

"There's not a day I do not think about those Americans" who died in Iraq
Mar 28, 2025
Luis Rueda, former director of the CIA's Iraq Operations Group, shares chilling insights about the Iraq War's missteps and their severe repercussions. He reflects on the intelligence blunders that led to critical failures post-invasion, including misinformation about weapons of mass destruction. Rueda discusses the emotional toll of his experiences and emphasizes the responsibility of intelligence in safeguarding national security. His engaging anecdotes shed light on the ethical dilemmas faced by operatives in the complex world of covert operations.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Intro
00:00 • 3min
Security Breaches and Personal Responsibilities
03:22 • 12min
Reflections on the CIA During Reagan's Presidency
15:52 • 2min
Navigating Covert Operations: From Aspirations to Assignments
17:46 • 2min
The Art of Propaganda: Classifications and Tactics
19:56 • 5min
Challenges of Counter-Narcotics Operations
25:09 • 6min
A CIA Perspective on Iraq Operations
30:41 • 2min
The Complexities of Covert Operations in Iraq
32:52 • 28min