When I was at the CIA I asked my civilian advisory board to tackle some tough questions. Among the toughest: In a political culture that every day demands more transparency and more public accountability from every aspect of national life,… — Michael Hayden Copy Share Image
There's this movie, 'Zero Dark Thirty' about the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Some have complained that too many 'secrets' were dished out by the intelligence and special operations communities to director Kathryn Bigelow, screenwriter Mark Boal and their crew,… — Michael Hayden Copy Share Image
I used to have a little saying I used when people said, 'What are your priorities?' I'd give them a bit of government alphabet… — Michael Hayden Copy Share Image
The use of these techniques against these terrorists made us safer. It really did work. — Michael Hayden Copy Share Image
Despite a campaign that was based on a very powerful promise of transparency, President Obama, and again in my view quite correctly, has used… — Michael Hayden Copy Share Image
An intelligence analyst may attribute an attack to al Qaeda, whereas a policy maker could opt for the more general 'extremist.' — Michael Hayden Copy Share Image
This program has been successful in detecting and preventing attacks inside the United States. — Michael Hayden Copy Share Image
Global security can be formed or threatened by heads of state whose wisdom, folly and obsessions shape global events. But often it is the… — Michael Hayden Copy Share Image
For all of its well-deserved reputation for pragmatism, American popular culture frequently nurtures or at least tolerates preposterous views and theories. Witness the 9/11… — Michael Hayden Copy Share Image
I told them that free people always had to decide where to draw the line between their liberty and their security. I noted that… — Michael Hayden Copy Share Image
When asked if I miss being in government, I usually try to lighten the moment by responding that I awake most days, read the… — Michael Hayden Copy Share Image
Right after 9/11, I mean, every agency can give their own gradation, but a nice, popular rule of thumb is everybody doubled down. I… — Michael Hayden Copy Share Image
My literal responsibility as director of the CIA with regard to covert action was to inform the Congress - not to seek their approval;… — Michael Hayden Copy Share Image
I'm a career Air Force officer. We have a saying in the Air Force: 'If you want people to be with you at the… — Michael Hayden Copy Share Image
