Book Review of “Israeli Security Agency in Crisis” by Dr. Avner Barnea

September 10, 2026 by Leave a comment

Book reviewAVNER BARNEA’S ISRAELI SECURITY AGENCY in Crisis: How It Failed to See Storms Arrive (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, May 2026) offers a timely and analytically coherent examination of the Israel Security Agency (ISA/Shabak) and the institutional vulnerabilities that contributed to repeated intelligence failures and strategic surprises over more than five decades. Rather than presenting a simple indictment of the organization, Barnea develops a broader argument about the accumulation of “blind spots”—cognitive, organizational, interagency, and political, that can emerge within successful intelligence institutions and gradually undermine their ability to recognize changing threats.

The book traces a series of major episodes from the late 1960s through the October 7, 2023, attack, including the Munich massacre, the Tyre compound bombing, the Markus Klingberg espionage affair, the Landau Commission and interrogation practices, the Vanunu affair, the First Intifada, the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, the Second Intifada, Jewish extremist terrorism, the Gaza tunnel threat, the May 2021 intercommunal riots, and the October 7 surprise. These cases are not presented merely as a chronological history. Their purpose is to demonstrate how organizational routines, institutional assumptions, inadequate coordination, and the tendency to rely on successful past models can create strategic rigidity.

The concept of “blind spots” provides the book’s central analytical framework. Barnea shows how intelligence organizations can become prisoners of their own successes. A doctrine that works effectively against one type of adversary may become dangerously inadequate when opponents change their methods, organizational structures, or strategic objectives. The book, therefore, emphasizes the importance of organizational learning, continuous doctrine reviews, and the ability to challenge prevailing assumptions before a crisis exposes their weaknesses.

One of the book’s most important contributions is its emphasis on counterintelligence. Barnea argues that counterintelligence has historically received insufficient institutional status, resources, and strategic attention. The Markus Klingberg espionage affair illustrates the dangers of treating insider threats and hostile intelligence activity as secondary concerns. Barnea’s broader prescription is to place counterintelligence on a level of importance comparable to other major intelligence disciplines and to integrate its insights into national warning and strategic decision-making. Read more of this post

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Purchase of Cyprus hotel by Chinese firm raises alarm in nearby British military base

September 7, 2026 by 5 Comments

City of Dreams CyprusA CHINESE-OWNED LUXURY hotel in Cyprus has sparked concerns among British intelligence and military officials that it could be used to spy on Royal Air Force (RAF) Akrotiri, one of the United Kingdom’s most strategically important overseas military bases. RAF Akrotiri is located in the Western Sovereign Base Area, which constitutes a British Overseas Territory on the island nation of Cyprus.

The hotel resort, known as the City of Dreams, is a 15-acre, 16-story complex located approximately 4.5 miles north of RAF Akrotiri. Military and intelligence officials have expressed concerns over its location, as it affords a panoramic view of one of the UK’s most critical overseas military bases. In addition to a host of British military aircraft, the base currently hosts both F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters and Lockheed U-2 (nicknamed “Dragon Lady”) reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force. With the resort standing significantly taller than surrounding buildings and dominating the local skyline, British and American officials have noted the site’s potential to provide its owners with the ability to monitor aircraft movement, military personnel and other activity in and around the base. One source said that “there was no world in which the Chinese state would not seek to exploit the hotel’s location”.

The City of Dreams is owned by Melco Resorts and Entertainment, which is led by Chinese-Canadian billionaire Lawrence Ho. Ho reportedly sits on China’s National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which is described as a “patriotic United Front” organization, populated by wealthy, influential, and well-connected individuals. Despite the claims, there has been no official evidence of espionage or wrongdoing by Ho, Melco, or the hotel. The City of Dreams has firmly denied the allegations, describing them as “entirely unfounded”. City of Dreams executives insist that the resort operates solely as a tourism and business destination.

This unease follows increased attention on Akrotiri’s security following the Iranian loitering munition that struck the base on March 1, 2026. It also echoes a 2024 case where the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and the US’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reportedly raised the alarm over a Chinese-owned hotel overlooking a Swiss military base that housed F-35 aircraft. In a separate case in July 2026, a US senator requested a security review of a Chinese solar manufacturer’s purchase of a facility near a military base in Ohio, calling the manufacturer a potential Beijing “shell company”.

Security sources reportedly told the British press that the RAF base would implement counter-intelligence measures, but noted their limitations in being able to foil espionage operations from the City of Dreams site.

► Author: Molly Jones | Date: 07 September 2026 | Permalink

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South Korean court upholds sentence for university professor convicted of espionage

August 28, 2026 by 2 Comments

South Korea Defense Counterintelligence CommandSOUTH KOREA’S SUPREME COURT has upheld a five-year prison sentence for a Chinese university professor convicted of espionage, after prosecutors accused him of conspiring with a Chinese intelligence handler to recruit active-duty South Korean soldiers and obtain military secrets, including details on an American-supplied missile defense system.

The convicted agent, identified only as “Qing”, was reportedly spotted and recruited by an espionage cell, referred to as “Ken Jake”, which was led by Chinese Chief Case Officer Liu Nannan whilst completing his PhD in Taiwan. The cell’s primary focus was the collection of high-value secrets from South Korea and Taiwan, through human intelligence (HUMINT) targeting. Investigators stated that the intelligence “Qing” collected included details on the American THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) mobile missile defense system, US-South Korea joint military exercise plans, Taiwan-related activities, and the location of a South Korean Navy vessel.

