Annie Jacobsen

And the source is extraordinarily credible, right? If you wanted to take the position, well, that person isn't very reliable, then you have to ask yourself, Why did they have top secret clearances that are higher than any in the United States whatsoever? Because he was responsible for arming nuclear bombs. He was called the trigger man.

And the source is extraordinarily credible, right? If you wanted to take the position, well, that person isn't very reliable, then you have to ask yourself, Why did they have top secret clearances that are higher than any in the United States whatsoever? Because he was responsible for arming nuclear bombs. He was called the trigger man.

And the source is extraordinarily credible, right? If you wanted to take the position, well, that person isn't very reliable, then you have to ask yourself, Why did they have top secret clearances that are higher than any in the United States whatsoever? Because he was responsible for arming nuclear bombs. He was called the trigger man.

And by the way, he told me that I could tell the world who he was. There's a lot of details that are really dark. involving that program. And when is it appropriate, right? Well, it feels appropriate now, first of all, because you and I have been talking for several hours. So this is what is truly a long-form conversation.

And by the way, he told me that I could tell the world who he was. There's a lot of details that are really dark. involving that program. And when is it appropriate, right? Well, it feels appropriate now, first of all, because you and I have been talking for several hours. So this is what is truly a long-form conversation.

And by the way, he told me that I could tell the world who he was. There's a lot of details that are really dark. involving that program. And when is it appropriate, right? Well, it feels appropriate now, first of all, because you and I have been talking for several hours. So this is what is truly a long-form conversation.

And it's the outcome of, you know, a very long time of my reporting and also being judicious about... closing the loop on that, right? Because I do think it's important for people to know that sources have revelations.

And it's the outcome of, you know, a very long time of my reporting and also being judicious about... closing the loop on that, right? Because I do think it's important for people to know that sources have revelations.

And it's the outcome of, you know, a very long time of my reporting and also being judicious about... closing the loop on that, right? Because I do think it's important for people to know that sources have revelations.

That is open to debate. We know from the historical record that the CIA was heavily involved in assassination during the Cold War. That's non-negotiable. Even the names of the programs that were assigned to perform assassinations are fascinating and now like Eisenhower's, for example, was the Health Alteration Committee.

That is open to debate. We know from the historical record that the CIA was heavily involved in assassination during the Cold War. That's non-negotiable. Even the names of the programs that were assigned to perform assassinations are fascinating and now like Eisenhower's, for example, was the Health Alteration Committee.

That is open to debate. We know from the historical record that the CIA was heavily involved in assassination during the Cold War. That's non-negotiable. Even the names of the programs that were assigned to perform assassinations are fascinating and now like Eisenhower's, for example, was the Health Alteration Committee.

You know, then the more modern names are targeted killing, right? Executive action, targeted killing, right? I mean, drone striking is essentially assassination. And, you know, people jump up and down and say that's not true. Well... I spent quite a long time interviewing the CIA's lead counsel, John Rizzo. He died recently.

You know, then the more modern names are targeted killing, right? Executive action, targeted killing, right? I mean, drone striking is essentially assassination. And, you know, people jump up and down and say that's not true. Well... I spent quite a long time interviewing the CIA's lead counsel, John Rizzo. He died recently.

You know, then the more modern names are targeted killing, right? Executive action, targeted killing, right? I mean, drone striking is essentially assassination. And, you know, people jump up and down and say that's not true. Well... I spent quite a long time interviewing the CIA's lead counsel, John Rizzo. He died recently.

But Rizzo was very forthcoming with me, of course, never sharing classified information, but going up to the edge of what can legally be known. Rizzo was thrown under the bus by sort of the general public for – he was the fall guy for the torture campaign. The CIA calls it enhanced interrogation. And so Rizzo had this long career.

But Rizzo was very forthcoming with me, of course, never sharing classified information, but going up to the edge of what can legally be known. Rizzo was thrown under the bus by sort of the general public for – he was the fall guy for the torture campaign. The CIA calls it enhanced interrogation. And so Rizzo had this long career.

But Rizzo was very forthcoming with me, of course, never sharing classified information, but going up to the edge of what can legally be known. Rizzo was thrown under the bus by sort of the general public for – he was the fall guy for the torture campaign. The CIA calls it enhanced interrogation. And so Rizzo had this long career.

You know, he began working under the Carter administration, right, and was responsible for the torture memos, was responsible for legally making sure the president's ass was covered, and then got thrown under the bus.

You know, he began working under the Carter administration, right, and was responsible for the torture memos, was responsible for legally making sure the president's ass was covered, and then got thrown under the bus.