's structure and led to the identification of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. However, Kiriakou differentiates his approach from the CIA's subsequent use of 'enhanced interrogation techniques,' which he labels as torture and ineffective, recounting instances where torture led to false information.
Kiriakou condemns the CIA's torture program, stating that it was ineffective and morally wrong. He describes being resistant to the program and facing professional repercussions as a result. After leaving the CIA, he blew the whistle on the torture program to the media, leading to his arrest and imprisonment for revealing classified information. He contrasts his fate with those who conceived, approved, and carried out the torture, noting that he was the only one to face legal consequences, yet he stands by his actions, believing he is on the 'right side of history.'
Kiriakou describes his unconventional path to counterterrorism operations, leveraging his language skills. He details the rigorous training at 'the Farm,' including defensive driving, crash-and-bang exercises, and weapons proficiency. He shares a harrowing experience in Greece, mistaking an attempted carjacking for a terrorist attack due to his heightened state of wariness, highlighting the constant threat perception and the skills required to survive in hostile environments.
Kiriakou discusses the evolving landscape of counterterrorism, emphasizing the future role of human intelligence combined with drone technology. He expresses concerns about AI's impact on covert operations and the 'whack-a-mole' nature of confronting constantly emerging terrorist groups. He criticizes the government's expansion of the definition of 'terrorist group' to include entities like Antifa or Mexican cartels, arguing it diverts resources from genuine threats and infringes on civil liberties. He advocates for adherence to legal processes, even for suspected terrorists, and encourages internal change within the CIA.