The ultimate insider in the world of espionage: 24-year CIA veteran Ric Prado has spent his life at the heart of the intelligence world as an Operations Officer through the end of the Cold War and the advent of the Age of Terrorism. After serving around the world, he was assigned to the Bin Laden Task Force and then led the Counterterrorism Unit, creating the special task force to combat terrorism post 9-11. In this episode, Ric lays out the challenge of stopping terrorist groups before they strike and how even after the disaster of 9/11, leaders and the intelligence bureaucracy still often err on the side of caution rather than preemptive action.

In his book “Black Ops,” Ric shares his personal story growing up as a Cuban refugee, entering the military, rising to the upper echelons of U.S. intelligence and even earning the CIA’s highest honor, a CIA Distinguished Career Medal. His life is a kickass example of the American dream. 

Heroes Behind Headlines
Executive Producer Ralph Pezzullo
Produced & Engineered by Mike Dawson
Music provided by ExtremeMusic.com