Serial Season 4, Episode 8: "Two Ledgers" – Detailed Summary
Host: Dana Chivvis
Guest: Majid Khan
Release Date: May 9, 2024
Produced by: Serial Productions & The New York Times
1. Introduction
In the eighth episode of Season Four, titled "Two Ledgers," Serial delves deep into the complex narrative of Majid Khan, a former member of Al Qaeda who finds himself ensnared in the U.S. justice system. The episode juxtaposes Majid's past actions with the severe treatment he endured at the hands of American authorities, exploring the moral and legal ambiguities surrounding his case.
2. Background on Majid Khan
Majid Khan's journey begins as a typical American teenager with Pakistani roots. At 16, his family relocates to Baltimore, where he attends Owings Mills High School. He engages in typical youthful activities, such as smoking weed and aspiring to be a DJ under the stage name "Bob Dacey." However, a pivotal moment occurs when his mother dies suddenly at 21, prompting a profound identity crisis and a deepened commitment to Islam.
Notable Quote:
Majid Khan (02:14): "I still believe in due process. I still believe in due process. Right or wrong, whatever I did, I believe in due process."
3. Radicalization and Joining Al Qaeda
Majid's increasing political awareness, particularly regarding Palestine, becomes a catalyst for his radicalization. Disillusioned with American foreign policies, he gravitates towards extremist ideologies. In January 2002, four months after the September 11 attacks, Majid travels to Pakistan with the intention of joining jihadist groups. Contrary to initial conspiracy theories he entertained, his uncle and cousin steer him towards Al Qaeda, embedding him deeper into terrorist activities.
Notable Quote:
Majid Khan (08:40): "I had nothing against America. I didn't have it then, I don't have it now. It's your fucking stupid foreign policy that your leaders make, right?"
4. Activities and Criminal Acts
Within Al Qaeda, Majid becomes directly involved in plotting terrorist activities. He reports to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), the architect of 9/11, and engages in various missions, including an assassination attempt on Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and the delivery of $50,000 to fund a suicide bombing in Jakarta, which resulted in the deaths of 11 people and injuries to 81 others.
Notable Quote:
Majid Khan (09:04): "And I'm thinking, how many Majid Khan out there right now that will become like me?"
5. Capture and Detention
In March 2003, Majid is apprehended in Karachi when Pakistani intelligence raids his apartment, mistaking his DJ alias for involvement in terrorism. He is subjected to brutal interrogations, leading to his eventual transfer to CIA black sites.
Notable Quote:
Majid Khan (12:59): "Who doesn't want to go to heaven?"
6. Torture in CIA Black Sites
Majid's detention is marked by intense and systematic torture aimed at extracting intelligence. Techniques include waterboarding, forced hanging, and rectal feeding, which he describes as rape. Despite the severe abuse, Majid develops a complex relationship with his interrogators, expressing a begrudging respect for their candor while vehemently condemning the sadistic nature of other treatments.
Notable Quote:
Majid Khan (24:52): "I couldn't... I couldn't understand in Camp Salmon. I try not to think about it, honestly. It just was the lowest point in my life."
7. Guantanamo and Camp 7
In 2006, Majid is transferred to Camp 7 at Guantanamo Bay, a highly secretive facility housing some of the most notorious terrorists. Here, the psychological torment intensifies with constant noises, isolation, and manipulative tactics designed to break detainees mentally. Majid notes a disturbing desensitization among guards and fellow prisoners alike.
Notable Quote:
Majid Khan (20:33): "We had a mutual respect for that."
8. Legal Proceedings and Plea Deal
Facing indefinite detention without charges, Majid opts for a strategic plea deal. In exchange for pleading guilty to five charges, including murder and conspiracy, he agrees to cooperate with U.S. prosecutors against other detainees, seeking leniency in his sentencing. Central to this agreement is Majid's desire to publicly recount his experiences of torture.
Notable Quote:
Majid Khan (25:33): "Allow me to speak. Let me tell the world what they did to me."
9. The Sentencing Hearing
On October 28, 2021, Majid stands before a military commission to deliver a heartfelt statement detailing his crimes and the horrific treatment he endured. His plea emphasizes accountability, seeking to balance his past actions with the abuses inflicted upon him.
Notable Quote:
Majid Khan (45:17): "I have a story that I have waited almost two decades to tell."
During his testimony, Majid vividly describes the brutality of the CIA's interrogation methods, including waterboarding, forced feeding, and sexual assault by a CIA "torture doctor." Despite his suffering, Majid takes responsibility for his past, expressing remorse towards his family and the victims of his actions.
10. Post-Release Life
After serving his sentence, Majid is released in February 2023 and relocates to Belize. He reunites with his wife Rabia and their daughter Manal, striving to rebuild his life despite the lingering trauma from his imprisonment. Majid expresses a desire to move forward, distancing himself from his painful past.
Notable Quote:
Majid Khan (61:53): "I just want to make sure only two people come. My two loved ones. That's it."
11. Reflections and Conclusions
"Two Ledgers" presents a nuanced exploration of justice, redemption, and the long-term impacts of torture. It raises critical questions about the balance between accounting for one's actions and acknowledging the atrocities committed by authorities. The episode underscores Majid's unique position of understanding both extremist ideologies and American legal principles, offering a rare perspective on the human cost of terrorism and the complexities of rehabilitation.
Notable Quote:
Majid Khan (40:30): "They lost interest. They don't. They know it happens. Bad shit happened. And it was almost like they had created a tolerance for this that is almost... desensitized to torture now."
Conclusion
Episode 8 of Serial Season 4, "Two Ledgers," meticulously weaves the intricate tale of Majid Khan, juxtaposing his journey from radicalization to terrorism with the severe oppression he faced within the U.S. detention system. Through compelling narrative and poignant testimonies, the episode invites listeners to ponder the ethical and legal ramifications of justice, punishment, and rehabilitation in the shadowy realm of counterterrorism.