The President's Daily Brief - PDB Special Bulletin: Mike Baker's Top 5 Covert Operations in Modern History

Episode Date: September 22, 2024

In this special bulletin, Mike Baker reveals his list of the Top 5 covert operations in modern history. From coups and subterfuge to rescue missions that changed the course of events, Baker breaks down these incredible stories of intrigue and daring. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President’s Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin. Email: [e-mail] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Now, today, as we're occasionally want to do, we're going to provide a special edition of the PDB. And this time we're diving into the shadowy world of covert operations. It's a little shadowy. It's also a little murky, little gray. Throughout history, obviously, intelligence agencies have conducted secret missions that have at times changed the course of history. And today, I'm counting down the top five covert operations in modern history. Now, mind you, and remember, this is my list. I'm quite sure you've got your own list, right?

Everyone does, right? Everyone walks around with their own list of top five covert operations. That's perfectly normal. Anyhow, you may disagree with my list. That's fine. That's what makes the world go round. We all have opinions. Anyway, here's my list.

All right, let's get started. Enough of that. Kicking off our list at number five is what was known as Operation Ajax, and that was a covert mission that frankly changed the course of Middle Eastern history. Now, it would go back to 1953. The United States and the United Kingdom orchestrated a, well, let's call it a coup, shall we, to overthrow Iran's elected prime minister, Mohammed Mosadeh. Now, Mossadegh had angered Western powers by.

among other things, nationalizing the Iranian oil industry. Yeah, that would do it. That would do it. It previously had been under the control of the Brits for decades through the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, which today you know as BP or British Petroleum. So fearing that Iran could align itself with the Soviet Union. Remember, that was the big fear, right, along with mutual annihilation. When you go back to the 50s, it's the Cold War, right?

So fearing that Iran might align itself with the Soviet Union during the Cold War and concerned about losing access to Iranian oil, oh, well, there's that oil issue again, the CIA and MI6 decided to take action. Now, Operation Ajax was led by a CIA officer named Kermit Roosevelt Jr. And it involved extensive propaganda campaigns, possibly some bribery, and the mobilization of anti-Mossadei forces within Iran. Now, the operation also included orchestrating riots and spreading disinformation to create the appearance of widespread opposition to Mossadez government. On August 19, 1953, the coup reached its climax when the Iranian military, with the backing of the CIA and MI6, ousted Mossadeh and reinstated Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as the ruler of Iran.

And that meant that the Shah's return to power would mark the beginning of a 25-year-old. period of autocratic rule, during which he maintained close ties with the West, but faced growing internal opposition. Operation Ajax was essentially the first successful covert operation to overthrow a foreign government during the Cold War and set a precedent for future U.S. interventions. However, it also sowed the seeds of long-term resentment and mistrust between Iran and the West, contributing, of course, to the 1979 Iranian Revolution. and the strained relations that persist to this day. All right.

At number four, we have Operation Antebe, one of the most daring and successful hostage rescue missions in history. On June 27, 1976, an Air France plane en route from Tel Aviv to Paris was hijacked by two members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and external operations, PFLPEO, and two members of the German Revolutionary cells. Now, the plane was forced to land at Antebe Airport in Uganda, where the hijackers were joined by additional terrorists, and the passengers were, of course, held hostage.

Now, the hijackers demanded the release of 40 Palestinians held in Israel and 13 other detainees imprisoned in Kenya, France, Switzerland, and Germany, threatening to kill the hostages if their demands were not met. Situation was obviously extremely difficult, and Israel faced immense pressure to save the lives of its citizens. In response, Israel launched Operation in Tabay, also known as Operation Thunderbolt. The operation was meticulously planned in less than a week. Think about that, involving an elite unit of Israeli commandos, and on July 4, 1976, the commandos flew over 2,500 miles to Uganda in a bold nighttime raid. In a stunning display of precision and speed, the Israeli forces

stormed the terminal, killing all seven hijackers and 20 Ugandan soldiers, while rescuing 102 hostages. Tragically, the operation also resulted in the death of Yonatan Netanyahu. You may recognize that last name. He was the Raids commander and brother of the future Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Operation in Debe was widely hailed as a resounding success and demonstrated Israel's commitment to protecting its citizens, no matter the distance or risk involved. The mission remains a textbook example of military efficiency and courage, frankly.

