Watch Declassified: Untold Stories of American Spies

Declassified: Untold Stories of American Spies is a documentary television show that premiered on CNN in 2016. The show uncovers some of the most gripping and secretive spy operations in America's history, detailing the missions of CIA and FBI agents who risked their lives for their country.

The series features interviews with former CIA agents, government officials, and other key individuals who were involved in these operations, providing an unusual insider perspective on the events that unfolded. The series also features reenactments and dramatizations of the events, adding a layer of additional realism to the stories.

Seth Zielicke, David Ibrahim, and Dan Watson are the three presenters of the show. They guide viewers through the otherwise complex and technical themes of espionage, using easily digestible explanations. Seth Zielicke is a longtime executive producer for CNN, known for his work on news and feature programming. David Ibrahim is a Middle East analyst and documentary filmmaker. Dan Watson is a CNN national security analyst and former U.S. Navy SEAL.

Each episode focuses on one spy operation, ranging from events such as the hunt for Saddam Hussein to the war against the drug cartel in Colombia. The show covers the major events and summarizes years of investigation, making complex historical events accessible to the audience in a rapid and entertaining way.

The real fascination of Declassified is not simply the unraveling of individual events but the broader context and implications of these clandestine operations. Rather than painting them in a bright light as national heroes, the show does a remarkable job revealing the controversies around many of these CIA missions. For instance, the first episode of Declassified covers the Benghazi incident, shedding light on the extensive planning that went into the attack, the reaction of the agents involved, and the controversies that followed.

Another episode highlights the deception that led to Saddam Hussein's eventual capture, revealing the machinations and people behind the scenes that made it possible. The show also examines the technical aspects of these spy operations, such as the technology used and the logistics required to carry out successful operations.

Throughout Declassified, audiences are exposed to the dark realities of espionage- including the ethical and moral ambiguities faced by CIA and FBI agents—including the violation of human rights by the U.S. government. The show also examines the role of intelligence operations in foreign policy and diplomatic relations.

Declassified is essential viewing for anyone with an interest in spy craft and intelligence operations. The show succeeds in providing a unique insider view of the high-risk, high-stakes business of spying, while also delving into the political and ethical implications of these missions. The show illuminates how continuous ethical violations by the U.S. government have a maximum impact on its own citizens. At times, the revelations can also leave viewers shocked, such as an operation in which the U.S. government targeted a Pakistani man with a drone, resulting in the deaths of his wife and son.

Declassified: Untold Stories of American Spies is a gripping and informative look at the reality of one of the United States government's most notorious organizations, the CIA. The show brings viewers an unprecedented level of insight regarding the operations and tactics of the CIA and FBI, from the small scale to the epic, as well as the potentially catastrophic consequences of clandestine missions gone awry. Combining interviews, dramatic reenactments, and archival footage, Declassified risks providing more illumination to the documentation of a most taboo-level US office.

Declassified: Untold Stories of American Spies is a series that ran for 3 seasons (22 episodes) between June 19, 2016 and on CNN