The President's Daily Brief
PDB Special Bulletin: Mike Baker's Top 5 Covert Operations in Modern History
Sep 22, 2024
Mike Baker, a former covert CIA officer, shares his expertise on clandestine operations, detailing his captivating list of the Top 5 covert strategies in modern history. He discusses Operation Ajax, the CIA-backed coup in Iran, which shaped U.S. foreign policy. The daring Operation Entebbe emerges as a dramatic hostage rescue. Baker also unravels intriguing covert projects like Operation Paperclip, and Operation Bodyguard, which significantly impacted WWII by deceiving German forces. Prepare for a rollercoaster of espionage and strategic brilliance!
15:50
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Quick takeaways
- Mike Baker discusses the ethical complexities surrounding Operation Paperclip, highlighting the moral dilemmas of employing former Nazi scientists for U.S. advancements.
- The podcast emphasizes the effectiveness of Operation Entebbe as a pivotal counter-terrorism mission that showcased Israel's commitment to protecting its citizens.
Deep dives
Operation Ajax and Its Impact on Iran
Operation Ajax was a covert mission conducted in 1953 by the United States and the United Kingdom, aimed at overthrowing Iran's elected Prime Minister, Mohammed Mossadegh. Mossadegh's nationalization of the Iranian oil industry had angered Western powers, prompting concerns over Soviet influence during the Cold War. The operation, led by CIA officer Kermit Roosevelt Jr., involved extensive propaganda, bribery, and mobilization of local forces, culminating in a coup that reinstated the Shah of Iran. While successful in the short term, this operation laid the groundwork for long-term resentment and mistrust between Iran and the West, contributing to the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
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