The President's Book of Secrets: The Untold Story of Intelligence Briefings to America's Presidents - Free PDF Download
What is the President's Book of Secrets?
If you are interested in the inner workings of the US presidency and the intelligence community, you might have heard of a mysterious document called the President's Book of Secrets. This is not a fictional artifact from a Hollywood movie, but a real top-secret document that is delivered to the president every morning. It contains the most crucial information that the intelligence apparatus considers the president to know that day about global threats and opportunities. This document is officially known as the President's Daily Brief, or simply the Book or the PDB.
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The PDB has been a staple of presidential intelligence since John F. Kennedy's presidency in 1961. It has been distilled into a personalized daily report that reflects each president's unique and complicated relationship with the intelligence community. Some presidents have been coolly distant, even adversarial, towards their intelligence agencies, while others have found them to be among the most valuable instruments of policy and power. Some presidents have spent only a few moments (Richard Nixon) to consume the PDB, while others have devoted a healthy part of their day (George W. Bush) to it. Some presidents have considered it far and away the most important document they saw on a regular basis while commander in chief (Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush), while others have been more skeptical or indifferent about its value.
The details of most PDBs are highly classified, and will remain so for many years. But the process by which the intelligence community develops and presents the Book is a fascinating look into the operation of power at the highest levels. In this article, we will explore how the PDB is produced and delivered, what are some of the secrets revealed in it, and how you can access it for yourself.
How is the PDB produced and delivered?
The PDB is not a single document, but a collection of intelligence products that are selected, edited, and formatted according to each president's needs and preferences. The PDB is not written by one person, but by a team of intelligence analysts from various agencies who work under tight deadlines and high standards. The PDB is not delivered by mail or email, but by a specially trained intelligence officer who briefs the president face-to-face or virtually every morning.
The role of the intelligence community and the daily briefers
The intelligence community (IC) is composed of 18 different agencies that collect, analyze, and disseminate information on foreign affairs, national security, and other topics of interest to US policymakers. The IC includes well-known entities such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the National Security Agency (NSA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as well as lesser-known ones such as the Coast Guard Intelligence and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. The IC is overseen by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), who serves as the principal advisor to the president and the National Security Council on intelligence matters.
The IC is responsible for producing and delivering the PDB to the president and other senior officials. The PDB is based on the best available intelligence from all sources, including human sources, signals intelligence, imagery, open sources, and others. The PDB is not a raw collection of data, but a synthesis of analysis and judgment that provides the president with insights, assessments, and warnings on the most pressing issues of the day. The PDB is not a policy document, but a neutral and objective presentation of facts and implications that informs the president's decision making.
The PDB is delivered by a daily briefer, who is a senior intelligence officer with extensive experience and expertise in the topics covered by the Book. The daily briefer is not a messenger, but a trusted advisor who can answer questions, provide clarifications, and solicit feedback from the president. The daily briefer is not a passive observer, but an active participant who can shape the content and tone of the PDB based on the president's reactions and interests. The daily briefer is not a permanent fixture, but a rotating assignment that can change depending on the president's preferences and availability.
The challenges and opportunities of tailoring the PDB to different presidents' preferences and styles
One of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of producing and delivering the PDB is adapting it to each president's unique personality, learning style, and information needs. No two presidents are alike, and neither are their PDBs. The IC has to constantly adjust and innovate to meet the expectations and demands of each commander in chief.
Some presidents prefer to read the PDB themselves, while others like to have it read to them by their daily briefer or another aide. Some presidents want a concise summary of bullet points, while others want a detailed narrative with charts and graphs. Some presidents focus on specific regions or issues, while others want a global overview. Some presidents ask many questions and challenge the analysis, while others accept it at face value or ignore it altogether.
For example, John F. Kennedy was the first president to receive the PDB in its current form. He wanted a short and snappy document that he could read in 10 minutes or less. He liked to have maps, photos, and cartoons to illustrate the points. He was interested in topics such as Cuba, Vietnam, and nuclear weapons. He often engaged with his briefers and asked for follow-up information.
Lyndon B. Johnson, on the other hand, was not fond of reading or being briefed by intelligence officers. He preferred to have his national security advisor or his secretary of state summarize the PDB for him orally. He liked to have longer and more descriptive articles that he could skim through. He was interested in topics such as China, India, and civil rights. He rarely questioned or commented on the analysis.
Richard Nixon was distrustful of the IC and did not read the PDB himself. He delegated it to his national security advisor Henry Kissinger, who filtered and edited it before passing it on to Nixon. He liked to have analytical pieces that supported his own views and policies. He was interested in topics such as détente, Vietnamization, and Middle East peace. He often dismissed or criticized the analysis.
Gerald Ford was more receptive to the IC and read the PDB himself every morning. He liked to have concise and factual articles that he could digest quickly. He was interested in topics such as Soviet affairs, energy crisis, and domestic politics. He often praised or thanked his briefers for their work.
