America’s First Foreign Fighter for al Qaeda After 9/11: Bryant Neal Viñas Tells His Story

Bryant Neal Viñas was born in Long Island, New York and raised Catholic in a Hispanic immigrant family. In 2008, he was arrested in Pakistan, and eventually pleaded guilty to terrorism charges in relation to his having joined al Qaeda. Viñas proceeded to cooperate with the government, providing critical information on al Qaeda’s operations and structure. How did Viñas radicalize and end up joining al Qaeda in Pakistan? How did al Qaeda operate, and what was the role of Americans within it. Released from prison, Viñas now tells his story.

New America welcomes Bryant Neal Viñas to tell his story alongside Mitch Silber, former Director of Intelligence Analysis for the New York City Police Department, which investigated the New York circles Viñas was active in prior to his departure for Pakistan.

Join the conversation online using #BryantViñas and following @NewAmericaISP.

Participants:

Bryant Neal Viñas
Former American al Qaeda member

Mitchell Silber, @MitchSilber
Former Director of Intelligence Analysis, NYPD

Moderator:

Melissa Salyk-Virk
Policy Analyst, New America

For request an invitation, please email events@newamerica.org.