CIA Targeting Officer Reveals Terror Plots You Never Heard About | Mike Croissant

Dec 6, 2025

Mike Croissant, a former CIA analyst with 22 years of experience, discusses his fascinating career in counterterrorism. He shares gripping stories from 9/11 and his work tracking extremist threats. Listeners will learn about disrupting a NYC subway attack and dismantling Taliban financing networks. Mike also delves into the emotional impact of the Afghan withdrawal and honors WWII veterans in his book, Bombing Hitler’s Hometown. His insights on intelligence operations and personal anecdotes make for a compelling listen!

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ANECDOTE

Small-Town Kid Becomes CIA Analyst

Mike Croissant grew up fascinated by world events and languages, studied Central Eurasian studies, and published two books before joining the CIA in 1999.
He entered as an Uzbekistan political analyst and began his intelligence career just before 9/11.

INSIGHT

CIA Writes Conclusions First

CIA analytical writing favors concise, bottom-line-first structure to brief busy policymakers quickly.
Analysts compress complex problems into one-paragraph conclusions followed by compact evidence to drive decisions.

ANECDOTE

9/11 From The Central Asia Office

On 9/11 Mike was in the Central Asia office and watched events unfold after a long morning meeting about Massoud's assassination.
He recalls immediate realization they were at war and the intense fear and responsibility that followed.

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