Jimmy Carter was an avid reader of the PDB and often spent an hour or more on it every day. He liked to have detailed and comprehensive articles that covered all aspects of an issue. He was interested in topics such as human rights, arms control, and Iran hostage crisis. He often challenged or debated with his briefers on their assumptions and conclusions.
Ronald Reagan was not a keen reader of the PDB and often relied on his wife Nancy or his national security advisor to summarize it for him orally. He liked to have simple and straightforward articles that used plain language and anecdotes. He was interested in topics such as communism, terrorism, and Star Wars program. He often joked or chatted with his briefers about unrelated matters.
The evolution of the format and content of the PDB over time
The PDB has changed significantly over the decades, reflecting the advances in technology, the changes in the international environment, and the feedback from the presidents and their advisors. The PDB has gone from being a printed document to a digital one, from being a static product to an interactive one, from being a single source of intelligence to a multi-source one.
The first PDBs were typed on paper and bound in leather folders. They were delivered by hand or by courier to the president and a few other authorized recipients. They contained only a handful of articles, usually no more than 10 pages in total. They focused mainly on political and military developments in key countries or regions. They relied mostly on human sources and signals intelligence.
The later PDBs were produced on computers and printed on paper or displayed on screens. They were delivered electronically or physically to the president and a wider circle of recipients. They contained dozens of articles, sometimes exceeding 50 pages in total. They covered a broader range of topics, including economic, social, and environmental issues. They used multiple sources of intelligence, including imagery, open sources, and others.
The current PDB is available on tablets and smartphones and can be accessed online or offline by the president and hundreds of recipients. It contains hundreds of articles, videos, podcasts, and graphics that can be customized and filtered according to each user's preferences. It covers a diverse array of topics, including cyber threats, health risks, and emerging technologies. It integrates various sources of intelligence, including geospatial, biometric, and others.
What are some of the secrets revealed in the PDB?
The PDB is not only a source of information, but also a source of influence. The PDB has shaped US national security policy and actions for more than half a century. The PDB has revealed some of the most sensitive and impactful intelligence secrets that have affected US interests and relations with other countries. The PDB has also exposed some of the most controversial and disputed intelligence judgments that have caused controversy or embarrassment for US officials. The PDB has also shared some of the most interesting and surprising intelligence tidbits that have amused or enlightened US presidents.
The most sensitive and impactful intelligence assessments and warnings that shaped US national security policy and actions
The PDB has provided the president with timely and accurate intelligence assessments and warnings that have helped him make informed decisions on matters of war and peace, diplomacy and deterrence, cooperation and confrontation. The PDB has alerted the president to imminent or potential threats to US security and interests, as well as opportunities to advance US goals and values. The PDB has also offered the president alternative courses of action and their likely consequences.
Some examples of the most sensitive and impactful intelligence secrets revealed in the PDB are:
The Cuban Missile Crisis: In October 1962, the PDB informed President Kennedy that Soviet missiles were being deployed in Cuba, posing a grave threat to US territory and allies. The PDB also provided Kennedy with photographic evidence and analysis of the missile sites and their capabilities. The PDB helped Kennedy navigate the tense standoff with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev and reach a peaceful resolution.
The Yom Kippur War: In October 1973, the PDB warned President Nixon that Egypt and Syria were planning to launch a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. The PDB also advised Nixon that Israel was considering using nuclear weapons if its conventional forces were overwhelmed. The PDB helped Nixon support Israel with military aid and diplomatic pressure to end the war.
The Iranian Revolution: In January 1979, the PDB reported that Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran was losing control of his country to a popular uprising led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a radical Islamic cleric. The PDB also predicted that Khomeini would establish an anti-American regime that would threaten US interests in the region. The PDB helped President Carter cope with the fall of a key ally and the hostage crisis that followed.
The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan: In December 1979, the PDB confirmed that Soviet troops had invaded Afghanistan to prop up a communist regime that was facing resistance from Islamic guerrillas. The PDB also assessed that this was a strategic move by Moscow to expand its influence in South Asia and challenge US interests. The PDB helped President Carter respond with economic sanctions, military aid to the guerrillas, and the boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
The End of the Cold War: In November 1989, the PDB informed President George H.W. Bush that the Berlin Wall, the symbol of the division of Europe and the world, had fallen as a result of mass protests and reforms in East Germany. The PDB also indicated that this was part of a broader collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. The PDB helped Bush manage the peaceful transition to a new world order.
The 9/11 Attacks: In August 2001, the PDB warned President George W. Bush that Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda, was determined to strike inside the US and that he had operatives in the country. The PDB also mentioned that bin Laden had previously planned to hijack airplanes as part of his attacks. The PDB failed to prevent the 9/11 attacks, but helped Bush launch the war on terror.
