Undaunted Summary

“What price would you pay to uphold democracy and fight for the values you hold dear?” John O. Brennan’s life and career offer a resounding answer.

1. Early influences shaped Brennan's career in intelligence

Brennan's upbringing in a blue-collar family in New Jersey laid the groundwork for his career in intelligence. With a father who emigrated from Ireland in search of a better life, Brennan grew up witnessing resilience and hard work. To make ends meet as a child, he took on various jobs — delivering newspapers, stocking grocery shelves, and delivering pharmacy prescriptions. This early exposure to responsibility built his character and resourcefulness.

As a child, Brennan found inspiration in stories of American history, particularly in the life of Nathan Hale, the Revolutionary War spy. His curiosity about spying and intelligence took root here. At his Catholic school, he was encouraged by a teacher to think critically and question assumptions, a principle that would feature prominently in his later career as a CIA analyst.

Brennan’s fascination with the broader world was further fueled by his exposure to new cultures in early adulthood. A trip to Jakarta and a study exchange in Cairo sparked his interest in international relations, laying the foundation for his future focus on Middle Eastern politics and intelligence work.

Examples

• Brennan learned resilience from working odd jobs during his youth.
• He was influenced by Nathan Hale’s story, inspiring his dream of becoming a spy.
• Travels to Indonesia and Egypt deepened his understanding of diplomacy and geopolitics.

2. A difficult path into the CIA

Brennan’s journey to the CIA started unexpectedly when he spotted a job ad in the New York Times. After applying, he was encouraged to finish his graduate studies first. He studied international politics and national security, broadening his knowledge of the Middle East. Impatient with academia, Brennan applied early, eager for challenges.

The CIA selection process was rigorous, involving exhaustive vetting, interviews, and polygraph tests. During one test, Brennan admitted that he had protested partisanship by casting a vote for a Communist Party candidate, a confession that unnerved him. However, the examiner reassured him that this wouldn’t affect his application because it was his democratic right.

Eventually, Brennan landed the role of an analyst specializing in the Middle East, where he began working on complex and sensitive global issues. His willingness to probe controversial areas showed his drive to contribute meaningfully.

Examples

• Brennan’s graduate studies emphasized security and Middle Eastern politics.
• The polygraph incident highlighted the CIA’s focus on ethical selection over ideology.
• He earned his first assignment as an analyst in the Office of Near Eastern and South Asian Analysis.

3. Building expertise in counterterrorism

The 1980s and 1990s marked years of accelerated growth for Brennan within the CIA. One pivotal assignment was a two-year rotation in Saudi Arabia, where he encountered the realities of political reporting and embassy operations. These years also tested his personal life as his wife, Kathy, had to adjust to strict gender roles in Saudi society.

Back in the United States, Brennan began climbing the ranks. His role as the main writer for an intelligence report on the Iran-Iraq War positioned him as an expert in the Middle East. Working in the CIA’s Issues Branch and Counterterrorism Center exposed him to global crises, including Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait.

Brennan advanced to briefing two US presidents, bringing critical intelligence directly into the Oval Office. His ability to distill and present information paved the way for deep trust within government leadership.

Examples

• During his Saudi rotation, Brennan honed his understanding of diplomacy and intelligence briefing.
• Drafting the Iran-Iraq War report exhibited his assessment and analytical skills.
• He briefed Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton on key Mideast and counterterrorism concerns.

4. Reshaping intelligence after 9/11

The September 11 attacks profoundly changed the CIA and Brennan’s career. As chief of staff to then-CIA Director George Tenet, Brennan was deeply involved in the discussions that redefined counterterrorism strategies and intelligence reform.

One program, the Rendition, Detention, and Interrogation system, stirred controversy due to its use of coercive methods like waterboarding. Despite his personal discomfort, Brennan did not speak out against it, a decision he reflects on with regret. This program has since become a defining issue in CIA ethics debates.

President George W. Bush tasked Brennan with creating the National Counterterrorism Center, a role unlike anything he had undertaken before. He successfully built a multi-agency framework designed to share intelligence and counter future attacks.

