Former CIA Officer Reviews Counterterrorism Portrayals in Film and TV

Hollywood often misrepresents counterterrorism, but some films accurately depict the dangers and complexities of the field.

### CIA Officer Rates Counterterrorism Scenes in Movies

* 🎬 Former CIA officer John Kiriakou reviews counterterrorism scenes from various movies and TV shows, rating their realism.
* 🔫 He notes that most CIA officers don't routinely carry weapons, contrary to common movie portrayals.  Exceptions include high-threat locations like **Pakistan** and **Athens**.
* 👤 The portrayal of "lone wolf" terrorists is deemed realistic, citing **Carlos the Jackal** as an example.  Attacks on public transportation are also considered plausible due to infrastructural vulnerabilities.
* 🧪 The depiction of intelligence agencies searching for chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons is accurate, as is the risk of dangerous meetings with double agents.
* 💥 The portrayal of a suicide attack at Camp Chapman is realistic, though the scale is exaggerated; such attacks remain a constant threat.
* 🏠 The depiction of the Osama bin Laden raid is rated highly for accuracy, particularly the nighttime raid and the use of stealth helicopters, though the film incorrectly attributes Bin Laden's location to torture.  The film's cooperation with the CIA is criticized as potentially violating the **Espionage Act**.
* 💧 The use of "enhanced interrogation techniques," including waterboarding and sleep deprivation, is discussed, with Kiriakou emphasizing their illegality and ineffectiveness in obtaining actionable intelligence.  The film "The Report" receives a high rating for its accurate portrayal of these events.
* ✈️ Drone strikes are addressed, highlighting the unfortunate reality of civilian casualties and the lack of accountability. The film "Homeland" is praised for its realistic depiction of daily operations, despite some Hollywood embellishments.

CIA Officer Rates 9 Counterterrorism Scenes In Movies | How Real Is It? | Insider

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CIA Officer's Perspective on Counterterrorism in Film

Introduction of John Kiriakou, former CIA counterterrorism officer, and his experience.

Most CIA officers don't routinely carry weapons; exceptions are high-threat posts.

Analysis of a James Bond scene depicting a lone wolf terrorist, comparing it to real-life examples like Carlos the Jackal.

Discussion of the Aum Shinrikyo attack in Tokyo as an example of a real-life threat to public transportation.

Analysis of a Mission Impossible scene involving nerve gas, highlighting the reality of intelligence agencies searching for WMDs.

Analysis of a scene depicting a suicide attack at Camp Chapman, discussing the reality of such attacks and improvements made afterward.

Assessment of the depiction of the Osama bin Laden raid, highlighting nighttime raids and the use of stealth helicopters.

Critique of the film's portrayal of torture as a factor in locating bin Laden, emphasizing the role of data analysis.

Discussion of the importance of rapport-building in interrogations, contrasting it with the use of enhanced interrogation techniques.

Discussion of the reality of drone strikes, including accidental targeting of civilians and lack of accountability.

Analysis of a scene depicting a drone strike, highlighting the inaccuracy of the portrayal and the common occurrence of such events.

Critique of the lack of transparency and remorse regarding civilian casualties in drone strikes.

Analysis of Portrayals of Specific Terrorist Attacks

Analysis of a scene depicting the Mumbai attacks, highlighting the initial misidentification of the perpetrators and the heroic actions of hotel staff.

Analysis of a scene depicting intelligence cooperation, emphasizing the commonality of such collaborations.

Analysis of a scene depicting the Munich Olympics massacre, highlighting the accuracy of the core narrative and the embellishments.

Analysis of a scene depicting the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, discussing the events and the portrayal of the Taliban's role.

Overall Assessment and Concluding Remarks

Final assessment of *The Recruit* as a realistic portrayal of the CIA.

Critique of the unrealistic portrayal of events in the show *24*.