56. Bin Laden vs the CIA: Death in Pakistan (Ep 6)
His poetry celebrated a cosmic struggle of violence and glory, but his end was far from a medieval power play. Why did Osama bin Laden spend his final years in a secluded compound in Pakistan, attempting to manage a global terrorist organisation while living a surprisingly mundane life? What were the chilling details of the raid that finally brought him down, and how did it forever change the landscape of global security?
In the final episode of our series on Osama bin Laden vs the CIA, we delve into his strange, semi-retired life in Abbottabad, where he micro-managed Al Qaeda from a makeshift studio and devoured books about himself. Discover how the US military's capabilities evolved from the late 1990s to 2011, culminating in the precise operation that targeted his compound. From the dramatic helicopter mishap to the final moments inside his "self-made prison," we recount the daring raid and its immediate aftermath.
Join Gordon and David as they conclude this wild series, reflecting on bin Laden's ultimate demise, his shattered legacy, and the profound, lasting impact he cast over the world. Plus, make sure you’re subscribed to the Declassified Club via the link below for a special, bonus interview with a man who spent his career tracking down Al Qaeda’s infamous leader.
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To sign up to The Declassified Club, go to www.therestisclassified.com or click this link.
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Order a signed edition of Gordon's latest book, The Spy in the Archive, via this link.
Order a signed edition of David's latest book, The Seventh Floor, via this link.
-------------------
Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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1:05:04
55. Bin Laden vs the CIA: The Hunt for the World's Most Wanted (Ep 5)
A decade after 9/11, Osama bin Laden remained at large, a constant "running sore" for the US government. But how did a fleeting glimpse of a tall guy with a beard and the interrogation of a high-value detainee finally set the CIA on the right path? And what was the decision that President Obama had to make, knowing the risks and the history of missed opportunities?
In this episode, we detail the relentless pursuit of Osama bin Laden, focusing on the critical intelligence trail that went from a vague alias to a specific car. Discover how the complex US-Pakistani relationship, characterised by mistrust and double game allegations, complicated any direct action. And, learn about the elaborate surveillance of the compound in Abbottabad, perhaps the last place the CIA expected bin Laden to be.
Join David and Gordon in this penultimate episode in their investigation into the life and death of Osama bin Laden.
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To sign up to The Declassified Club, go to www.therestisclassified.com or click this link.
To sign up to the free newsletter, go to: https://mailchi.mp/goalhanger.com/tric-free-newsletter-sign-up
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Exclusive INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to https://incogni.com/restisclassified
-------------------
Order a signed edition of Gordon's latest book, The Spy in the Archive, via this link.
Order a signed edition of David's latest book, The Seventh Floor, via this link.
-------------------
Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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58:46
54. Bin Laden vs the CIA: 9/11 (Ep 4)
On a clear September morning, the American homeland was shattered, revealing a vulnerability unforeseen for nearly two centuries. But, how did Osama bin Laden, soon to become the world's most wanted terrorist, orchestrate the largest mass murder in American history? What was the "chatter" among Al Qaeda members that something was imminent, and why couldn't the intelligence community piece together the puzzle?
This episode plunges into the meticulous planning and devastating execution of the 9/11 attacks. From Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's initial "insane ideas" to Osama bin Laden's personal selection of suicide operatives, we explore the journey from whispers of "something big was coming" to the collapse of the Twin Towers. Discover the strategic warnings received by the U.S. intelligence community and the crucial missed opportunities that allowed the plot to succeed.
Listen as Gordon and David recount the horrifying events of 9/11, the immediate response of the U.S. government, and the first frantic steps in the decade-long hunt for the mastermind.
-------------------
To sign up to The Declassified Club, go to www.therestisclassified.com or click this link.
To sign up to the free newsletter, go to: https://mailchi.mp/goalhanger.com/tric-free-newsletter-sign-up
-------------------
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Exclusive INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to https://incogni.com/restisclassified
-------------------
Pre-order a signed edition of Gordon's latest book, The Spy in the Archive, via this link.
