While the devastating images of the 9/11 attacks are seared into our national collective memory, most of the events that led up to that day took place out of public view. "Blindspot: The Road to 9/11" brings to light the decade-long “shadow struggle” that preceded the attacks. Hosted by WNYC reporter Jim O’Grady, this 2-hour special draws on interviews with a range of sources — including CIA agents, security experts, and people who knew the terrorists personally — and weaves them together with original reporting to create a gripping, narrative audio experience.
We follow the story of Emad Salem, an Egyptian-born civilian who infiltrated a terrorist cell in New Jersey — he is considered by some to be one of the most successful undercover operatives in the history of the FBI. Other voices in the program include: former CIA director Leon Panetta, former US Attorney Mary Jo White, writer Steve Coll, and journalists John Miller and Peter Bergen. We also hear from extremists in their own words.
"Blindspot: The Road to 9/11" is based on a 9-part podcast of the same name. It is a co-production of The HISTORY Channel and WNYC Studios; it draws on material from HISTORY’s television documentary "Road to 9/11" (produced by Left/Right) as well as original reporting by WNYC.
Listen Sunday, September 5 at 7 p.m. on WRVO, on-air and online. Please note: This is a two-hour special, "Big Picture Science" will not air on this date.
