USS COLE: Al Qaeda's Strike Before 9/11
The USS Cole bombing was more than a tragedy—it was the warning America ignored. Seventeen sailors dead, a warship nearly lost, and Washington looking the other way. This is the untold story of how a blast in Yemen became the blueprint for 9/11.
12UHDHDCC
Season 1
3 episodes
- 1. The AttackBefore the explosion came the warnings—dozens of them. Intelligence flagged al-Qaeda’s plans, but Washington downplayed the threat, distracted by politics and unwilling to act. As USS Cole steamed toward Yemen, her crew believed they were on a routine mission. In reality, they were heading straight into a trap that America had been told was coming.12CC47minOct 9, 2025
- 2. The AftermathAt 11:18 a.m., a small boat pulled alongside USS Cole—and vanished in a fireball. Seventeen sailors were killed instantly, dozens more wounded, and the destroyer itself nearly lost. In the chaos, the crew fought to save their ship with nothing but grit, training, and defiance. As allies rushed in and bodies were carried out under flags, Washington insisted it was a “criminal act,” not the act of war it clearly was.12CC49minOct 16, 2025
- 3. The ReckoningThe attack on the USS Cole should have been the final alarm. The investigation traced the plot directly to al-Qaeda’s network, exposing links to the failed USS Sullivans attack and the terror summits that laid the groundwork for September 11. But instead of striking back, politicians pointed fingers, the Navy searched for scapegoats, and the warning went unheeded. Less than a year later, America would pay the price in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington.12CC48minOct 23, 2025
USS COLE: Al Qaeda's Strike Before 9/11
20251 season3 episodesEnded
The USS Cole bombing was more than a tragedy—it was the warning America ignored. Seventeen sailors dead, a warship nearly lost, and Washington looking the other way. This is the untold story of how a blast in Yemen became the blueprint for 9/11.
Creators and cast
- Directors
- Marek Bures
- Studio
- The Daily Wire, Big Media
Maturity rating
12Check the rating before watching with younger viewers.
Audio languages
English
Where to watch
Stream
Services worldwide · data by JustWatch
Details and artwork from TMDB. Availability from JustWatch and can change without notice.