Extra: The War on Terror | Then, Now, and What's Next
Summary
Retired Navy Commander Kirk Lippold, commanding officer of the USS Cole during its 2000 al-Qaeda attack, discusses the intelligence failures that led to the bombing and his chilling 9/11 experience warning the CIA just 20 minutes before the first plane hit the World Trade Center. Lippold argues that the U.S. underestimated the threat of state-sponsored terrorism, particularly from Iran and China, and criticizes the current reduction in military force structure. He advocates for rebuilding the Navy to 360-400 ships, incorporating unmanned systems, and taking a harder stance against adversari…
Topics discussed
Sponsor: JPMorgan Chase
Intro: 25th Anniversary of 9/11
Background: USS Cole Attack and Lippold's Warning
Show Introduction and Context
Recalling the USS Cole Refueling in Yemen
Intelligence Failures and Lack of Warnings
US Failure to Appreciate Al-Qaeda Threat
Sponsor: JPMorgan Chase
Iran's Decades of Attacks on US Personnel
Holding State Sponsors of Terrorism Accountable
Decline in US Military Force Size and Age
Need for Larger Navy and Forward Deployment
Role of Unmanned Systems in Future Warfare
Sponsor: JPMorgan Chase
Current Capability to Confront Iran
Political Consequences of Inaction on Iran
Lippold's 9/11 Experience at CIA Headquarters
China as a Strategic Adversary and Proxy
Personal Burden and Call for Ruthless Response
Assessing the Outcome of the War on Terror
Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts
Outro and Subscription Info
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