Podcast Summary: The Rest Is Classified

Title: Bin Laden vs the CIA: 9/11 (Ep 4)
Release Date: June 10, 2025
Hosts: David McCloskey & Gordon Corera

Introduction

In Episode 54 of The Rest Is Classified, titled "Bin Laden vs the CIA: 9/11," hosts David McCloskey and Gordon Corera delve deep into the intricate web of espionage, intelligence failures, and strategic maneuvers that culminated in the tragic events of September 11, 2001. This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of Osama bin Laden's interactions with the CIA, the planning and execution of the 9/11 attacks, and the immediate aftermath that shaped global geopolitics.

Historical Background: Bin Laden and the CIA in the 1990s

The Genesis of the Plot

The roots of the 9/11 attacks can be traced back to May 1996, when Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM) approached Osama bin Laden in Tora Bora, Afghanistan. KSM, a pivotal figure in Al Qaeda’s operations, presented a revolutionary yet audacious plan: using passenger jets as weapons to target significant American landmarks.

David McCloskey explains:

"KSM pitches Osama on a plot to crash planes into buildings... Khalid Sheikh Mohammed comes back to Kandahar in 1999. He formally joins Al Qaeda... regurgitates this proposal for Al Qaeda members to fly small planes packed with explosives into the World Trade Center."
(07:08)

Bin Laden’s Reluctance and Expansion of the Plot

Initially skeptical, bin Laden's perspective shifted when one of his trusted military aides advocated for the plan's reconsideration. This led to refining the attack strategy, narrowing targets to the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon, and the World Trade Center.

Gordon Corera adds:

"It's the summer of 2001. Osama bin Laden is working feverishly on plans for the 9/11 attacks... the first of its long history, is destructible."
(03:03)

Planning the 9/11 Attacks

Recruitment and Training of Hijackers

By 2001, nineteen hijackers had settled in the United States, integrating seamlessly while maintaining their terrorist objectives. Bin Laden meticulously selected operatives, including members from the Hamburg cell, to exploit their familiarity with Western cultures and languages.

McCloskey notes:

"They know how to live in the west, they speak English, they can get visas... they are going to go in and out of these Afghan training camps under bin Laden's tutelage."
(08:45)

Strategic Warnings and Intelligence Signals

Throughout the summer of 2001, intelligence agencies, particularly the CIA, received numerous strategic warnings indicating that a major attack was imminent. Reports ranged from vague chatter about Al Qaeda's intentions to more concrete hints suggesting an operation of unprecedented scale.

Corera reflects:

"There is a buzz that a major operation is coming... something big is coming."
(10:56)

Intelligence Warnings and Failures

A Deluge of Information but Lack of Specifics

Despite receiving a barrage of intelligence reports, the CIA struggled with the lack of concrete details necessary to thwart the impending attacks. The information was often strategic rather than tactical, leaving officials uncertain about the exact nature of the threat.

McCloskey asserts:

"There's this sense that there's just a fire hose they're drinking from and almost helpless to stop the big one from coming true."
(14:58)

Institutional Rivalries and Communication Breakdowns

A significant factor in the intelligence failure was the lack of effective communication between agencies like the CIA and the FBI. For instance, the CIA failed to inform the FBI about two suspected Al Qaeda members on their watch list, both of whom became 9/11 hijackers.

Corera observes:

"They have a bunch of sources and they're getting some of this... but without that, you don't have the details of what it is."
(18:21)

The September 11 Attacks

The Execution of the Attacks

On September 11, 2001, four coordinated terrorist attacks were carried out using commercial airplanes as weapons. The first two planes struck the World Trade Center towers in New York City, followed by a third hitting the Pentagon. The fourth plane, intended for the U.S. Capitol, crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to retake control.

McCloskey details:

"At 8:46am... American Airlines Flight 11 crashes into the north Tower of the World Trade Center... At 9:03am, the second plane hits the South Tower... At 9:38am, the third plane crashes into the Pentagon."
(24:12)

Immediate Aftermath and Realization

The realization that these were deliberate attacks crystallized after the second plane struck the South Tower. The devastation was immediate and palpable, leading to frantic efforts to respond and understand the magnitude of the event.

Corera reflects on his personal experience:

"I was a journalist at the time... seeing the smoke two or three days later... it was shocking the idea the American homeland could be attacked in that way."
(28:34)

Aftermath: The Hunt for Osama bin Laden

Initial Response and Tora Bora

Following the attacks, the CIA took the lead in the pursuit of bin Laden. The mountainous region of Tora Bora in Afghanistan became the focal point of the manhunt. Despite intense bombing campaigns and ground operations involving Special Forces and the CIA, bin Laden managed to evade capture.

McCloskey explains:

"Osama bin Laden rides to the home of a trusted ally... he releases a video... so he essentially disappears."
(31:25)

Missed Opportunities and Escalating Frustration

The failure to secure bin Laden's capture in Tora Bora highlighted critical intelligence and operational shortcomings. Decisions not to deploy sufficient ground troops and the reliance on fragmented intelligence contributed to this monumental escape.

Corera comments:

"They apply massive bombs but don't seal the border... another one of those missed opportunities."
(35:44)

The Beginning of a Decade-Long Manhunt

With bin Laden's escape, the CIA entered a prolonged and arduous manhunt that would span nearly a decade. The inability to penetrate the upper echelons of Al Qaeda and the lack of actionable intelligence underscored the complexities of counterterrorism efforts.

McCloskey concludes:

"The CIA fails to watch list two suspected Al Qaeda members... it's a bunch of different things and we'll deal with that story in a really detailed way when we do a 9/11 series."
(19:32)

Conclusion

Episode 54 of The Rest Is Classified offers a riveting account of the intelligence dynamics and operational challenges that defined the fight against Osama bin Laden leading up to and following the 9/11 attacks. Through meticulous research and insightful discussions, David McCloskey and Gordon Corera shed light on the pivotal moments and critical decisions that shaped this dark chapter in history.

Notable Quotes

• David McCloskey (07:08): "KSM pitches Osama on a plot to crash planes into buildings... regurgitates this proposal for Al Qaeda members to fly small planes packed with explosives into the World Trade Center."

• Gordon Corera (10:56): "There is a buzz that a major operation is coming... something big is coming."

• David McCloskey (14:58): "There's just a fire hose they're drinking from and almost helpless to stop the big one from coming true."

• David McCloskey (31:25): "Osama bin Laden rides to the home of a trusted ally... he releases a video... so he essentially disappears."

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a crucial installment in understanding the multifaceted battle between intelligence agencies and terrorist networks. It underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation, timely intelligence processing, and the profound consequences of intelligence failures.

For listeners eager to dive deeper into the hunt for bin Laden and the subsequent efforts to bring him to justice, upcoming episodes promise detailed explorations and exclusive insights.