Order a signed edition of David's latest book, The Seventh Floor, via this link.
-------------------
Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
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44:56
53. Bin Laden vs the CIA: The Great Escape (Ep 3)
"The walls of oppression and humiliation cannot be demolished except in a rain of bullets." These chilling words from Osama bin Laden's 1996 fatwa declared war on the United States. How did this Saudi Arabian millionaire transform into a global terrorist leader, openly inviting media attention even as he plotted attacks against America? And what were the critical missed opportunities for the CIA to capture or kill him before 9/11?
Today we’re exploring bin Laden's return to Afghanistan in 1996, a permissive sanctuary where he solidified Al Qaeda as a global force. Despite dwindling personal funds, he used propaganda and media appearances to generate cash and build his image as a puritanical jihadist leader. Discover his strange lifestyle at Tarnak Farms, a decrepit former Soviet agricultural station, and the shift in his ideology that led him to declare all Americans, civilian or military, as legitimate targets.
Join Gordon and David as they dissect the events leading up to the devastating 1998 embassy bombings in East Africa, the controversial "Trod Pints" plan to kidnap bin Laden, and the mounting frustration within the CIA over a series of missed chances.
-------------------
To sign up to The Declassified Club, go to www.therestisclassified.com or click this link.
To sign up to the free newsletter, go to: https://mailchi.mp/goalhanger.com/tric-free-newsletter-sign-up
-------------------
Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ nordvpn.com/restisclassified It's risk-free with Nord's 30 day money back guarantee
Exclusive INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to https://incogni.com/restisclassified
-------------------
Pre-order a signed edition of Gordon's latest book, The Spy in the Archive, via this link.
Order a signed edition of David's latest book, The Seventh Floor, via this link.
-------------------
Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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1:01:15
52. Bin Laden vs the CIA: Declaring Jihad (Ep 2)
How did a Saudi millionaire, seemingly more interested in a simple life than luxury, become the architect of a global terrorist organization? What personal and geopolitical forces converged to transform Osama bin Laden from a shy student into a war hero and the spiritual leader of Al Qaeda? And why was 1979 such a pivotal year for both him and the future of Islamic extremism?
In this episode, Gordon and David dissect the pivotal year of 1979, a "hinge year" in the Middle East that profoundly impacted bin Laden. From the Grand Mosque siege in Mecca to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, we explore how these events provided an outlet for his burgeoning extremist beliefs and set him on the path to violence. Discover how he leveraged his family wealth and charismatic influence to build a network of Arab volunteers, laying the groundwork for a movement that would change the world.
Join Gordon and David as they trace the critical turning points that led to the formation of Al Qaeda, and the surprising ways in which bin Laden cultivated his image as a holy warrior.
-------------------
To sign up to The Declassified Club, go to www.therestisclassified.com or click this link.
To sign up to the free newsletter, go to: https://mailchi.mp/goalhanger.com/tric-free-newsletter-sign-up
-------------------
Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ nordvpn.com/restisclassified It's risk-free with Nord's 30 day money back guarantee
Exclusive INCOGNI Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to https://incogni.com/restisclassified
-------------------
Pre-order a signed edition of Gordon's latest book, The Spy in the Archive, via this link.
Order a signed edition of David's latest book, The Seventh Floor, via this link.
-------------------
Email: classified@goalhanger.com
Twitter: @triclassified
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Callum Hill
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Enter the secretive world of spies, espionage, and covert operations.
Hosted by former CIA analyst turned spy novelist, David McCloskey, and veteran security correspondent, Gordon Corera, this podcast unravels real-life spy stories, intelligence secrets, and the hidden power struggles shaping global events.
From Cold War espionage to modern-day intelligence agencies like the CIA, MI6, and Mossad, explore the world of double agents, classified missions, and the shadowy figures who operate in them. Whether you're a true crime addict, a thriller fan, or fascinated by spy stories, this is the show for you.
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