The Iraq War: In October 2002, the PDB stated that Iraq had continued its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs and posed a serious threat to US interests and allies. The PDB also claimed that Iraq had ties to al-Qaeda and could provide them with WMD. The PDB supported President Bush's decision to invade Iraq in 2003, but later proved to be based on faulty intelligence.
The Killing of Osama bin Laden: In May 2011, the PDB reported that US intelligence had located Osama bin Laden in a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, after years of searching. The PDB also presented President Obama with various options to capture or kill him, including a risky helicopter raid by Navy SEALs. The PDB helped Obama authorize the operation that eliminated bin Laden and avenged the 9/11 attacks.
The Iran Nuclear Deal: In July 2015, the PDB informed President Obama that Iran had agreed to a landmark deal with six world powers to limit its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The PDB also assessed that this deal would prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon for at least a decade and open up new possibilities for dialogue and cooperation. The PDB helped Obama defend the deal against domestic and international opposition.
The most controversial and disputed intelligence judgments and failures that caused controversy or embarrassment for US officials
The PDB has not always been right or reliable. The PDB has sometimes provided the president with erroneous or misleading intelligence judgments and failures that have led to poor decisions, missed opportunities, or public scandals. The PDB has sometimes been influenced by political pressure, bureaucratic rivalry, or analytical bias. The PDB has sometimes been challenged or ignored by the president or his advisors.
Some examples of the most controversial and disputed intelligence secrets revealed in the PDB are:
The Bay of Pigs Invasion: In April 1961, the PDB assured President Kennedy that a CIA-backed invasion of Cuba by Cuban exiles would succeed in overthrowing Fidel Castro's communist regime. The PDB also downplayed the risk of Soviet intervention or international condemnation. The PDB was wrong on both counts, as the invasion failed miserably and provoked a major crisis.
The Tet Offensive: In January 1968, the PDB predicted that North Vietnam and its Viet Cong allies would not launch a major offensive during the Tet holiday, as they were weakened by US military operations and pacification efforts. The PDB also suggested that South Vietnam was making progress in stabilizing its government and society. The PDB was wrong on both counts, as the communists launched a surprise attack across South Vietnam that shocked US public opinion and undermined US policy.
The Iranian Hostage Crisis: In November 1979, the PDB underestimated the threat posed by Iranian students who stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage. The PDB also overestimated the ability of President Carter to secure their release through diplomatic or military means. The PDB failed to anticipate that the hostage crisis would last for 444 days and cripple Carter's presidency.
The Challenger Disaster: In January 1986, the PDB failed to warn President Reagan that NASA's space shuttle Challenger was at risk of exploding due to faulty O-rings in its solid rocket boosters. The PDB also failed to inform Reagan that some NASA engineers had raised concerns about launching Challenger in cold weather conditions. The PDB missed an opportunity to prevent a tragedy that killed seven astronauts and stunned the nation.
stop the killing. The PDB failed to recognize that the genocide was a humanitarian catastrophe that claimed the lives of 800,000 people and destabilized the region.
The 9/11 Attacks: In August 2001, the PDB warned President George W. Bush that Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda, was determined to strike inside the US and that he had operatives in the country. The PDB also mentioned that bin Laden had previously planned to hijack airplanes as part of his attacks. The PDB failed to prevent the 9/11 attacks, as it did not specify when, where, or how the attacks would occur, and did not trigger any action by Bush or his advisors.
The Iraq War: In October 2002, the PDB stated that Iraq had continued its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs and posed a serious threat to US interests and allies. The PDB also claimed that Iraq had ties to al-Qaeda and could provide them with WMD. The PDB supported President Bush's decision to invade Iraq in 2003, but later proved to be based on faulty intelligence that was influenced by political pressure and analytical bias.
The Arab Spring: In December 2010, the PDB did not foresee that a street vendor's self-immolation in Tunisia would spark a wave of popular uprisings across the Arab world that would topple authoritarian regimes and challenge US allies and interests. The PDB also did not anticipate that some of these uprisings would turn into violent conflicts or civil wars that would create humanitarian crises and security threats. The PDB missed a chance to prepare President Obama for a historic transformation in the Middle East and North Africa.
The Russian Interference: In October 2016, the PDB reported that Russia had conducted a covert operation to interfere in the US presidential election by hacking and leaking Democratic emails, spreading disinformation and propaganda, and targeting voting systems. The PDB also assessed that Russia's goal was to undermine public faith in the US democratic process and harm Hillary Clinton's chances of winning. The PDB exposed a serious threat to US democracy and sovereignty, but also sparked a political controversy that divided the nation and haunted President Trump's presidency.
The COVID-19 Pandemic: In January 2020, the PDB warned President Trump that a novel coronavirus outbreak in China had the potential to become a global pandemic that could pose a grave risk to US public health and economy. The PDB also advised Trump to take early and decisive action to contain the virus and prepare for its impact. The PDB alerted Trump to a looming crisis that would claim millions of lives and disrupt billions of livelihoods, but also faced resistance and denial from Trump and his allies.
The most interesting and surprising int