Examples

• Witnessing 9/11 firsthand catalyzed Brennan’s involvement in counterterrorism.
• His connection to the RDI program remained controversial and divisive.
• Brennan co-created the National Counterterrorism Center to integrate intelligence efforts.

5. Obama's presidency brought Brennan back into public service

Impressed by Barack Obama’s idealistic vision during the 2008 campaign, Brennan offered his expertise as a national security consultant. Post-election, Brennan was tapped to work in the Obama administration as Deputy National Security Advisor after withdrawing from CIA director consideration.

Brennan became Obama’s counterterrorism liaison, advising on issues like drone strikes and global security threats. The domestic and international challenges he navigated included pandemic responses and averting terrorism.

One of his major roles was overseeing intelligence related to Osama Bin Laden. Collaborating closely with intelligence officials, Brennan helped track Bin Laden to his hideout, watching the operation’s conclusion during a tense Situation Room briefing.

Examples

• Brennan inspired action after Obama’s primary victory speech in 2008.
• He assumed leadership during health crises such as the H1N1 pandemic.
• His role in the hunt for Bin Laden showcased his administrative capability.

6. Modernizing the CIA

As CIA director, Brennan identified inefficiencies and limitations requiring reform. He restructured the agency into mission-based centers that integrated specialized skills under one umbrella, improving their ability to tackle dynamic threats.

Brennan championed the creation of the Directorate of Digital Innovation to stay ahead in cybersecurity and digital intelligence, ensuring the CIA remained tech-savvy. He also sought to make the agency more inclusive by addressing workplace barriers for women and minorities.

Lastly, he aimed to align the agency’s ethics with democratic principles, denouncing disinformation campaigns and emphasizing truthfulness as a cornerstone of CIA policy.

Examples

• Brennan’s restructuring mapped resources to problems with greater precision.
• The digital directorate signified a leap into 21st-century intelligence methods.
• Diversity initiatives showcased his commitment to equal opportunity.

7. Contending with the legacy of torture and interrogation

As director, Brennan inherited the shadow of the discredited RDI program. Senate investigations scrutinized the CIA, leading to tension with key government figures. A misunderstanding involving Senate emails escalated into allegations against the CIA for spying on the committee, further complicating Brennan’s work.

Brennan did his best to mend the perception of the CIA while acknowledging past transgressions. Despite his public apologies, the narrative surrounding supposed spying eroded trust between parts of the government and the agency.

Examples

• Senate inquiries into the RDI program put the CIA under the public microscope.
• The accidental access to Senate committee emails sparked controversy.
• Brennan’s apologies tried to bridge worsening tensions over ethical failures.

8. Clashing with Russia

Brennan’s dealings with Russian officials exposed years of political friction. At professional meetings, he confronted Russian actions, including election interference, spreading disinformation, and targeting Syrian opposition leaders with military force.

He also flagged Putin’s clear interest in supporting Donald Trump’s presidency, suspecting it stemmed from personal animosities against Hillary Clinton. Brennan’s predictions of further meddling by Russia often proved correct as authoritarianism increasingly defined geopolitical relationships.

Examples

• Brennan rebuked the FSB leader over attacks targeting US nationals in Russia.
• He documented Russia’s efforts to influence public opinion during the 2016 US election.
• Russia’s unfulfilled ceasefire agreements in Syria worsened conflicts.

9. Taking a stand against Trump

Brennan sacrificed a low-profile retirement to speak out against Trump, beginning with criticism of the president’s self-serving speech at CIA headquarters. Over time, Brennan became one of Trump’s most vocal detractors, calling him out for undermining democratic values.

This commitment, however, came with sacrifices. Brennan lost financial opportunities, endured public insults, and faced unprecedented obstruction, such as being barred access to his official records from the CIA.

Examples

• Trump’s inappropriate statements at the CIA Memorial Wall drew Brennan’s ire.
• Brennan critiqued Trump’s firing of officials he deemed “disloyal.”
• Denial of access to his records broke a CIA tradition for former directors.

Takeaways

1. Speak out against what you believe is wrong, even when it carries personal risks.
2. Rethink organizational structures to match evolving circumstances and priorities.
3. Cultivate diversity of thought and experience in institutions to unlock their full potential.