The Spy Who Lived Inside Al-Qaeda | The Struggle Within | 2

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0:14Please be advised, this episode contains depictions of drug use.

0:23September 2009, Shukra, Yemen. Danish spy Morten Storm pulls his rented Hyundai into the petrol station on the edge of town. Next to him, in the passenger seat, is his wife, Fadia. Her black niqab only reveals her eyes, but it can't hide her unease. Storm attempts a reassuring smile. I just want to stretch my legs.

0:52Storm steps into the warm night. The place is quiet and the surrounding landscape inky dark. Up ahead, on a billboard, is the smiling face of Yemen's moustache. president. Past that, the road splits in two. One fork continues east along the coast. The other swings north to the country's interior, where the president's forces hold little sway. That way lies bandits, warlords, and al-Qaeda fighters. And that's where Anwar al-Awlaki wants Storm to go. Storm last saw the US-born terrorist cleric a year ago. Since then, they've both been busy. Storm's been helping his Danish, American and British spymasters infiltrate jihadi networks in Europe and East Africa.

1:49Al-Awlaki's been using YouTube to spread his message of religious violence worldwide. Now, Al-Awlaki wants a face-to-face with Storm. It's a rare invitation and too good an opportunity to refuse, but Al-Awlaki's not said why he wants to meet. Storm wonders if he's heading into a trap.

2:14Storm returns to the car and resumes his journey. As he turns north into the Badlands, he regrets bringing Fadia with him But leaving her behind would only invite questions She has no idea he's a spy As far as she knows, Storm regards Al-Awlaki as a friend and a religious teacher Storm reaches the remote spot where Al-Awlaki told him to wait for an escort to his compound In the distance, a vehicle is approaching from the north Its headlights draw closer. It's a Toyota Land Cruiser, with armed men riding on the back. Storm grasps his wife's hand. If things are about to go wrong, they'll know soon enough.

3:04An hour later, the escort delivers Storm and his wife to Al-Awlaki's high-walled compound.

3:17The jihadi cleric emerges from one of the buildings. He's wearing a camouflage jacket over his torp and has an AK-47 slung over his shoulder. My Danish friend, it's good to see you. Tell me, you found me a wife yet? Not yet, but I'm working on it. Good, because I'm never going to find another wife all the way out here. Walk with me. Al-Aulaki leads Storm into his office. Thank you for coming to see me. I have something important to show you. New encryption software for our communications. The old method of leaving each other draft emails on webmail is no longer secure. You think our communications are compromised?

4:04I have no evidence, but it's a possibility. The unbelievers know I'm a threat. You know, just the other day, a brother visited me. Mohamed Usman. He said he knows you. Yes. He stayed with us in Sana 'a. Well, he's suspicious of you. Really? Yes. He thinks you work for British intelligence. Of course he had nothing to support such a ridiculous accusation. Storm cracks a smile. Well, he won't be staying with us again. Storm hopes his laughter will put this to rest. But out here, distrust can have fatal consequences. He feels Al-Awlaki's eyes studying him, sizing him up, and trying to divine whether he can still be trusted.

5:29We'll be right back.

5:34The power of a promise. Pacific Life Insurance Company, Omaha, Nebraska. And in New York, Pacific Life and Annuity, Phoenix, Arizona. I heard a rumor that the CIA poisoned my granddad. Gordon Banks, the world's number one goalkeeper. It happened in Mexico, supposedly, at the World Cup in 1970. Sounds crazy? I'm an investigative journalist on the hunt for evidence. We needed to do some extraordinary things to counter the Soviets. This is Foul Play, an unbelievable tale of sports, spies and family secrets. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts or early and ad-free on Audible.

6:15From Wondery, I'm Raza Jaffrey and this is The Spy Who. In the last episode, Danish biker Morten Storm found Islam and turned jihadi. But after losing his faith, he became a spy for the West. Now he's helping his spy masters monitor the threat from Anwar al-Awlaki, the American-born terrorist preacher who operates out of Yemen. This is episode two of The Spy Who Lived Inside Al-Qaeda, The Struggle Within.

6:53November 2009, Birmingham, England. At his home, Mawson Storm logs onto Facebook. It's been two months since he visited Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen. The radical cleric seems to have dismissed the idea that Storm is a spy. But Storm wants to shore up his trust all the same. So he's stepped up his efforts to find al-Awlaki a new wife. Al-Awlaki wants his third wife to be a white Western convert. He feels his other wives lack the maturity and education to relate to his journey from American kid to Jihadi leader. So Storm sought help from an Al-Aulahi fan page. And this morning, he got a reply from a Croat named Amina.

