'By All Means Available': Inside the CIA & Special Ops with Mike Vickers
Nov 29, 2023
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Mike Vickers, former Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, talks about his career in the intelligence community and special operations. He discusses his journey from being a Special Forces soldier to a national security policy maker. He highlights his experiences as a CIA operations officer during the invasion of Grenada and the role of the Soviet defeat in Afghanistan in the collapse of the Soviet Union. He also reflects on a career decision and discusses the rebuilding of al-Qaeda after 9/11 and the shift in strategies.
Utilizing all available means is crucial for accomplishing objectives in intelligence and special operations.
Success in countering al-Qaeda was achieved through a combination of factors, including increased funding, expanded coalition support, and targeted strategies.
Deep dives
Mike Vickers' book traces his evolution from operator to national security policy maker
Mike Vickers discusses his book 'By All Means Available, Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy'. His book covers his journey from being a Special Forces soldier to a CIA officer and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations. Vickers highlights successful strategies like defeating the Soviets in Afghanistan and dismantling Al Qaeda, as well as the importance of bringing all available means to accomplish objectives.
Vickers' experiences in military freefall training and backpacking nukes
Mike Vickers recounts his experience in military freefall training as a Special Forces soldier. He recalls encountering a dangerous situation due to a poorly packed rucksack during a parachute jump. Additionally, Vickers mentions a unique capability of strapping a backpack nuclear weapon to operatives during his early career.
Vickers' involvement in the Afghan covert action program in the 1980s
Mike Vickers discusses the importance of the Afghan covert action program during the Soviet invasion. He emphasizes the role of strategies like shifting the air balance, providing more sophisticated weapons, and increasing operational tempo in defeating the Soviets. Vickers credits the success to a combination of factors, including increased funding, expanded coalition support, and a change in the objective to drive the Soviets out of Afghanistan.
Vickers' work on countering al-Qaeda and the Bin Laden operation
Mike Vickers reflects on his role in countering al-Qaeda after 9/11. He discusses the rebuilding of al-Qaeda's capabilities and the need to deny them any sanctuary. Vickers describes the development of a new strategy to target the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region, involving increased drone strikes and operational tempo. He also shares his memories of the Bin Laden operation, including briefings with President Obama and the sense of closure it brought.
Michael talks with former Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Mike Vickers about his career chronicled in his new book “By All Means Available: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy."
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