Institute of World Politics | In-Person Event

About the Lecture: America is reeling – Al-Qaeda has struck, and thousands are dead. The country scrambles to respond, but the Pentagon has no plan for Afghanistan – where Osama bin Laden masterminded the attack and is protected by the Taliban. Instead, the CIA steps forward to spearhead the war.

Eight CIA officers are dropped into the mountains of northern Afghanistan on October 17, 2001. They are Team Alpha, an eclectic band of linguists, tribal experts, and elite warriors: the first Americans to operate inside Taliban territory. Their covert mission is to track down Al-Qaeda and stop the terrorists from infiltrating the United States again.

Scott Spellmeyer and David Tyson were members of the 8-man Team Alpha, the first group of U.S. personnel to infiltrate into Afghanistan behind enemy lines after the 11 September 2001 al-Qaida attacks on the U.S. The two retired CIA officers will talk about the team’s deployment, including a discussion on working with Afghan warlords, conducting intelligence and combat operations against enemy forces, and the strong cooperation between the CIA and the U.S. Green Berets

Location: The Institute of World Politics 1521 16th St. NW Washington D.C. 20036 Marlatt Mansion, Commodore Barry Room