7:46She wants to know if Storm's in contact with Al-Aulahi. He checks her profile. She seems real enough. Yes, I am in contact with the Sheikh. Amina replies moments later. Do you know the Sheikh personally? If so, may I be so liberal as to ask you something? Yes, I know him. Feel free to ask. I emailed him and proposed marriage. I do not know how silly that is, but now I am in contact with you. Maybe you could recommend me. Storm sits up. This is promising. Tell me, why do you wish to marry the sheikh? I'm seeking a way out of Croatia and a husband who will teach me and who I can help. I deeply respect him and all he does for the umma.

8:47You would be wife number three. He has two already, but they don't stay with him. You will stay with him all the time. You should expect hardship and moving from place to place while taking care of your duties as a wife. Be patient with all that you will see and face as he may be exposed to danger. And Allah is our protector. Can you accept this? Storm hit send. Five minutes pass. And ten. He wonders if his reality check has put Amina off. But then she replies. I would go anywhere with him. I am ready for dangerous things. I am not afraid of death. I didn't know he has two wives already, but I do not mind at all.

9:43I want to help him in his work. I am good at housekeeping. Storm leans back in his chair. He's found Al-Aulaki's new bride.

10:00One month later, Denmark. In a hotel suite in Copenhagen, Storm briefs his handlers on Amina while nursing a bottle of Carlsberg. She's 32, blonde, describes herself as attractive and says people think she's in her mid-twenties. Never married, no kids. She could ensure Al-Awlaki trusts me. We could also use her to locate him. Storm's CIA handler Jed breaks into a broad smile. Yeah, I like that thinking. If we plant a satellite transponder in a makeup box... Or a suitcase? Even better. Storm's Danish handler Klang joins in. I agree. A suitcase is the ideal Trojan horse. Al-Olaji's always on the move.

10:42There's little chance she'll leave her suitcase behind. Everyone turns to look at Storm's British handler, Kevin. He looks unimpressed Jed scowls What? While the plan is achievable We're talking about sending a naive, vulnerable woman Into a volatile country to live with a terrorist I believe Morton shares our concerns Jed spins round to face Storm That true? Well, I wouldn't want it to become I don't know Collateral damage in a drone strike Kevin looks at Jed See? Oh, come on. Will you all stop with this bleeding heart bullcrap? Anwar al-Awlaki is instigating mass murder on our nation's soil, or have you already forgotten what just happened in Fort Hood?

11:31Fort Hood is a US Army base in Texas. Last month, a Muslim major radicalized by al-Awlaki went on a rampage. He shot 13 people dead and left more than 30 injured. Jed started to pace the room. The mood music in Washington's changed. Al Aulaki is to be found and dealt with And Amina can lead us right to him Kevin crosses his arms And if she's with him when you launch a drone strike? We need eyes on Al Aulaki She need not die Somehow, I doubt you'd miss your shot just to spare her Kevin looks at Klang Hoping for backup from Danish intelligence Doesn't Danish law prohibit PET from participating in assassinations?

12:16Klang says nothing Jed cuts in. I want to hear from Morton. He knows the risks better than all of us, and Amina is his asset. Morton, what do you want to do? All eyes in the room focus on Storm. He drains his beer, then replies. I'm going to tell Al-Awlaki I have found him a wife. He might still reject her, and we can always cancel the operation before she goes to Yemen. If we want.

12:43A few weeks later, Edinburgh, Scotland. In a restaurant on the Royal Mile, Storm stares at the unfamiliar meal on his plate. On it, next to some mashed potato and swede, is a clump of dark grey. Storm's MI5 handler, Kevin, leans forward. Just taste it. It's a Scottish tradition. Storm forks some of the haggis into his mouth. Mmm. It's okay. Peppery and nutty. So what is it? Offal and oats Sheep heart Lungs Suits Oatmeal Storm Pulls a grossed out face As his handler laughs to himself Alright, you got me But I've eaten worse Okay, enough What's really going on? I appreciate the tour of Scotland And these free meals But nothing is ever really free Okay, right you are We wanted to show we appreciate you But I also need to talk to you about Amina What about her?

13:43We're not comfortable with with what the Americans want to do with her. Our job is to gather intelligence, not arrange assassinations. We don't think we should help her get to Yemen, so much for the special relationship. Morton, we can't offer you the money they can, but what we can promise is we will take care of you. We do not like this plan, and we do not want to see you get screwed over. So please, think about it, okay?

