The CIA’s Post-9/11 Mission with David Tyson and Toby Harnden | CSS Speaker Series

Join the Center for Security Studies for a conversation between former CIA case officer David Tyson and Toby Harnden, author of First Casualty: The Untold Story of the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11.

It’s 2001: America is reeling after 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—among them David Tyson and Mike Spann—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.

In-Person Attendance

Current Georgetown students and SSP alumni may attend in person by registering here (GU login required). Non-students will be asked to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination (including booster), or proof of a negative PCR test for those with medical or religious exemptions. Learn more about Georgetown’s visitor policies here.

Virtual Attendance

The livestream is open to the public. Register here to attend virtually. Automated live captioning will be provided on Zoom.

Accessibility

For requests for accommodations due to a disability or medical condition, contact securitystudies@georgetown.edu no later than Thursday, February 2. A good faith effort will be made to fulfill all accommodation requests.

About the Speakers

David Tyson

David Tyson retired from the CIA’s Clandestine Service in 2020 after a 25-year career. The majority of his service was overseas. Most of his postings and deployments were to Central Asia, the Caucasus region, and South Asia, where he was a Chief of Station twice. David’s linguistic expertise and recent experience in Afghanistan, having flown into the Panjshir Valley via Dushanbe in CIA Jawbreaker teams from 1999, led to him being part of Team Alpha, the first Americans sent behind enemy lines after 9/11.

David began his intelligence career as a linguist and interpreter, achieving fluency in Russian, Uzbek, Turkmen, Turkish, and Farsi/Dari. He is a recipient of CIA’s Distinguished Intelligence Cross, the Agency’s top award for valor, for his actions on November 25, 2001, and the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal. Prior to working for the Agency, David served in the U.S. Army, both enlisted and as an officer. He has a BA in International Relations and Russian Language from West Chester State University and two master’s degrees from Indiana University, one in Central Asian Studies and the other in Russian Studies. He taught Uzbek and Turkmen languages while at IU and authored several articles and books on language and culture.

Toby Harnden

Toby Harnden is a winner of the Orwell Prize for Books. A former foreign correspondent for the Sunday Times of London and the Daily Telegraph who reported from 33 countries, he specializes in terrorism and war. Born in England, Harnden was imprisoned in Zimbabwe, prosecuted in Britain for protecting confidential sources, and vindicated by a $23 million public inquiry in Ireland. A dual British and US citizen, he spent a decade as a Royal Navy officer before becoming a journalist. He holds a First Class degree in modern history from Oxford and is previously the author of Bandit Country: The IRA & South Armagh and Dead Men Risen: An Epic Story of War and Heroism in Afghanistan. Previously based in London, Belfast, Jerusalem, Baghdad, and Washington, DC, he now lives in Virginia.