The Watch Floor with Sarah Adams

October 7th was not simply an intelligence failure. Israel had warning, surveillance, military power, and years of experience watching Hamas. What it lost was enough doubt about whether its own assumptions could be wrong. In this episode of The Watch Floor, I look at the lessons from October 7th that go well beyond Israel. We examine how complacency shaped intelligence assessments, how Hamas studied and attacked Israel’s dependence on technology, why warning indicators were missed, and what happened when the national response became overwhelmed and the fight turned local. I also look at

I’m doing something a little different on The Watch Floor and sharing what is currently on my reading list. I’m reading Rooftop Korean by Tony Moon now, a firsthand account of the 1992 Los Angeles riots and what happened when communities suddenly found themselves responsible for their own safety. I also have five newer releases on my radar covering Cold War counterintelligence, warning intelligence, jihadist terrorism in Spain, practical preparedness, and protective security. These are not five books I am pretending I have already read and reviewed. They are simply books that caught my attenti

On September 17, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency released its annual report on foreign efforts to acquire sensitive U.S. technology from the cleared defense industrial base. DCSA received more than 22,000 suspicious-contact reports during fiscal year 2025 and identified roughly 2,900 incidents involving foreign entities seeking U.S. information or technology. The leading method was the exploitation of experts. In this episode of The Watch Floor, I break down what that targeting can actually look like. It may begin with a consulting request, conference invitation, peer revi

Before dawn on September 24, Ecuadorian police launched a major counter-narcotics operation against a cocaine-trafficking network. More than 320 Ecuadorian police took part, but this raid was different. About 50 personnel from U.S. Southern Command and the Drug Enforcement Administration joined the operation, with images showing U.S. personnel wearing Marine Raider insignia. In this episode of The Watch Floor, I break down why that matters, what the U.S. brought to the operation, and how the American role in Ecuador appears to be changing. We look at the raids in Samborondón and other areas, t

The FBI is investigating a breach tied to FBIJobs.gov and the possible exposure of employee personally identifiable information. Hackers connected to ShinyHunters claim they stole terabytes of data covering current and former FBI personnel, applicants, medical information, background investigations, and other sensitive systems. Some of those claims remain unverified. But reporters have already reviewed thousands of records containing names, home addresses, Social Security numbers, family contacts, employee identifiers, and details pointing to sensitive FBI assignments involving China, Russia,

Utah Valley University released its independent after-action report on September 25, 2026, examining the September 10, 2025 assassination of Charlie Kirk. The report identifies a number of security failures, but the biggest lesson is broader than any single missed rooftop or breakdown in communication. In this episode of The Watch Floor, I walk through what the report says about venue selection, elevated positions, the missed joint security walkthrough, camera monitoring, mutual aid, emergency messaging and protective intelligence. The focus is not on hindsight for the sake of criticism. We lo

Writing “See something, say something” leaves out the hardest part: what are you actually looking for? In this episode of The Watch Floor, Sarah Adams explains the behaviors that can appear before an attack, from repeated surveillance and security testing to unusual questions about access, possible preparation near home or work, and warning signs at an airport. She explains why context and patterns matter, what details make a report useful, and whom to tell when something needs attention.

A Russian intelligence-linked network allegedly recruited people already inside the U.S. to surveil a prominent Russian dissident in the Washington, D.C., area. The price was up to $1,500 for photographs and videos. The offer to carry out the murder was $40,000. In this episode of The Watch Floor, Sarah Adams breaks down how the operation moved from Russia through Cuban and Venezuelan intermediaries to a Brooklyn resident, why the completed surveillance matters, and how the same network was allegedly tied to assassination and sabotage operations across Europe. The plot reveals a model that is

Artificial intelligence is moving from answering questions to taking actions. In controlled tests, advanced AI models have deceived operators, attempted blackmail, concealed information, recognized when they were being evaluated, and taken steps researchers describe as self-preservation behavior. Those findings have produced extraordinary warnings about where AI may be headed. But a warning is information. It is not a conclusion. In this episode of The Watch Floor, Sarah Adams walks through four questions: What can these systems actually do? Can we reliably control them? What is driving compan

For fourteen years, most of the Benghazi debate has focused on what happened after the attack began. This episode looks at what happened before. In May 2026, Dave “Boon” Benton and I returned to Benghazi, where we were briefed on a completed Libyan investigation into the terrorists and networks behind the 2012 attacks. One part of that investigation followed a German terrorist cell that moved from Europe through Turkey and Egypt into eastern Libya. Twenty German citizens reached Libya as part of the network. Fourteen members of the cell ultimately participated in the attacks on the U.S. Consul

