Shivangi Sinha
The government’s pursuit of Osama bin Laden in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks was a decade-long effort to bring him to justice. Netflix’s ‘American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden’ features interviews with key figures involved in this mission. Among them is Tracy Walder, who reflected on her time with the CIA and how she navigated the shifting political landscape as a recent graduate. She specifically discussed the Battle of Tora Bora, a very important moment in the operation in which she played a very crucial role.
Tracy Walder Was a Key Figure During the Battle of Tora Bora
Tracy Schandler Walder grew up in the state of California in a family of educators and academics and had initially planned to follow the same path. At just 10 years old, she aspired to become a history teacher, but fate had different plans. As she grew up, her interest in politics grew, and while studying history at the University of Southern California, she became deeply intrigued after watching an interview with Osama bin Laden. During a college job fair, she casually approached the CIA booth without serious intent, but after just one conversation, she realized it was where she was meant to be.
In May 2000, Tracy joined the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center, where she quickly proved her capabilities. On September 10, 2001, she was transferred to The Vault—a highly secure, classified operations center within the CIA dedicated to real-time intelligence gathering and analysis. The very next day, the course of her career changed dramatically. While other teams were evacuated from the building after the attacks, she and her colleagues remained behind and immediately shifted their focus to what came next. Tracy became part of the elite group tasked with infiltrating Afghanistan and tracking down the man responsible for the attacks—Osama bin Laden.
During the Battle of Tora Bora in December 2001, Tracy played a crucial role in coordinating intelligence and making strategic calls for the attack. Initially, the operation was believed to be a success, as intelligence suggested Osama bin Laden was trapped within the cave complex. However, that belief was shattered when he was spotted alive just weeks later. Tracy spoke about the emotional toll of that moment—how frustrating and disheartening it was to come so close only to see their target slip away. She also touched upon the doubts that arose in her mind when news of civil death used to reach her. Despite all of this, she and her team had no time to dwell on their emotions, and they had to push forward.
Tracy Walder Has Experience Working With the FBI as Well
After the Battle of Tora Bora, Tracy Walder transitioned to the CIA’s Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) group, where she took on a new role that involved extensive overseas assignments. Her work took her to multiple countries, including Afghanistan, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Algeria, Morocco, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, and England. She explained that her decision to switch roles was not just professional but also deeply personal. The intensity of counterterrorism operations had become overwhelming, and she found herself carrying the emotional weight of every terrorist attack that occurred in the US, Europe, and other regions. This sense of responsibility was mentally and emotionally exhausting, and she knew she needed a change to continue serving effectively without being consumed by the burden of her work.
In May 2004, Tracy transitioned from the CIA to the FBI and became one of the first women at the time to have served in both elite agencies. At the FBI, she specialized in Chinese counterintelligence, a field that involved identifying and preventing espionage activities by foreign operatives within the United States. Reflecting on the widespread criticism the CIA faced in the aftermath of 9/11, she acknowledged that much of it was unfair. While the agency was accused of missing key warning signs, she insisted that intelligence work is far more complex than it appears from the outside. However, Tracy admitted that, at the time, she didn’t dwell on the controversy too much—she was too focused on her work and was determined to continue making an impact on national security.
Tracy Walder Has Been Doing Exemplary Work in the Academic Field Today
Tracy Walder left the FBI in August 2005, and after taking a brief break, pursued a career she had always envisioned for herself—teaching. In September 2006, she joined Woodbridge High School in Irvine, California, where she taught until June 2009. During this time, she also earned her Master’s degree in Education from Chapman University, which further entrenched her in her passion for academia. From August 2009 to January 2020, she taught Upper School History at The Hockaday School, where she thrived as an educator. Her dedication and impact in the classroom were recognized in 2017 when she received the prestigious Killian Award for Excellence in Teaching.
In August 2020, Tracy began teaching Global Terrorism at the Ursuline Academy of Dallas, where she developed her own curriculum on foreign policy and terrorism. Her goal was to inspire and encourage more women to pursue careers in foreign affairs. She remained in this role until May 2022 but had already found another avenue that felt like a natural fit. That same year, she also joined Texas Christian University as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Criminal Justice. Wanting to share her journey and the lessons she had learned throughout her career, Tracy authored her memoir, ‘The Unexpected Spy: From the CIA to the FBI, My Secret Life Taking Down Some of the World’s Most Notorious Terrorists,’ which was published in 2019.
Tracy Walder Has Carved Out Her Niche as a Content Creator
Tracy Walder is currently settled in Dallas, Texas, and remains just as dynamic as the fresh graduate who once joined the CIA with full confidence. She has successfully reinvented herself as a content creator and has maintained a strong presence on digital platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Her content primarily focuses on safety tips, true crime cases, and insights drawn from her experiences as both an FBI and CIA officer. In addition to her online presence, she serves as a National Security contributor for NewsNation. Her multifaceted expertise ensures she remains relevant and well-regarded in various fields. While she has kept details of her personal life private, it appears that she is married and has a daughter. Tracy Walder continues to be an inspiring example of adaptability and resilience and has integrated different roles while empowering others with her knowledge and experience.
