Recorded on November 9, 2023.
Over the past 40 years, the United States has executed several well-known, undercover military operations including, perhaps most famously, the raid that ended in the death of Osama bin Laden.
Michael Vickers, former Under Secretary of Defense, CIA officer, Green Beret, and legend in the intelligence community, is now sharing the inside story behind the bin Laden raid, as well as an in-depth look into several other large-scale, consequential maneuvers in which he played a central role.
Although Michael Vickers is perhaps best known as the mastermind behind the large-scale program that defeated the Soviet Army in Afghanistan, many people also recognize him as the CIA whiz from Charlie Wilson’s War. Vickers began his career as a Special Forces soldier and officer before becoming an operations officer for the CIA. He later served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, Low Intensity Conflict, and Interdependent Capabilities under President George W. Bush, and as the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence under President Barack Obama. He is also a recipient of the presidential national security medal, our nation’s highest award in intelligence.
We are excited to welcome Michael Vickers for an insider’s perspective on the historic missions of the past 40 years as shared in his new memoir By All Means Available: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy. We will also hear his insights into the greatest dangers the United States faces today, how the intelligence community is navigating these threats, and what it means for the future of our country.