Hamza bin Laden is alive. On September 10, on the eve of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, al-Qaeda released A Quarter Century After the September 11 Raids, Part One, featuring Hamza in three separate scenes. But the footage was not new. Hamza recorded it on August 13, 2021, in Kandahar, as Afghanistan was falling to the Taliban. Al-Qaeda held that footage for more than five years. In this episode of The Watch Floor, Sarah Adams breaks down what the video actually shows, the 2019 deception that led the U.S. to announce Hamza bin Laden was dead, how al-Qaeda concealed his survival and eventual rise

Twenty-five years after 9/11, the House Intelligence Committee went back and reviewed what the United States fixed, what it never finished, and where new intelligence gaps may be forming. In this episode of The Watch Floor, I break down ten of the most important warnings buried in the committee’s new bipartisan report, including unfinished biometric exit screening, counterintelligence stovepipes, the debate over CIA paramilitary authorities, the growing role of OSINT and AI, the risk of losing regional expertise, and why the next strategic surprise may look nothing like 9/11. The report’s mess

Oil is back at the center of geopolitics, but the biggest story may not be where everyone is looking. In this episode of The Watch Floor, I look at what is happening around the Strait of Hormuz, why that narrow stretch of water still matters so much to the global economy, and how the pressure on energy markets connects to a very different development much closer to home: Venezuela and its enormous oil reserves. This isn't just a story about the price of a barrel of oil. It's about who controls supply, who controls the routes that move it, how much leverage the United States actually has, and w

A massive glacial collapse along the Nepal-Tibet border has left more than 900 people dead and thousands still missing. Among the unaccounted for are approximately 85 Americans. Many weren't hikers or adventure tourists. They were pilgrims traveling to or from Mount Kailash in Tibet, one of the most sacred places in several of the world's religions. Some had planned the journey for years. One was celebrating his 60th birthday. A mother was traveling with her 14-year-old daughter. Another American sent his family a video of the Himalayan valley that morning. Less than two hours later, the glaci

Secret Chinese police stations have been uncovered in the United States, France, Italy, Britain, and dozens of other countries. But the buildings are only part of the story. In this episode of The Watch Floor, Sarah Adams looks at how Beijing extends its reach beyond China’s borders to monitor dissidents, collect information, pressure critics, and in some cases push people to return to China. From the federal prosecution of operators tied to a clandestine police station in Manhattan to recent expulsions in Italy, investigations are exposing how these networks operate. Sarah breaks down China’s

Five years after the Abbey Gate bombing, we know the name of the suicide bomber. But that is only part of the story. In this episode of The Watch Floor, Sarah Adams reconstructs the twelve days leading to the August 26, 2021 attack at Abbey Gate, tracing how the plot moved from authorization to execution and identifying the Taliban, Haqqani Network, al-Qaeda, and ISKP figures her investigation found connected to the operation. The story begins on August 14 in Kandahar province, moves through the fall of Kabul and the release of the future bomber from prison, and follows the network that select

More than 70,000 people reportedly surged toward the tiny Spanish city of Ceuta in a matter of hours, overwhelming a city with a population of roughly 85,000. So what happened? In this episode of The Watch Floor, Sarah Adams breaks down the extraordinary events in Ceuta: the Spanish court ruling that was distorted online, the role of Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, and Instagram in accelerating the movement, the warning signs authorities had before the surge, and the unanswered questions surrounding Morocco's role. Then something unexpected happened. Tens of thousands of people began going back. T

Most voters know what a candidate promises. But how many know who is standing behind them? In this episode of The Watch Floor, Sarah Adams looks beyond the campaign slogans to examine the political coalitions forming around candidates in the 2026 elections. What starts with very real concerns about rent, housing, healthcare, wages, and affordability leads to a larger question: who else sees an opportunity in the political coalition those issues create? Following the trail from candidate endorsements to political organizing, Sarah examines the overlap between Democratic Socialists of America an

In today's episode of our series, Back to Benghazi, we'll be discussing the Libyans who came for us. Mars Men: For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://Mengotomars.com. Glacier: Join the waitlist http://theglacierapp.com/waitlist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the questions I get asked all the time is surprisingly simple: "Sarah, what watch did you wear at the CIA?" Today, I'm answering that question. Ground News: Go to https://ground.news/watch for a better way to stay informed. Subscribe through my link for 40% off unlimited access to world-wide coverage. Mars Men: For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://Mengotomars.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Over the past week, media reports have suggested that the U.S. and Iran have reached a peace deal, but in reality officials from both countries are meeting at the Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland to negotiate a lasting agreement and turn a fragile ceasefire into a more permanent settlement. Dose: New customers can save 35% on your first month of subscription by going to dosedaily.co/WATCHFLOOR or entering WATCHFLOOR at checkout Ultra Pouches: Don’t sleep on @ultrapouches. New customers get 15% Off with code WATCH at takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

