After Action: True Stories of the Diplomatic Security Service

Just as New York City was gearing up for the annual UN General Assembly in 2016, an individual inspired by ISIS threatened the safety of the city. When the bomber’s first explosive detonated in the Chelsea district of New York, a DSS special agent leapt into action, gathering evidence that would eventually lead to the identity and capture of the Chelsea Bomber.

The athletes that are part of Team USA head to Paris to represent America and bring home the gold! While they are competing in the Games, they are considered special U.S. dignitaries, which is why DSS is there to help protect them from threats! Hear more about this unique mission, and how DSS prepared for Paris 2024.

Do you have a plan if a natural disaster strikes? Fortunately, the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal, did when a massive earthquake hit the country in April of 2015. In this episode, DSS Special Agent Dan Art describes the actions he and his colleagues took to safeguard the U.S. embassy and personnel after the disaster hit, and how they worked with multiple entities to provide humanitarian relief and medical aid, and search for victims.

In November of 2015, terrorists attacked the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali. Popular with Westerners, several Americans were staying in the hotel, including a State Department contractor. Before the morning was over, two DSS special agents rallied four other Americans to fight through smoke, bullets, and hand grenades to save as many as 18 people trapped in the chaos. Hear firsthand from the agents who saved lives that day.

One year ago, DSS special agents led the suspension of operations at the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan. Working with U.S. military entities and other partners, DSS ensured that U.S. diplomats and their families withdrew safely from the country. In this three-part series, a variety of DSS personnel discuss how they supported the evacuation of Khartoum in 2023. In episode 3, hear from a DSS special agent who supported evacuation efforts of U.S. citizens from Khartoum during the 2023 upheaval.

One year ago, DSS special agents led the suspension of operations at the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan. Working with U.S. military entities and other partners, DSS ensured that U.S. diplomats and their families withdrew safely from the country. In this three-part series, a variety of DSS personnel discuss how they supported the evacuation of Khartoum in 2023. In episode 2, a DSS special agent serving as an assistant regional security officer describes his daring expeditions throughout Khartoum as he helped transport U.S. diplomats to a safer location within the city.

One year ago, DSS special agents led the suspension of operations at the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan. Working with U.S. military entities and other partners, DSS ensured that U.S. diplomats and their families withdrew safely from the country. In this three-part series, a variety of DSS personnel discuss how they supported the evacuation of Khartoum in 2023. In episode 1, you will hear from two DSS special agents and a DSS security technical specialist who were pivotal in the withdrawal.

In this final episode of Season 1, Assistant Secretary of Diplomatic Security Gentry Smith discusses his 30-plus years with DSS, from serving twice at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo to working on the protective detail of three secretaries of State. Listen as he describes being caught in a standoff between protestors and the Burmese military, responding to the terrorist bombing of the USS Cole, and other events that helped prepare him for his leadership roles.

In this episode of DSS: After Action, Scott Brawner, founder of Concilium, Inc., discusses how his group and other faith-based organizations leverage the power of the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) when threats or crises arise overseas. Hear how he and other OSAC members working in Chad provided crucial updates to DSS during a coup attempt in 2021 and in Guatemala during a crisis.

In the concluding episode of "Operation Cinderella Story: Dismantling an International Crime Network," Special Agent Chris Swenson takes us deeper into the heart of the investigation. Swenson explains the major players involved in the international scheme and how they built upon the initial evidence seized to build a larger case that included a clientele "blacklist," electronic evidence, and wealthy business "backers."

Learn how Swenson and his team meticulously built their case, leading to the eventual takedown of this international money laundering network.