14:18A few weeks later, Reykjavik, Iceland. Storm is on another all-expenses-paid trip. But this time, he's with his Danish handlers, and the CIA is paying the tab. They've spent the day lazing in the geothermal spa waters of the Blue Lagoon. Now they're back in Storm's five-star hotel suite, and Storm wants advice. The Brits don't want me to help Amina get to Yemen. They asked me to stop the operation. PET officer Clang looks concerned. They did? Yeah. Took me on a tour of Scotland to try and convince me not to. And I get the sense the CIA are paying for this trip to get me to go through with it. Well, what are you thinking?

15:04About Amina? I don't know. Al-Awlaki needs to be stopped. And that follower of his tried to blow up that passenger plane. I've got no doubts about that. But Amina, I'm torn. I understand. Which way are you leaning? I hoped you might advise me. Oh, um, okay, well, uh, if I were you, I'd go with the Americans. Yeah? Yeah, they'd be much more fun and more money, too. I heard they'll pay you a retainer of£2 ,600 a month. Storm's eyes widen. Ever since he quit the Bandido's biker gang, he's been either broke or about to go broke. Being a jihadi is poorly paid, and he gets just£900 a month from the Danes for his spying.

15:53Clang leans closer. Also, and I'm not supposed to tell you this, so act surprised when Jed tells you, there'll be a bonus if the mission with Amina goes well. A bonus? How much? Clang smiles and leans back into his seat. I don't know, but it'll be big.

16:20Two months later, Birmingham Airport, England. Storm collects his boarding pass and passport from the check-in assistant and heads for the security gate. He's about to fly to Copenhagen to meet with the CIA and Danish intelligence. The operation to get Amina to Al-Awlaki is gathering speed. Al-Awlaki is smitten with his new European bride. Amina remains resolute in her desire to marry him. And the CIA is preparing a transponder to plant in her suitcase. A storm nears security. His phone rings. It's Kevin, his MI5 handler. Kevin, can I call you back? I know where you are, Morton, and I know where you're going to.

17:05Oh. Don't get on that plane. Jed's expecting me. Morton, if you get on that plane, our work together is over. Really? Yes. We enjoyed working with you and we achieved a lot, but this operation crosses a line. We cannot be part of it. If you get on that plane, this is our goodbye. Storm hesitates. He looks towards the security gates. then to the automatic doors that lead out of the airport. He picks up his bag and heads for the gates.

17:52Spring 2010, Vienna, Austria. In a McDonald's restaurant, Mawson Storm sits at a table, cradling a cup of coffee. Sitting opposite is Amina. She's now just a few days away from going to Yemen to become Anwar al-Awlaki's wife. She's wearing a hijab, and there's a vulnerability in the way she carries herself. Storm ignores it. He's got a mission to do. He hands her a thick envelope. Inside is$3 ,000 in cash provided by the CIA. Not that he can tell her that. The money was raised by our brothers in England to help you. Your plane tickets are there too. You fly to Istanbul first. Only then to Yemen.

18:39That will raise less suspicion. And when I reach Sana 'a? Go to the address I gave you. The people there will look after you until someone comes to collect you. How long will that take? That is for God to decide. Maybe as long as a month. Finally, there is this. Storm pushes a mid-sized suitcase towards Amina. It's a new Samsonite case, but hidden within its hard grey shell is a transponder that would allow the CIA to track its every move. To ensure Amina takes it, Storm asked Al-Aulahi to specify what kind of case she should bring. But Amina looks disappointed by it. I might not be able to fit all I hoped in this.

19:21The sheikh himself requested this very case. If there are items you have to leave behind, let me know and I will try to bring them when I visit. Amina pulls the case towards her. Storm notices her hand is trembling. She looks at him. I don't know how I will ever pay you back. You've done so much for me. May Allah reward you. Then she leaves, wheeling her new suitcase behind her. The suitcase that will lead the CIA right to Al-Aulahi's doorstep

19:58One month later, Copenhagen, Denmark Morten Storm waits in the lobby of the Crown Blase Hotel Amina and the suitcase arrived in Yemen a few days ago And while she waits in Sana 'a for her escort to Al-Aulahi Storm's ready to collect his bonus Storm's Danish handler, Klang, enters the lobby He's carrying a slim black briefcase And it's handcuffed to his wrist He gestures for Storm to follow Storm joins him at the elevators After reaching a room on an upper floor Klang places the briefcase on the table in front of Storm Guess the code Storm looks at the three-number combination lock Klang smiles 007 Storm opens the lock Lifts the lid and gasps Inside is a quarter of a million dollars in bundles of hundred dollar bills Clang grins Congratulations Morton, how does it feel to be rich?