In today's episode of our series, Back to Benghazi, we'll be discussing what happened to Ambassador Chris Stevens. Go to https://ground.news/watch for a better way to stay informed. Subscribe through my link for 40% off unlimited access to world-wide coverage. Shopify: Start your business today with the industry’s best business partner, Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/watch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we’re talking about Adam Hamawy, the Democratic nominee for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District, and this is not going to be a fluffy political episode. Ground News: Go to https://ground.news/watch for a better way to stay informed. Subscribe through my link for 40% off unlimited access to world-wide coverage. Mars Men: For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://Mengotomars.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While Chinese migrant crossings have dropped sharply since their 2021–2024 surge, the smuggling routes, facilitators, and infrastructure built during that period remain in place—making the network itself the more important story in 2026. Mars Men: For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://Mengotomars.com. Bubs Naturals: Live Better Longer with BUBS Naturals. For A limited time get 20% Off your entire order with code WATCH at Bubsnaturals.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's episode of our series, Back to Benghazi, we'll be discussing what happened at the CIA Annex. Fatty15: Fatty15 is on a mission to support Healthy Aging for All, including all ages and stages of life. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/FLOOR and using code FLOOR at checkout. Bubs Natural: Live Better Longer with BUBS Naturals. For A limited time get 20% Off your entire order with code WATCH at Bubsnaturals.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A former senior CIA official's arrest over hundreds of gold bars, millions in cash, and allegedly fabricated credentials reveals a deeper story about trust, accountability, and why every organization has a small percentage of people who believe the rules don't apply to them. Pocket Hose: Text WATCH to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Informat

Ebola is back in the headlines, and anytime Americans hear that word, the reaction is often fear. But this episode is about facts: what's happening right now in Africa, what the numbers actually show, how this compares to the last time Ebola reached U.S. soil, and what has changed since 2014. OneSkin: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code WATCH at https://www.oneskin.co/WATCH #oneskinpod Dose: New customers can save 35% on your first month of subscription by going to dosedaily.co/WATCHFLOOR or entering WATCHFLOOR at checkout Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In May 2026, Dave “Boon” Benton and I returned to Benghazi. Fourteen years after the attacks on the U.S. Consulate and CIA Annex, we went back to the city where history, politics, terrorism, and war collided in one of the most consequential attacks on Americans since 9/11. Here is Episode 1 of our 13-part series. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code WATCH at https://www.oneskin.co/WATCH #oneskinpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

China is attempting one of the most complex geopolitical balancing acts in modern statecraft. Let’s talk about it. Ultra Pouches: Don’t sleep on @ultrapouches. New customers get 15% Off with code WATCH at takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today’s episode, we break down the Raúl Castro indictment, the mounting pressure inside Cuba, and why migration, Florida politics, and great-power competition are reshaping the future of U.S.–Cuba strategy. Get Mindful Sparkling Water By Shawn Ryan Here: https://www.amazon.com/Sparkling-Carbonated-Electrolytes-Sweeteners-Unflavored/dp/B0FPT6YPXX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, we’re breaking down the San Diego mosque shooting, the rise of accelerationist extremism, and why intelligence experts believe this decentralized online movement could become one of the biggest counterterrorism threats of the next decade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New details are emerging about the alleged assassination plot targeting Ivanka Trump, including IRGC ties, surveillance plans, and a blueprint of her Florida home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we’re looking at the threat environment surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and from a security perspective, it could become one of the most complex civilian protection operations in modern history. Dose: New customers can save 35% on your first month of subscription by going to dosedaily.co/WATCHFLOOR or entering WATCHFLOOR at checkout. Pocket Hose: Text WATCH to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may a

Finally, the Trump administration put out a counterterrorism strategy. Don’t get too hopeful about it, though — it’s a disaster. Shopify: Start your business today with the industry’s best business partner, Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/watch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Would you recognize if someone was trying to use you to collect information? Because in many of the cases we’re going to walk through today, the people involved didn’t think of themselves as part of an intelligence operation until it was too late. Bubs Natural: Live Better Longer with BUBS Naturals. For A limited time get 20% Off your entire order with code WATCH at Bubsnaturals.com Fatty15: Fatty15 is on a mission to support Healthy Aging for All, including all ages and stages of life. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/FLOOR and

