Robert Baer

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Books and Media Work

Baer has written several acclaimed books, focusing on topics like Middle Eastern politics, CIA operations, and global terrorism. Notably, his works Sleeping with the Devil and See No Evil served as the basis for the Academy Award-winning film Syriana, in which George Clooney portrayed a character inspired by Baer. His literary work balances firsthand operational knowledge with geopolitical analysis, making him a regular contributor to intelligence and foreign policy discourse.

Quick Facts

Birth Date
1 Jul, 1952
Age
67 yrs
Citizenship
United States of America
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Birth Place
Los Angeles
Gender
Male
Description
American CIA case officer and author
Net Worth 2021
2 million

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Selected for this profile

In addition to writing, Baer has produced several documentaries for Channel 4 in the United Kingdom. His film Cult of the Suicide Bomber II was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2006. These productions further established his credentials as a public intellectual on intelligence and terrorism.

Involvement During the Gulf War

During the Gulf War, Baer was briefly tasked with organizing opposition to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. However, he was later recalled and questioned by the FBI regarding alleged involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate the Iraqi leader, a claim that was ultimately unproven. In 1995, he also urged the U.S. government to support internal Iraqi efforts to overthrow Saddam.

Views on Intelligence and Terrorism

Baer has expressed evolving views on key incidents in the history of international terrorism. For example, he initially attributed the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command (PFLP-GC). However, he has since publicly stated his belief that Iran played a central role in the attack, aligning with some alternative intelligence assessments. His nuanced perspective continues to contribute to ongoing debates in the intelligence community.


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Last Modified: Nov 16 2025

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