Lecture Notes: Interview with Sarah Adams on The Shawn Ryan Show

Introduction

• Guest: Sarah Adams, former CIA analyst and targeter, currently with the US Department of Defense.
• Discussion on the Benghazi attack and its implications.
• Recent events in Israel and questions about terrorism and border security.
• Importance of tracking terrorist movements, especially through the Southern US border.

Guest Background

• Sarah Adams: Author of "Benghazi: Know Thy Enemy"
• Former CIA officer focusing on the Libyan crisis, counterterrorism analyst, and targeter.
• Senior adviser on the Select Committee on Benghazi.

CIA Roles Explained

• Analyst: Answers questions from policymakers using CIA-gathered information.
• Targeter: Bridges the gap between case officers and analysts to move operations forward.

Benghazi Attack

• Two major lies: Protest narrative and immediate GRS response.
• Protest narrative debunked by surveillance videos showing no protest.
• Justice: Some attackers killed in drone strikes, others by French and Libyan forces.

Adams' CIA Career

• Applied online to CIA in 2006.
• Worked in Pakistan during significant events like the Mumbai attacks.
• Involved in targeting operations and capture missions, including significant roles in operations post-UBL (Osama Bin Laden) raid.

Drone Strikes and Ethics

• Experience with the ethics of drone strike nominations.
• Challenges within the CIA regarding accountability and honesty.

The Coast Bombing

• Details of the 2009 Coast bombing in Afghanistan, a double agent attack on CIA personnel.
• Discussion on the involvement of international terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and TTP.

Capture Operations

• Capture of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, co-founder of the Taliban.
• Challenges faced in the process and implications for US-Taliban relations.

Afghan Withdrawal

• Issues with the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
• Role of various agencies, the impact on military personnel, and the role of volunteer groups.

Current Situation in Afghanistan

• Chinese influence and investment in Afghanistan post-withdrawal.
• Taliban's relationships with international powers.
• Al-Qaeda and international terrorists using Afghanistan as a safe haven.

Southern Border Security

• Terrorists identified attempting to enter the US through the Southern border.
• Challenges in tracking and capturing these individuals.

Conclusion

• The ongoing geopolitical implications of past and present US foreign policy decisions.
• Importance of vigilance and accurate information in national security.