Watch The Race Against Time: The CIA and 9/11

The Race Against Time: The CIA and 9/11 is a gripping two-hour special documentary presented by CBS. It takes the audience on a journey that reveals the crucial role the CIA played in the lead-up to the 9/11 terror attacks, as well as the intelligence failures that allowed them to occur.

Through a combination of interviews with key CIA agents who were involved with efforts to track Osama Bin Laden, archival footage, and expert commentary, the documentary offers a comprehensive account of the events leading up to 9/11. The film takes a deep dive into the CIA's efforts to carry out surveillance on Al Qaeda and Bin Laden, even as they struggled to convince higher-ups in the government of the gravity of the threat.

But perhaps the most striking aspect of this documentary is the way it portrays the shadowy, clandestine world of intelligence gathering. Through interviews with former CIA agents and analysts, viewers get an inside look at the intricate web of informants, wiretaps, and other tools used by the agency to track suspected terrorists. They also get a sense of the often-frustrating bureaucratic roadblocks agents faced, as they tried to get their warnings and intelligence reports taken seriously.

One of the most interesting aspects of this documentary is its nuanced portrayal of the tension between the CIA and other government agencies. The film highlights how the CIA was often operating in its own bubble – pursuing its own intelligence leads and carrying out its own covert operations – even as other agencies were working on their own counter-terrorism strategies. The result was a lack of coordination and communication that ultimately allowed the 9/11 attacks to take place.

However, the documentary also shows how the CIA responded in the aftermath of the attacks. It reveals how within hours of the planes hitting the Twin Towers, the agency had already begun to pivot their operations towards tracking down those responsible. As the investigation continued, the CIA worked closely with other agencies to piece together the complex network of terrorists and supporters behind the plot. This led to a series of successful counter-terrorism operations, including the capture of dozens of high-ranking Al Qaeda members.

Overall, The Race Against Time: The CIA and 9/11 is a powerful, thought-provoking exploration of the events leading up to one of the most devastating attacks on American soil. It offers a unique perspective on the role intelligence gathering plays in preventing acts of terrorism, as well as the challenges that come with it. It's a must-see for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of counter-terrorism efforts in the modern world.