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Your door, your yard, your home. With Ring, it's protected. Shop cameras, doorbells, and more at ring.com now. Coming in at number three is Operation Paperclip, one of the most controversial and far-reaching covert operations in American history. Now, launched in the aftermath of World War II, this secret program was designed to recruit German scientists, engineers, and technicians who had been instrumental in Nazi military projects, particularly those related to rocket technology and weapons development. The United States government, recognizing the strategic value of these individuals during

the emerging Cold War in the aftermath of World War II, decided to bring them to America to work on military and space programs. Despite the fact that many of these scientists had been members of the Nazi party and had worked on projects for the Third Reich, including the development of the V2 rocket, the U.S. intelligence agencies prioritize their expertise over their past affiliations. Very pragmatic way, I suppose, of looking at something. more than 1,600 German scientists and engineers were brought to the United States under Operation Paperclip, including Werner von Braun, who would later play a key role in the development of the Saturn 5 rocket that took the Apollo astronauts to the moon. The program was kept secret from the American public and even from some U.S. government officials

due to the, well, obvious ethical and moral implications of providing former Nazis with prominent positions in the American scientific community. Yeah, there's some ethical and moral implications there. Operation Paperclip not only gave the United States a significant technological edge during the Cold War, but also sparked a long-lasting debate about the ethics of recruiting former enemies to serve in key national defense roles. The operation remains a controversial chapter in American history. All right. Our number two spot goes to Operation Rath of God. Now, this is one of the most relentless manhunts in modern history.

In the aftermath of the 1972 Munich Olympics, where 11 Israeli athletes were brutally murdered by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September, Israel launched this covert operation that would span more than a decade. Orchestrated by Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, under the directive of the then Prime Minister Goldemeyer, the mission was clear, track down and eliminate those responsible for the Munich Massacre, as well as key members of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, the PLO, believed to have been involved. Mossad assembled a team of highly skilled operatives who, over the years, meticulously hunted down targets across Europe and the Middle East. They employed a range of tactics from letter bombs to precision assassinations,

often in broad daylight, sending a powerful message, those who harm Israel will not escape retribution. And one of the most infamous incidents during this operation was the Lillehammer affair in 1973, where Mossad agents mistakenly killed a Moroccan waiter in Norway, believing him to be Ali Hassan Salame, one of the masterminds behind the Munich massacre. The error caused international outrage, naturally, and was a significant setback for the operation. Despite the tragic error, Mossad continued its pursuit, eventually eliminating many of those involved in the Munich attack, including Salome in 1979. Now, if you're interested to learn more about this operation,

there is a terrific Steven Spielberg film, I believe it was from 2005, simply called Munich. And finally, at number one, we have Operation Overlord, better known as D-Day. Not loving your AT&T or T-Mobile bill? Yeah, we've been hearing that a lot. Good news. Bring your AT&T or T-Mobile bill to Verizon and we'll give you a better deal. So get away from that. fortunate phone bill and get to Verizon. Run, ride, canoe. Whatever it takes, we'll be here. Bring your AT&T or T Mobile Bill to a Verizon store today and we'll give you a better deal on the best network. A better deal. No surprises. That's Verizon. Best network based on route metrics, best overall mobile network performance U.S. second half 2025, all rights reserved. It must provide a recent consumer mobile

bill in the name of the person reguming me the deal. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions apply. This operation launched on June 6th, 1914, was the largest amphibious invasion in history and marked a pivotal turning point in World War II, obviously. While most remember the massive landings on the beaches of Normandy, Operation Overlord was far more than just a frontal assault. It was the result of meticulous and extensive covert planning and deception. One of the most crucial elements of this operation was referred to as Operation Bodyguard, which was a master class of military deception. The Allies crafted an elaborate plan to misle the Germans about the true location and the timing of the invasion. Through the use of double agents, fake radio transmissions, even inflatable

tanks and aircraft, they convinced the German high command that the main invasion would occur at Padikale, far from Normandy. The Allies even hired an actor named Emmy Clifton James to make public appearances in the guise of General Montgomery in the hopes of fooling the Germans into believing the invasion would occur via the Mediterranean. This deception caused the Germans to spread the defenses thin, which was a critical factor in the eventual success of the Normandy landings. Operation Overlord not only marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany, but it also stands as one of the greatest military feats in history, obviously a testament to the power of strategic planning, deception, and international cooperation. So those are my top five covert operations

in history. Each of these missions required incredible planning, secrecy, and braille. and their impact is still felt today. I would add one more element to any of these covert operations. I was never involved in any successful operation that didn't have an element of luck. You need a little bit of luck, sometimes a lot. But the planning, the secrecy, the bravery, undeniable. I'm Mike Baker. And until next time, stay informed.

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