Meet Kari Amelung, Inspiration for Homeland (Full Episode) | Inside the CIA | National Geographic

Kari Amelung, a CIA officer, recounts a harrowing experience during her second assignment in the Middle East amidst the tense atmosphere of the Gulf War. Her mission was to recruit spies and steal critical information, a task fraught with danger where mistakes could have life-or-death consequences. Kari's initial entry into the CIA was unconventional, with no website to guide her expectations. Her training, however, proved invaluable. Glenn Corn, a retired CIA officer and instructor at "the Farm," emphasizes the rigorous training in espionage, counterintelligence, and surveillance, likening it to a "high school diploma in espionage," with field experience leading to higher degrees. Robert Richer, Deputy Chief of Station where Kari was posted, recognized her exceptional capabilities early on, having reviewed her prior assignments and trained with her. Kari's first assignment was at the end of the Cold War, where as a young, female American, she leveraged her demographic to gain access to diplomatic receptions, befriending individuals to meet her targets and "work the crowd." This involved a double life of deception and relationship building, a common necessity in espionage. Upon arriving at her second assignment at age 25, Kari felt prepared despite the inherent nervousness. The geopolitical climate was highly charged due to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, leading to the US-led Desert Storm operation. The host country, while an ally in principle, had internal divisions and a less than supportive stance towards the US efforts, necessitating continued intelligence gathering on their intentions. The CIA station was undergoing a turnover, and Kari arrived shortly before the new Chief of Station, Pat. Kari was likely the first female Operations Officer in that country, and Pat was the first female Chief of Station in that region. This presented unique challenges, as the host country's intelligence services were unaccustomed to dealing with female leaders. The general anti-American sentiment, fueled by protests at the US embassy, made the environment particularly hostile for Western women, especially those working alone at night. Harassment, including physical intimidation and acid-filled eggs thrown at cars, was common. Kari was tasked with taking over an asset from Frank, a departing case officer. This handover was crucial for cementing the relationship with the asset, who had long-term access to sensitive government documents. The asset was in a precarious position, facing severe penalties, including execution, if caught. The safety of the asset was paramount. The planned meeting with the asset in his apartment raised immediate red flags for Kari, as it deviated from standard operational procedure due to the inherent risks of being seen by neighbors or the public. Despite these concerns, Kari and Frank proceeded with the meeting, taking extensive precautions, including surveillance detection routes. They believed they were unobserved as they entered the building and the asset's apartment. However, upon entering the apartment, the situation rapidly deteriorated. A loud thud signaled an intrusion, and approximately six individuals burst in, accusing them of being spies. While Kari attempted to gather incriminating evidence and money into her bag, the intruders photographed them and began yelling. Frank and Kari were apprehended and marched out, their destination unknown. During this stressful ordeal, Kari drew upon her training to maintain control. She was taken to a stark interrogation cell. The intruders demanded her bag, and Kari resisted, invoking diplomatic immunity under the Geneva Convention, though she suspected it might not apply. Her resistance intensified when they attempted to pry the bag from her. In the cell, Kari reflected on her training, focusing on what she knew and what she could learn from their actions. The lack of immediate physical brutality suggested that capturing her was not their primary objective. She also considered her strategy, fearing any statement could be used against the asset. Her cover as a diplomat, with an official ID in her bag, became her primary defense. The interrogator eventually entered, asking for her name despite knowing her identity from her ID. Kari refused to answer until she could speak to the US Ambassador, a stalemate that lasted for hours. During this time, she remembered a piece of water-soluble paper in her pocket containing an encrypted phone number for another asset. The potential discovery of this paper weighed heavily on her. Needing to dispose of the paper, Kari requested to use the restroom. She was taken to a rudimentary facility, but the guard insisted on accompanying her. To gain privacy, she made a scene. Upon entering the stall, she discovered it lacked water. In a desperate move, she urinated on the paper, successfully dissolving it. This small victory, a crucial element taught in training to regain a sense of control, was a significant personal triumph. Meanwhile, Frank had not returned, raising alarm for his wife and the station. The Deputy Chief of the Internal Service of the host country summoned Rob and the Chief of Station. They were lectured about their actions and the embarrassment caused. The interrogator, upon seeing Kari, expressed surprise, suggesting they expected someone else. Kari and Frank were eventually reunited and marched out into the night. They were taken to a conference room where they met Rob and the interrogator, who was revealed to be a high-ranking official. After a lengthy lecture about their transgressions, Kari was given 24 hours to leave the country, and Frank a few days. They were fortunate to be expelled rather than facing more severe consequences. Following the incident, Kari, Frank, and Rob debriefed to piece together what happened. They concluded the operation was a planned setup, evidenced by the immediate charges of espionage and the disappearance of the asset. The key question became why Rob was contacted instead of the Chief of Station and why they were surprised to see Kari. The prevailing theory was that the host country believed they had captured the Chief of Station, a significant intelligence coup. It was later revealed that the asset had been coerced into working for the host country's intelligence service after his wife reported his clandestine meetings. He was caught taking documents and forced to betray Kari and Frank. He ultimately went to jail. Upon returning to Washington, Kari faced uncertainty about her career. However, her Chief of Division reassured her, and Rob had already proactively shaped the narrative of the event to Washington, ensuring the incident was handled appropriately. This support was deeply appreciated by Kari, who saw it as a testament to Rob's character. Kari continued her CIA career, eventually becoming Chief of Station multiple times, carrying the lessons learned from this experience. Glenn Corn and Robert Richer emphasize the high-risk, high-reward nature of espionage, where success in disrupting threats and protecting national security provides immense personal satisfaction. Kari expresses pride in her career dedicated to making the world a safer place.