In a recent interview, former CIA officer John Kiriakou shared insights into the transformation of the CIA into a combat-focused agency following the September 11 attacks. He detailed the elite units formed to tackle radical Islamic terrorism, highlighting their roles and operations.
• Transformation After 9/11: The CIA rapidly adapted to target threats post-9/11, incorporating elite military personnel from Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, and Delta Force into their ranks. Kiriakou noted that the agency shifted to a more aggressive posture to neutralize enemies of the United States.
• Elite Units: Kiriakou discussed the CIA's elite units, including the Ground Branch, Special Activities Division (SAD), and the Counterterrorism Center (CTC), which operated under extreme secrecy. Their mission focuses on eliminating threats to American citizens and interests.
• Operational Secrecy: The operations conducted by these units are highly classified. Despite the inherent dangers and moral complexities, Kiriakou emphasized the importance of accountability, acknowledging mistakes during operations that resulted in wrongful detentions.
• Mission Declaration: The pivotal moment came the day after 9/11 when Cofer Black announced the agency's new war footing, marking a significant shift to combat terrorism directly. By December 2001, most operational capabilities of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan were reportedly dismantled.
• Dangerous Missions: The elite teams undertake risky operations, often infiltrating hostile territories to execute essential missions. Kiriakou noted that many CIA operatives are honored posthumously for their sacrifices, though their contributions often remain unknown.
• Global Response Staff: Kiriakou introduced the Global Response Staff (GRS), whose members protect CIA officers in dangerous locations, often risking their own lives in the process.
• Critique of Long-Term Strategy: Kiriakou criticized the lengthy war, which he viewed as a failure, leading to significant American losses and expenditure with minimal success in establishing a stable democracy in Afghanistan. He highlighted the tragic outcome of the U. S. withdrawal in August 2021, where the Taliban quickly regained control.
Kiriakou's insights provide a window into the complex operations of the CIA and its commitment to counterterrorism post-9/11, while also prompting reflection on the consequences of prolonged military engagement in foreign conflicts.
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/inside-cia-unit-nobody-dares-talk-about
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