Gary Schroen

Gary Schroen (1941-2022) was a senior CIA officer who served in covert operations for over 30 years, becoming one of the agency's most experienced field operatives focused on Afghanistan and Pakistan. He gained prominence as the leader of the first CIA team deployed to Afghanistan immediately after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Schroen led Operation JAWBREAKER, a mission that established critical relationships with Northern Alliance leaders and laid the groundwork for military operations against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. His seven-member team entered Afghanistan on September 26, 2001, carrying $3 million in cash to fund local allies. Following his retirement from the CIA in 2003, Schroen authored "First In: An Insider's Account of How the CIA Spearheaded the War on Terror in Afghanistan." The book provided detailed insights into the initial CIA operations in Afghanistan and became a significant historical account of post-9/11 intelligence operations. Despite spending much of his career in classified operations, Schroen's expertise on Afghanistan and Pakistan made him a valued consultant and commentator on intelligence matters after leaving the agency. His contributions to understanding Central Asian geopolitics and counterterrorism operations remain relevant to scholars and policymakers.

Readers value Schroen's firsthand account of CIA operations in Afghanistan, particularly his detailed descriptions of tactical planning and field operations. His book "First In" receives praise for its straightforward writing style and ground-level perspective of post-9/11 intelligence work. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of CIA procedures and decision-making - Authentic portrayal of intelligence operations - Specific details about working with Afghan allies - Matter-of-fact tone without political bias What readers disliked: - Heavy focus on operational logistics over personal stories - Some repetitive passages about travel arrangements - Limited context about broader geopolitical implications Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (300+ ratings) One reader noted: "Schroen delivers facts without embellishment - exactly what you'd expect from a career intelligence officer." Another commented: "The level of detail about CIA tradecraft is unprecedented, though sometimes at the expense of narrative flow."

First In: An Insider's Account of How the CIA Spearheaded the War on Terror in Afghanistan (2005) A first-hand account of Schroen's leadership of the CIA team that entered Afghanistan immediately after 9/11 to work with the Northern Alliance against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

The Nine Lives of Pakistan: Dispatches from a Precarious State (2020) A detailed examination of Pakistan's political landscape, intelligence operations, and relationships with the U.S., drawing from Schroen's extensive experience as CIA station chief in Islamabad.

Steve Coll writes investigative journalism about Afghanistan, CIA operations, and Al-Qaeda. His books "Ghost Wars" and "Directorate S" cover similar ground to Schroen's work in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Robert Baer is a former CIA case officer who writes about intelligence operations in the Middle East. His memoirs "See No Evil" and "Sleeping with the Devil" detail CIA missions and Saudi relations.

Jason Matthews served in the CIA clandestine service and writes about espionage tradecraft and operations. His Red Sparrow trilogy incorporates real CIA techniques and procedures into his spy narratives.

Peter Bergen reports on counterterrorism, Al-Qaeda, and U.S. intelligence operations in South Asia. His books include first-hand accounts of meetings with key figures and analysis of intelligence gathering against terrorist networks.

Joby Warrick focuses on CIA operations and counterterrorism in the Middle East. His books "The Triple Agent" and "Black Flags" examine CIA activities against Al-Qaeda and ISIS.