#81 Sarah Adams - Barack Obama Visited Beyonce and Jay-Z During the Benghazi Attacks | Part 2
Nov 1, 2023
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Sarah Adams, a former CIA Targeter with extensive experience in intelligence during the Global War on Terror, sheds light on the Benghazi attacks. She discusses critical decisions made Stateside while U.S. service members faced danger, questioning the efficacy of intelligence responses and military support. Adams shares anecdotes revealing communication failures and political manipulations surrounding the crisis. She also touches on the current risks of terrorism and the complexities of navigating government bureaucracy, underscoring the need for accountability.
There were separate attacks on the US consulate and the CIA annex in Benghazi, with different motivations and executions.
Working in Congress showed that it lacks significant influence and often produces well-written reports but lacks the power to enforce change.
Al Qaeda has a global presence, established networks, connections, and a financial structure that enables their operations, making them a significant global force in the terrorism landscape.
Deep dives
The masterminds behind the attack
The attack on the US consulate in Benghazi was planned by Al Qaeda, with the main objective being the kidnapping of Ambassador Stevens. The mastermind behind this plan was Ibrahim Al-Bana of AQAP, who was based in Afghanistan. There was a separate attack on the CIA annex led by a terrorist named Wissam bin Hamid, which was not part of Al Qaeda's plan. He took advantage of the chaos and attacked the annex. Both attacks had different motivations and execution.
Challenges in the Benghazi Committee
Joining the Benghazi committee was a mixed experience. Being the only CIA representative, there were challenges in the committee, especially from the Democratic side. They believed that I had knowledge of non-existent covert action operations and that I was hired to cover it up. However, the committee allowed me to work after initial turmoil. Overall, working in Congress showed that it lacks significant influence and often produces well-written reports, but lacks the power to enforce change.
The significance of the Benghazi attackers
Analyzing the attackers involved in the Benghazi attacks, it is important to note the distinction between Al Qaeda's planned attack on the consulate, led by Ibrahim Al-Bana, and the separate attack on the CIA annex by Wissam bin Hamid. The attackers were well-trained terrorists with connections to Al Qaeda and an extensive history of involvement in previous conflicts, such as the Algerian Civil War. It is crucial to understand their motivations and the complex network of terrorist organizations they were associated with.
Al Qaeda's global reach
Al Qaeda's presence extends globally, with clandestine officers operating in numerous countries. They have established networks, connections, and a financial structure that enables their operations. While it is difficult to compare them directly to cartels in terms of finances, Al Qaeda's reach and influence across regions make them a significant global force. Other groups, such as ISIS, aspire to be like Al Qaeda, but Al Qaeda remains the dominant force in the global terrorism landscape.
ISIS vs. Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan
The podcast discusses the rivalry between ISIS and al-Qaeda, with ISIS being portrayed as a lesser threat compared to al-Qaeda. The speaker suggests that the focus on ISIS in Afghanistan is due to a narrative that the Taliban is the counter-terrorism partner, deflecting attention from the fact that the Taliban is working with al-Qaeda. The US government's claim that ISIS is a bigger threat than al-Qaeda is disputed, leading to frustration and concerns about misinformation.
The Benghazi Attack and Terrorist Connections
The podcast delves into the Benghazi attack and highlights overlooked details regarding the involvement of al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations. The speaker reveals that one of the attackers, Mustafa al-Imam, was not a high-level operative and questions why low-level perpetrators such as Ahmed Abu Kattala and Mustafa al-Imam were the only ones apprehended and put on trial. The existence of other known senior Benghazi attackers remains unaddressed. The speaker also expresses concerns over the lack of information gathering on terrorists and the media's perpetuation of false narratives.
This episode is a follow up to our investigation into the Benghazi attacks with Mark Geist. Sarah Adams is a former CIA Targeter with a wealth of experience leading intelligence initiatives during the Global War on Terror.
In part two, Adams exposes what was happening Stateside during the Benghazi attacks while U.S. Service Members were fighting for their lives. Shawn and Sarah discuss what measures could have been taken that night to provide support to the CIA Annex team on the ground. This episode brings the United States' strategy full circle with an often overlooked part of the puzzle–the intelligence that informs the strikes.
