Den of Spies

1. Reagan's Rise Rooted in a Treasonous Act

If these charges were true, the entire Reagan-Bush era—indeed, modern conservatism in the United States—had been born out of a treasonous covert operation.

Hostage Crisis Exploitation. The book alleges that the Reagan-Bush campaign secretly negotiated with Iran to delay the release of American hostages until after the 1980 election, thereby undermining President Carter's chances of reelection. This act, if true, would constitute treason and cast a dark shadow over the Reagan era.

Carter's Vulnerability. The hostage crisis was a major political liability for Carter, and the Republicans allegedly exploited this vulnerability by promising Iran a better deal than Carter could offer. This involved sending weapons to Iran in exchange for prolonging the captivity of the hostages.

A Nation Fooled. The book argues that the American public was effectively deceived, allowing a treasonous act to pave the way for a new era of conservatism. This deception highlights the fragility of democracy and the potential for covert operations to manipulate public opinion.

2. Casey's Web: A Master Spy's Network of Deceit

So I’ve undertaken the task of telling what happened, how, and why—a spy story from real life that played an enormous role in contemporary American history.

Casey's Expertise. William Casey, Reagan's campaign manager and later CIA director, was a master of covert operations, having honed his skills during World War II. He possessed an extensive network of contacts in the intelligence community, arms dealing world, and financial sector.

A Network of Operatives. Casey's network included arms dealers, corrupt bankers, rogue intelligence operatives, and even members of the Carter administration. This network allowed him to conduct secret negotiations and facilitate illegal arms shipments.

Compartmentalization and Deniability. Casey operated in a highly compartmentalized manner, ensuring that no single individual knew the full scope of the operation. This allowed him to maintain deniability and protect the Reagan campaign from exposure.

3. The October Surprise: A Conspiracy in Plain Sight

The hardest thing to prove,” Bill Casey later said, “is something that is self-evident.

The Self-Evident Anomaly. The book argues that the October Surprise was, in many ways, a conspiracy in plain sight. The timing of the hostage release, mere minutes after Reagan's inauguration, was highly suspicious and suggested a pre-arranged agreement.

A Magic Trick. The author compares Casey's operation to a magician's sleight of hand, skillfully diverting attention from the obvious. The American public, like an audience of children, was easily fooled by the illusion.

The Onion's Take. The satirical newspaper The Onion captured the essence of the situation with its headline: "Hostages Released; Reagan Urges American People Not to Put Two and Two Together." This highlights the absurdity of the situation and the deliberate effort to obscure the truth.

4. Dubious Sources and Murky Truths

There is no ‘smoking gun’ and I cannot prove exactly what happened at each stage. In the absence of hard documentary evidence, the possibility of an elaborate disinformation campaign cannot be excluded.

A World of Deception. The investigation into the October Surprise was complicated by the fact that many of the key sources were spies, arms dealers, and other individuals with a history of deception. Separating fact from fiction was a daunting task.

Ben-Menashe's Enigmatic Role. Ari Ben-Menashe, a former Israeli intelligence officer, provided valuable information about the October Surprise, but his credibility was questionable. He was a known liar and often exaggerated his own role.

The Challenge of Corroboration. Despite the challenges, the author sought to corroborate Ben-Menashe's claims with other sources and documentary evidence. This involved piecing together fragments of information from various individuals and organizations.

5. The Unraveling: How the Truth Was Suppressed

So I’ve undertaken the task of telling what happened, how, and why—a spy story from real life that played an enormous role in contemporary American history.

Media Complicity. The book alleges that certain media outlets, such as Newsweek and The New Republic, actively worked to discredit the October Surprise story. This involved publishing articles that downplayed the evidence and attacked the credibility of key sources.

The Power of Access Journalism. The author argues that access journalism, the practice of cultivating close relationships with powerful figures in exchange for information, played a role in the suppression of the truth. Journalists were reluctant to bite the hand that fed them.

The Death of Danny Casolaro. The mysterious death of Danny Casolaro, a freelance journalist investigating the October Surprise, added a layer of paranoia to the story. While his death was ruled a suicide, many believed he was murdered to silence him.

6. The Haunting Echoes of a Stolen Election

Compared to the October Surprise, Watergate was an innocent child’s frolic.

A Legacy of Distrust. The October Surprise, if true, would represent a profound betrayal of the American people and a grave threat to democracy. It would also explain the deep-seated distrust that many Americans feel towards their government.

The Seeds of Iran-Contra. The book suggests that the October Surprise was the origin story of the Iran-Contra scandal, another covert operation involving illegal arms sales to Iran. Both scandals were overseen by William Casey and involved secret agreements with hostile foreign powers.

A Pattern of Deception. The October Surprise, if true, would be part of a larger pattern of deception and manipulation by the Republican Party. This pattern includes the Watergate scandal, the Iran-Contra affair, and other controversial events.

7. The Iranian Perspective: A Creeping Coup

That was a very dirty thing to do—using the hostages as a weapon to help Reagan win the election.

Bani-Sadr's Account. Former Iranian President Abolhassan Bani-Sadr claimed that he was approached by representatives of the Reagan campaign who offered Iran a better deal than Carter could provide. He also said that he was threatened with "elimination" if he refused to cooperate.

Khomeini's Role. Bani-Sadr believed that Ayatollah Khomeini, the Supreme Leader of Iran, was aware of and approved the secret negotiations with the Republicans. This betrayal led to a falling out between Bani-Sadr and Khomeini.

The Creeping Coup. Bani-Sadr described the events as a "creeping coup" in which the hardline mullahs gradually consolidated power and eliminated any opposition. This ultimately led to Bani-Sadr's impeachment, exile, and the execution of many of his supporters.

8. The Price of Denial: A Legacy of Distorted History

If we are to survive as a democracy, it’s vital to understand what happened all those years ago.

The Importance of Truth. The book argues that it is essential for Americans to confront the truth about the October Surprise, even if it is uncomfortable or challenges their preconceived notions. Only by acknowledging the past can we prevent similar events from happening in the future.

A Call for Accountability. The book calls for a thorough and independent investigation into the October Surprise. This investigation should examine the role of William Casey, George H. W. Bush, and other key figures.

Protecting Democracy. The book concludes that the October Surprise, if true, represents a grave threat to democracy. It is a reminder that freedom is not guaranteed and that citizens must be vigilant in defending their rights and holding their leaders accountable.

Last updated: April 10, 2025