Hume Seminar Series: CIA's Jawbreaker CT Ops in Afghanistan: A Template for Success

About the Event

The lessons learned in the CIA's response to 9/11 was a high tempo focused operation against AQ and its sponsor the Taliban.  Small, experienced CIA teams worked with the local warlords to topple the Taliban as a first step to destroy AQ.  Intelligence from multiple sources was synthesized using GEOINT to provide a common view of the battlefield for all parties involved - speeding up operations agianst the enemy in a first of its kind endeavor. 

Those lessons learned can be used in future operations against terrorist groups around the world. Ken Stiles was the CTC/SO Targeter developing targets for the CIA, USMIL Special Ops, and Air Forces.

About the Speaker

Ken Stiles is an Instructional Part Time Research Faculty member with the Hume Center. Stiles also serves as a lecturer for the Department of Geography in the College of Natural Resources and Environment. His research interests include Intelligence, Imagery Analysis, GIS, Counterterrorism, Covert Operations, Counter-proliferation, and Foreign Relations.

Previously Stiles served for the CIA from 1984 to 2013 where he worked with accounts covering societal issues, the Middle East, information operations, and counterterrorism. He served in three of the four main directorates of the CIA and completed tours in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Europe, and Iraq before retiring.

Stiles earned a B.A. in History from Randolph-Macon College and a M.A. in History/Military Studies from Old Dominion University.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Sarah Downer at humecenter@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.