Federal agents boarded multiple cruise ships in San Diego during a sweeping operation targeting predators, exposing how modern digital crime investigations now span international crews, multinational law enforcement, and hidden online networks. Fabric: Go to https://meetfabric.com/WATCH and apply today, risk-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

America's power grid is more vulnerable than most people realize — and in this episode, we break down the real threats facing the system, from weather events and ransomware attacks to Chinese supply chain dependencies that could make a catastrophic failure nearly impossible to recover from. Mars Men: For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at Mengotomars.com Pocket Hose: Text WATCH to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing

What if the most important battlefield in the U.S.-Iran confrontation is not in the Persian Gulf, not in the Strait of Hormuz, and not even at the negotiating table? What if the real battlefield is perception? Let’s talk about it. Blueprint: For a limited time only, our listeners get 20% off + free shipping at https://blueprint.bryanjohnson.com by using code WATCH at checkout. Mars Men: For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at Mengotomars.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recent reporting suggests ISIS has reactivated its central war planning structure at the same time thousands of experienced detainees have reportedly been released or escaped from Syrian facilities, raising serious concerns that ISIS may not just be surviving, but rebuilding its operational capability. OneSkin: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code WATCH at https://www.oneskin.co/WATCH Dose: New customers can save 35% on your first month of subscription by going to dosedaily.co/WATCHFLOOR or entering WATCHFLOOR at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, we’re going to walk through how to start an investigation by outlining the steps Dave Benton and I took during our Benghazi investigation. Ridge Wallet: Upgrade your wallet today! Get 10% Off @Ridge with code FLOOR at https://www.Ridge.com/FLOOR Pocket Hose: Text WATCH to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Information. No purchase requi

Today's episode breaks down how online networks systematically identify and target vulnerable children, and what parents need to know to recognize and stop it before it starts. Pocket Hose: Text WATCH to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Information. No purchase required. Terms apply, available at PocketHose.com/terms. Learn more about your ad

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI and ChatGPT after reviewing chat logs tied to a mass shooting at Florida State University. Today, we’re breaking it down: what actually happened, how AI has already been used in real crimes, and whether an AI has a duty to warn if someone says they’re about to harm someone. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code WATCH at https://www.oneskin.co/watch #oneskinpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In light of the 15th anniversary of Osama's death, today's episode examines the next generation of the bin Laden family and their evolving role within the broader terrorist ecosystem. Yes, they are at the top of the jihadist food chain. Ultra Pouches: Don’t sleep on @ultrapouches. New customers get 15% Off with code WATCH at https://takeultra.com ! Superpower: Head to Superpower.com and use code WATCH at checkout for $20 off your membership. Unlock your new health intelligence. 100+ biomarkers. Every year. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpod Learn more about your ad choic

Today’s episode explores how undisclosed personal choices can turn into national security risks, and why for those with top secret clearance the real question isn’t wrongdoing—it’s vulnerability to compromise. UpWellness: 👉 Hydrate your liver at the cellular level with LTV If you’re tired, bloated, or feel like water isn’t working, this could be the solution. 🔥 Get up to 64% OFF for a limited time and visit http://drinkltv.com/Watch Pocket Hose: Text WATCH to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring au

Go to https://meetfabric.com/WATCH and apply today, risk-free Everyone is talking about the aftermath of the attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner: the response, the security questions, and what failed in the moment. Today, instead of focusing on the attack itself, we’re looking at what comes before it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is reportedly considering a plan to relocate Afghan allies who supported the U.S. war effort to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Let's talk about it. Pocket Hose: Text WATCH to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Information. No purchase required. Terms apply, available at PocketHose.com/terms. Ultra Pouches: Don’t sleep on @ul

Scammers are running coordinated, highly sophisticated campaigns that target trust, emotion, and routine. Here’s how they choose victims and quietly drain life savings. OneSkin: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code WATCH at https://www.oneskin.co/WATCH Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The world isn’t facing one crisis. It’s facing many at once. Together, they’re creating something far more dangerous. Let's talk about it. Dose: New customers can save 35% on your first month of subscription by going to dosedaily.co/WATCHFLOOR or entering WATCHFLOOR at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I worked on Capitol Hill from 2015 to 2017. I’m not speaking as an outsider looking in. I’m speaking as someone who saw how the system operates from the inside—how it protects itself, how it manages risk, and how accountability often comes after the fact, if it comes at all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recently, an Army counterintelligence awareness graphic circulated reminding personnel to report terrorism. Those are absolutely things we want people to report, but there’s a problem with it. Fabric: Go to https://meetfabric.com/WATCH and apply today, risk-free Dose: New customers can save 35% on your first month of subscription by going to dosedaily.co/WATCHFLOOR or entering WATCHFLOOR at checkout Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices