Craig Unger recounts the investigative origins of the October Surprise story, which gained mainstream credibility after a 1991 New York Times op-ed by former National Security Council member Gary Sick. Working for Esquire, Unger collaborated with fellow j

Craig Unger recounts the investigative origins of the October Surprise story, which gained mainstream credibility after a 1991 New York Times op-ed by former National Security Council member Gary Sick. Working for Esquire, Ungercollaborated with fellow journalists like Bob Parry to uncover rumors of Republican interference in the hostage crisis. A central figure in their investigation was Ari Ben-Menashe, a rogue Israeli intelligence operative who claimed that Bill Casey met with Iranians in Madrid in July 1980. Ben-Menashe alleged that Casey negotiated a deal to provide Iranwith weapons in exchange for delaying the release of the American hostages until after the election, a clear violation of the Logan Act. Furthermore, Ben-Menashe claimed a follow-up meeting occurred in Paris in October 1980 involving George H.W. Bush to "seal the deal." Unger emphasizes that investigating this world of illegal arms dealers was professionally risky, often leading to accusations of being a "conspiracy nut." (3/8)
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