Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council (NSC), Counterterrorism, U.S. hostage recovery activities, special operations, counterintelligence, and human intelligence, these are just some of the topics today’s guest, Col. Christopher Costa is an expert.
Mr. Costa served as the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council (NSC). At the NSC, he was responsible for coordinating counterterrorism policy and strategy as well as U.S. hostage recovery activities. Mr. Costa had 34 years of progressive national security experience and well-documented success in strategy, policy, special operations, counterintelligence, and human intelligence, deploying on multiple contingencies and to combat operations in the Republic of Panama, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Mr. Costa's last assignment with the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) was as Program Director in the Operations Directorate. Previously, Mr. Costa served as a Department of the Navy civilian at the Naval Special Warfare Development Group – with US Navy SEALs.
Mr. Costa holds an M.A. in Strategic Intelligence from American Military University; an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College; and a B.A. from Norwich University. His military awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and two Bronze Stars. In May 2013, Mr. Costa was inducted into The Commando Hall of Honor for extraordinary and enduring service to Special Operations Forces.
In 2018, Mr. Costa joined the International Spy Museum as the Executive Director where he plays a leading role in building on its extraordinary success as a Washington attraction and speaks responsibly on current counterterrorism and intelligence issues.
In today’s episode we discuss:
· How Chris’ internship in law enforcement shaped him throughout his long and distinguished career in the military and government.
· Why he joined the Army?
· Chris gives us an overview of his career in special operations and being a military intelligence officer.
· The vital importance of our partners in foreign lands.
· Identifying threats to our country.
· What it was like being a Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council.
· The Havana Syndrome.
· His role as Executive Director of the International Spy Museum.
· “The Deed is All, Not The Glory.”
All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.
Contact Mr. Costa at the International Spy Museum!
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