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cover of episode True Spies Classic: Blinking Red | CIA
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Gina Bennett
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Gina Bennett: 在1993年,我撰写了一篇名为《游荡的圣战者,武装且危险》的文章,其中提到了本·拉登。我关注到从阿富汗战争返回的圣战者对美国利益构成的潜在威胁,以及本·拉登在资助和训练新战士方面的作用。我通过观察这些战士在不同地区的活动,逐渐拼凑出本·拉登的形象,意识到他是一个重要的资助者和组织者,美国需要密切关注他。我的分析表明,美国支持阿富汗圣战者并不一定能保护美国免受袭击,这些退伍军人可能在意外的地点对美国发动袭击。尽管当时阿富汗不再是美国的优先事项,但我仍然坚持我的观点,认为本·拉登是一个潜在的威胁。

Deep Dive

Chapters
Gina Bennett's career in counterterrorism, starting at the Department of State, led her to identify Osama bin Laden as a potential threat in the early 1990s. Her early reports highlighted the risks posed by the Mujahideen and Bin Laden's network.
  • Gina Bennett was the first to identify Osama bin Laden as a threat.
  • Her early reports highlighted the risks of Mujahideen veterans and Bin Laden's network.
  • She faced challenges being taken seriously in a male-dominated field.

Shownotes Transcript

In this True Spies Classic, CIA analyst Gina Bennett shows Vanessa Kirby the origins of America's most infamous enemy. Throughout the 1990s, Osama bin Laden launched a series of attacks on American interests at home and abroad. Operating in the man's world of counter-terrorism, Gina had to fight to have the threat he posed taken seriously. Would YOU trust your gut?

From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets and skills. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Gemma Newby. Produced by Tim Mansel. Music by Nick Ryan.

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