The Team House
5 Tours Abroad as a CIA Officer | Michele Rigby Assad | Ep. 322
Jan 15, 2025
Michele Rigby Assad, a former CIA operations officer specializing in counterterrorism and lie detection, shares fascinating insights from her decade-long career in the CIA. She recounts the rigorous training for high-stakes deployments and the cultural challenges she faced in the Middle East. Michele discusses the unintended consequences of U.S. de-Ba'athification in Iraq and her harrowing experience facilitating an airlift for persecuted Iraqi Christians amid the ISIS crisis. She emphasizes the importance of language and cultural understanding in intelligence work.
01:38:08
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Quick takeaways
- Michele Rigby-Assad's diverse experiences, including missionary trips, fueled her passion for cultural understanding, shaping her CIA career trajectory.
- Her rigorous training at 'The Farm' not only equipped her with critical intelligence skills but also tested her mental resilience in high-pressure situations.
Deep dives
The Journey to the CIA
Michelle Rigby-Assad's early life and experiences shaped her desire to pursue a career with the CIA. Growing up in rural Florida, her perspective expanded significantly after participating in missionary trips to Egypt and Israel, sparking an interest in understanding other cultures. This foundational experience led her to earn a master's degree in Arab Studies from Georgetown University, which eventually drew the attention of the CIA recruiters. Her unique background in culture, combined with her educational qualifications, positioned her perfectly for the rigorous training and challenges that lay ahead.
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