The Looming Tower

Follow the rivalry between the counter-terrorism divisions of the FBI and CIA, which may have inadvertently led to the tragedy of 9/11. In episode 101, FBI agent John O’Neill and a rookie Muslim-American agent, Ali Soufan, press the CIA for information.

Following the simultaneous embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, the FBI begins its investigation on the ground while the CIA starts working on a retaliation plan.

The FBI finds one of the surviving terrorists and discovers a game changing lead in Nairobi, while the CIA’s retaliation plan is approved.

Continuing to keep information from the FBI, Schmidt is fired from Alec Station. Diane makes an important discovery regarding the phone number Owhali gave Chesney. O’Neill searches for solace as his personal and professional lives crumble before him.

The CIA and FBI are on high alert as threats surrounding the new millennium abound. O’Neill and Soufan raid an AQ cell in Brooklyn. The CIA continues to hide vital information from the FBI while they track suspicious individuals entering the U.S.

Vince continues asking for permission to share Mihdhar’s visa with the FBI. O’Neill faces an investigation into his handling of classified materials. A boy, radicalized after the CIA’s retaliation attack, starts his own martyrdom journey.

O’Neill and Soufan travel to Yemen to begin the investigation into the bombing of the U.S.S. Cole. The FBI becomes aware of a meeting in Malaysia and of Khallad, without knowing the CIA has been aware of both of those things for months.

Everyone adjusts to a new president and, with it, a shift in threat priority. Soufan learns the importance of UBL’s bodyguard. O’Neill is denied re-entry into Yemen and forced to resign. The terrorists in the US are lost by their U.S. handler.

The CIA becomes aware that Hazmi and Mihdhar are gone and must relay that to the FBI. O’Neill accepts a job as head of security at the World Trade Center. Soufan is sent back to Yemen. Hazmi, Mihdhar and Atta head to Vegas for a final indulgence.

September 11, 2001 and no one can get a hold of O’Neill. Soufan’s evacuation from Yemen stops short as the CIA Station Chief gives him all the answers he has been asking for. Schmidt is reinstated into Alec Station. Soufan finally interrogates Abu Jandal.