Summary of "Was Pearl Harbor an Inside Job?" Episode of History's Greatest Conspiracy Theories

Episode Title: Was Pearl Harbor an Inside Job?
Host/Author: History Extra (Presented by Rob Attar)
Release Date: June 30, 2025

Introduction

In the inaugural episode of the second season of History's Greatest Conspiracy Theories, hosted by Rob Attar, the focus is on one of the most debated events in American history: the attack on Pearl Harbor. Titled "Was Pearl Harbor an Inside Job?", the episode delves deep into the conspiracy theory suggesting that U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) was aware of the impending Japanese attack and may have even facilitated it to thrust the United States into World War II.

Setting the Stage: The Attack on Pearl Harbor

Rob Attar opens the discussion by recounting the events of December 7, 1941. Japan's surprise assault on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor resulted in the loss of over 2,400 lives, the sinking of multiple ships, and the destruction of numerous aircraft. This attack is historically recognized as a pivotal moment that led to America's full-scale entry into World War II.

Quote:
Rob Attar states, “It's one of the most notorious surprise attacks in history. But how much of a surprise was it?” ([00:40])

Understanding the Context: Tensions Between the U.S. and Japan

Guest Steve Toomey, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of Countdown to Pearl Harbour: The 12 Days to the Attack, provides a historical backdrop. He explains that the attack occurred amidst extremely strained relations between the United States and Japan. Negotiations were ongoing in Washington aimed at peacefully resolving Pacific tensions, even as Japan was actively expanding its empire in Asia.

Quote:
Toomey elaborates, “Those negotiations were ongoing in Washington in the first week of December 1941, unbeknownst, and we'll get to this to the United States, Japan had already made the decision to go to war with the United States as well as with just about everyone else in the Pacific.” ([01:42])

Was the Attack Truly a Surprise?

Rob Attar challenges the notion that the attack was entirely unexpected. He emphasizes that the U.S. government, led by FDR, had intelligence indicating an imminent war in the Pacific. The U.S. had intercepted and decrypted Japanese diplomatic codes, revealing Japan's aggressive intentions, albeit without specific details about the targets or timing.

Quote:
Attar notes, “Franklin Roosevelt expected war. The American Navy, the American army expected war.” ([03:12])

Intelligence Intercepts and Their Implications

The conversation delves into the nuances of Japanese code-breaking efforts by the U.S. Attar clarifies that while the U.S. had access to high-level diplomatic communications, these did not divulge concrete plans or the exact timing of the attack on Pearl Harbor. This distinction is crucial in debunking the idea that the U.S. had foreknowledge of the specific assault at Pearl Harbor.

Quote:
Attar explains, “The Japanese had many different codes, and the one that was broken was the Japanese highest level diplomatic code... they were reading them within 24 or 48 hours.” ([04:56])

U.S. Military Response to Intelligence Warnings

Despite the intercepted messages indicating a potential conflict, the actual response from U.S. commanders in the Pacific was inadequate. The directive sent on November 27th warned of impending war and advised defensive postures. However, commanders in Hawaii underestimated the likelihood of a direct attack on Pearl Harbor, deeming it logistically unfeasible for the Japanese to strike so far from Tokyo.

Quote:
Attar critiques the response, stating, “The US commander in Hawaii did not begin air searches in response to that warning.” ([07:41])

Exploring the Conspiracy Theory: FDR's Alleged Motives

The core of the episode hinges on addressing the conspiracy theory that FDR orchestrated or permitted the Pearl Harbor attack to galvanize American entry into World War II. Conspiracy theorists argue that the U.S. stood to benefit geopolitically by entering the war, especially to support Great Britain against Nazi Germany.

Quote:
Toomey challenges this notion, saying, “Franklin Roosevelt’s entire focus, primary focus, was the Atlantic, not the Pacific.” ([12:24])

Debunking the Conspiracy: Host's Rebuttals

Rob Attar systematically dismantles the conspiracy theory by presenting logical inconsistencies and historical evidence. He points out that FDR's policies, such as the oil embargo on Japan, were reactive measures to Japanese aggression, not strategies to provoke an attack. Additionally, the logistical hurdles and strategic disadvantages of allowing Pearl Harbor to be decimated make the conspiracy highly implausible.

Quote:
Attar asserts, “The idea that an American president and his administration would endorse silently the idea that we're willing to sacrifice our principal weapon in the Pacific for a suspicious, I think, ulterior motive, it's just incredible.” ([32:07])

Understanding the Persistence of Conspiracy Theories

In the latter part of the episode, the discussion shifts to why conspiracy theories like the one surrounding Pearl Harbor remain popular. Attar suggests that shocking and traumatic events often give rise to such theories as people seek to make sense of incomprehensible tragedies. The discrepancy between public perception of the U.S. Navy's invincibility and the reality of the Pearl Harbor attack further fuels these theories.

Quote:
Attar reflects, “Whenever you have an event that is so shocking, so unfathomable, I think you've got a table set for conspiracy.” ([26:29])

Modern Relevance: The Rise of Conspiracy Theories Today

Steve Toomey introduces the observation that conspiracy theories surrounding historical events have grown more prevalent in recent years. While Roberto Attar does not delve deeply into the contemporary factors, he hints at the human inclination towards skepticism and the protective nature of questioning official narratives.

Quote:
Attar comments, “Skepticism is a good thing. [...] It's just unhealthy when it goes into unreasonable levels.” ([30:36])

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of the arguments against the Pearl Harbor conspiracy theory. Both Attar and Toomey emphasize that the attack on Pearl Harbor was the result of intelligence failures and strategic miscalculations rather than a deliberate inside plot to involve the United States in World War II.

Final Quote:
Attar summarizes, “Peace in the Pacific served [FDR’s] ends” and “the causes of Pearl harbor were much more human and much less suspicious than the conspiracy theorists would have you believe.” ([34:12])

Closing Remarks:
Rob Attar encourages listeners to join future episodes, hinting at explorations of other historical conspiracy theories, such as the intriguing claim that Elizabeth I was actually a man. The episode underscores the importance of critical analysis and evidence-based understanding of historical events over speculative theories.