21:08Storm stares at the money, then at Clang How am I supposed to deposit all this cash in the bank? That, Morton, is your problem.

21:24A few days later, Birmingham, England. At his home, Storm opens his laptop and inserts the USB stick Al-Aulahi gave him on his last visit to Yemen. On it is the encryption program he and Al-Aulaki now use to keep their email communications secure. Storm copies and pastes the jumble of characters from Al-Aulaki's latest email into the program and watches as they are decrypted before his eyes. He reads Al-Aulaki's letter with relief. Amina is now with Al-Aulaki and he is delighted with his new wife. There's also a message from Amina. She says everything went to plan, except that the people who came to collect her made her leave her electronics and her suitcase behind.

22:19Storm stares at the words, hoping they might disappear. But they don't. The suitcase and its hidden tracker never made it to Al-Awlaki. Storm wonders what this means. Is this just Al-Awlaki being careful? Or did Storm's questions about what suitcase Amina should bring raise suspicions? Did Al-Awlaki's people discover the transponder? And what will the CIA say when it learns it paid Storm a fortune for a failed mission?

23:00The next day, Sana 'a, Yemen. In the lodgings where Amina stayed before being taken to Al-Awlaki, a CIA informant checks the coast is clear. The informant's mission is to locate a grey, hardtop, Samsonite suitcase. The CIA want to know if it's still at the lodgings and still intact The informant's also been warned this could be a trap Seeing no one, the informant enters the room where Amina stayed The abandoned suitcase is there, standing in the corner of the room And there's no sign of significant damage As instructed, the informant leaves the case right where it is An hour later, the informant relays this information to the CIA It's confirmation that the suitcase transponder went undiscovered And that Storm's cover is intact But it also confirms that the mission to use Amina to locate Al-Aulahi has failed

24:20June 2010, Barcelona, Spain In a secluded gated villa, three officers from the Danish intelligence service PET are throwing a private party to mark the end of their latest debrief with Morten Storm. Young women in chiffon dresses and high heels top up their champagne flutes. PET officer Clang raises his glass. To Morton! To Morton! Storm forces a half-hearted smile. He's not in the party mood. As the PET officers drink, he stares into space. The Amina operation was a disaster. First, the British dumped him. Now, the CIA has too. The Americans suspect Storm of playing them. Storm understands why.

25:11Al-Aulahi got a wife. Storm got a quarter of a million dollars. The CIA got zilch. But his Danish handlers don't seem to care. They're too busy getting drunk and pairing up with the escorts. Storm watches one of the PET officers follow one of the women to her bedroom. A woman's voice interrupts his thoughts. Hi there, I'm Olya. Storm looks at her, but he doesn't see her face. Instead, he sees Amina, the woman he turned into a terrorist's bride. He feels guilt, but it's too late now.

25:52Olea takes Storm by the hand and leads him to her bedroom. As she closes the door behind them, Storm snaps out of his stupor. Sorry, I can't sleep with you, I'm married. Alea's face sags Oh, do you want to talk? No, I'd rather get a high, is that possible? Alea looks relieved She gets a vial of white powder from a secret compartment behind an oil painting Storm watches her tap out a line Then bends over to snort it The door bursts open It's Clang, and he looks horrified Morton, what the hell are you doing? You can't do that I'm doing exactly what it looks like I'm doing No, no, not with us here.

26:35You can't, we're part of the police. Storm frowns. Fuck you. I'm only abusing myself. You're the ones hooking up with women who are probably sex trafficking victims. I screw you, Morton. Clang barges past a layer and out of the room. First the British, then the Americans. Now, Storm's burning bridges with Danish intelligence too. He glances at the half-finished line of cocaine on the table and thinks. Fuck it.

27:11May 2011. Almost a year later. Hornbeck, Denmark. In a holiday villa next to a tree-lined lake, Storm is having a reunion with PET and the CIA. He feared it'd be awkward. Instead, CIA officer Jed is in a buoyant mood. And that's because today, US Special Forces killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. This is a great day, Morton. Osama's worm food. And now, we're talking again. Yeah. Congratulations on getting him. Thank you. Been a long time coming. PET Officer Klang interjects. Of course, with bin Laden dead, that means al-Awlaki is now America's top target, doesn't it? Damn right. And Morton.