Summary
Overview
In this revealing interview, former Danish double agent Morten Storm reflects on his extraordinary journey from violent gang member to Muslim fundamentalist to spy who infiltrated Al-Qaeda's highest ranks. He discusses his troubled childhood, conversion to Islam, decade-long immersion in radical circles, and his dangerous work with Danish, British, and American intelligence services. Storm candidly addresses his role in tracking Anwar al-Awlaki, the betrayal he felt from the CIA, the ongoing threats to his life, and his struggle to reconcile his past identities with his current self.
Reflections: Was It Worth It?
When asked if his spy career was worth it, Storm remains ambiguous about the personal cost while expressing no regrets about fighting terrorism. He misses his intelligence colleagues and the adrenaline of living on the edge, struggling with the vacuum left by civilian life. While he has no remorse about the terrorists he helped capture or kill, he carries deep regret about failing as a father and being too selfish and arrogant in his personal relationships. Storm lives modestly with little money but maintains he fought for what he believed in without compromising for any price.
- Storm describes his spy career as surreal, sometimes having to pinch himself that it was real
- When asked if it was worth it, Storm says 'I'm not sure' but emphasizes he did it and is here now
- He admits he was possibly one of the worst spies because he revealed himself, unable to live as a hypocrite
- Storm says revealing who he was to people became a way to forgive himself for his actions
- He lives with very little money but believes he fought for what he believed in without compromise
" For me, it's somehow surreal. And I have sometimes to pinch myself in the arm to say, Morten, this is actually you. "
" Was it worth it? I'm not sure. But I did it. And I'm here now. "
" I'm not a good father. I failed. I should have been better in this way, maybe less selfish, been too arrogant maybe, and that have obviously that's reflected on the way that my children and I are interacting today. "
" As for the terrorists and as for my enemies, I have no regrets and I will do everything again and again and again. "
From Violence to Islam: Storm's Early Transformation
Morten Storm describes his brutal childhood filled with violence and neglect from an abusive stepfather, which shaped him into a dangerous young man. Seeking belonging, he found family among immigrant gangs and later the Bandidos motorcycle club. At 21, while seeking shelter in a library, he discovered a book about Prophet Muhammad that would change his life. Islam's structure, permission to fight back, and realistic portrayal of its prophet resonated deeply with Storm, leading him to embrace the faith and transform into Murad Storm.
- Storm's childhood was marked by extreme violence from his stepfather, which he later replicated in his own violent behavior
- At 13, he joined a group nicknamed 'the Raiders' by police, finding the family bonds he'd never had among Turkish, Palestinian, and Iranian Muslims
- Later joined the Bandidos motorcycle club and participated in a two-year war against the Hells Angels
- At 21, discovered Islam in a library book, attracted to its permission to fight and Muhammad's humanity compared to Christianity
- Embraced Islam completely, praying five times daily and moving to the UK to join Muslim communities
" Muslims have some of the best family values that I have ever experienced and I still communicate with some old friends and I love them and I tell them that you guys definitely gave me what I never had before. "
" In Islam, you don't turn the other cheek, you hit back. There is permission to fight and that appealed to me. "
📚 5 more sections below
Sign up to unlock the complete summary with all insights, key points, and quotes
Get this summary + all future The Spy Who episodes in your inbox
100% Free • Unsubscribe Anytime
Sign up now and we'll send you the complete summary of this episode, plus get notified when new The Spy Who episodes are released—delivered straight to your inbox within minutes.