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The John Batchelor Show

HEADLINE: The October Surprise: Bill Casey, Rogue Spies, and the Secret Deal to Delay Hostage Release AUTHOR: Craig Unger SUMMARY: Author Craig Unger discusses his book, Den of Spies, detailing the alleged 1980 October Surprise where Bill Casey, leading t

The John Batchelor Show

John Batchelor

Books, Society & Culture, Arts, News

4.52.8K Ratings

🗓️ 21 September 2025

⏱️ 12 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

HEADLINE: The October Surprise: Bill Casey, Rogue Spies, and the Secret Deal to Delay Hostage Release AUTHOR:Craig Unger SUMMARY: Author Craig Unger discusses his book, Den of Spies, detailing the alleged 1980 October Surprise where Bill Casey, leading the Reagan campaign, made an illegal deal with Iran to delay releasing 52 American hostages until after the election, thereby ensuring Jimmy Carter's defeat. Casey's network used arms dealers like Ari Ben-Menashe and involved Israeli intelligence.

Transcript

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0:00.0

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Visit sumup.co. UK to learn more.

0:28.0

This is CBS Eye on the World.

0:29.8

Here's John Bachelor.

0:34.5

This is CBSI on the world.

0:35.8

I'm John Bachelor.

0:39.9

I welcome my colleague of many decades, Craig Unger,

0:48.2

his new book, Den of Spies, Reagan, Carter, and the secret history of the treason that stole the White House.

0:58.0

This is October's surprise, put together, finally, after decades. Craig, congratulations. Good evening. We go immediately to the tragedy inside the tragedy. It is April 24, 1980, at a spot in the Iranian desert called

1:07.7

Desert One. There are Americans on the ground, including a rescue team.

1:16.2

And the mission is vouchsafed by the President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, and his

1:21.6

administration, waiting in the White House for word of the rescue efforts, these men will carry out.

1:30.4

Who are they aiming to rescue?

1:33.0

And what happens that day?

1:34.2

Good evening, to you, Craig.

...

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