“Qing” operated between May 2024 and March 2025, using social media to approach and offer cash payments to soldiers. He also employed espionage equipment—including a camera hidden in a wristwatch—to evade face-to-face meetings while transferring stolen material. “Qing” also made several trips to South Korea’s Jeju Island to establish a dead-drop infrastructure for facilitating physical intelligence exchanges. He also met with individuals he believed were recruited military assets. The spy cell recruited Navy Corporal Jung Da-jung and Choi Hong-jae, a military conscript who reportedly received ₩ 7.1 million (about US $5,100) in exchange for providing military intelligence information. “Qing” also allegedly infiltrated anti-China/pro-Taiwan independence groups and attempted to gain close access to an unnamed female Taiwanese politician.

Following an undercover investigation by the South Korean Defense Counterintelligence Command (DCC), Qing was arrested in March 2025 by South Korean authorities while carrying out a dead-drop exchange on Jeju Island. DCC Lead Investigator Bang Tu-Cheol posed as an active-duty military asset and built credibility and trust through feeding fake documents to “Qing”. This eventually led to “Qing” meeting Bang on Jeju Island. The operation uncovered a broader network vulnerability when Chinese intelligence reportedly sent material obtained from Choi to Bang for cross-verification. South Korean investigators identified a technical link to Chinese-language file-sharing infrastructure, which allowed them to connect previously separate espionage cases. This discovery helped expose the wider “Ken Jake” cell.

► Author: Molly Jones | Date: 28 August 2026 | Permalink

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German investigators uncover suspected Russian spy weapons cache near Berlin

August 24, 2026 by 2 Comments

Brandenburg an der HavelGERMAN INVESTIGATORS SUSPECT THAT a hidden weapons cache discovered in a forest near Berlin was intended to be used by Russian intelligence operatives to carry out assassinations on German soil. The discovery of the cache was reported late last week by several German news outlets, including the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper and the North German Broadcasting (NDR) and West German Broadcasting (WDR) public television stations.

According to the reports, the discovery of the weapons cache is linked to the arrest of a Russian intelligence operative in Romania in 2025. The operative, who is believed to have assembled and hidden the weapons cache, revealed its existence under interrogation. Acting on this information, authorities in Germany found the cache, which had been hidden in a wooded area located on the border between the city of Berlin and Brandenburg.

The cache consists of at least two handguns and is “professionally assembled”, according to reports. German authorities believe that the weapons were hidden for future use by agents of the Russian government intent on carrying out “kinetic operations” on German soil or in nearby European states. Upon discovering the weapons, German investigators disabled them and fitted them with geolocation devices in order to monitor them. They also placed the area around the hidden weapons cache under electronic surveillance.

After waiting for several months, they determined that the intended users of the weapons were unlikely to retrieve them—possibly because they were aware that their location had been breached. They therefore decided to terminate the surveillance operation and publicly announce the discovery of the weapons. The Office of the German Federal Prosecutor is now preparing to bring charges involving conspiracy to perpetrate serious criminal acts against the security of the state.

► Author: Joseph Fitsanakis | Date: 24 August 2026 | Permalink

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Probe uncovers network of fake websites enticing Westerners to spy for China

August 17, 2026 by 1 Comment

FBIA COUNTERINTELLIGENCE INVESTIGATION INVOLVING five countries has uncovered a network of professionally designed websites offering to hire Western experts as consultants, but which are allegedly part of a Chinese spy operation. Thirteen websites have already been seized by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation in coordination with counterintelligence agencies in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.

According to The Guardian, which reported on the apparent espionage network, these slick artificial intelligence-generated websites purport to belong to US-based international consultancies with convincing names. They advertise lucrative consultancy jobs in areas such as international politics and security, manufacturing, trade, and defense.

One such website illegally appropriated the name, corporate logo, and website content of Horizzen, a legitimate consultancy firm based in Brisbane, Australia. Last year, Horizzen began receiving emails and telephone calls from prospective employees, even though it did not seek to hire international consultants and had no interest in their areas of expertise. The FBI eventually discovered that the fake Horizzen website had been registered in India. Similar websites in the alleged Chinese spy network were found to have been registered in Pakistan and Thailand.

According to The Guardian report, the fake consultancy firms do not reveal their connection with China, pretending instead to be based in a various Western countries. Notably, the recruitment model is not one of immediate request for classified or proprietary information. Instead, the employers gradually entice their targets, initially by offering them large sums of money in return for open-source information. Eventually, however, the recruiters offer even larger sums of money in return for more sensitive—and eventually classified—information. At the same time, the communication between the employer and the target is moved to encrypted messaging platforms.

The primary targets of the alleged spy operation were US citizens, according to the FBI. Roman Rozhavsky, a senior FBI counterintelligence official, said that the fake consultancy network “illustrates the lengths the Chinese government’s intelligence services will go to as they try to use AI-generated content to trick, recruit, or coerce”.

► Author: Joseph Fitsanakis | Date: 17 August 2026 | Permalink

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Germany set to enact most sweeping intelligence reforms since World War II

August 13, 2026 by 5 Comments

Alexander DobrindtGERMANY IS ONE CLOSER to putting in motion the broadest and most wide-reaching reforms of its intelligence services since the end of World War II, which are expected to completely transform the country’s spy agencies. Among other powers, Germany’s two covert intelligence agencies will be given the ability to engage in offensive intelligence that includes carrying out sabotage and offensive information operations abroad.

Earlier this week, the proposed reforms were approved by the Federal Cabinet, which consists of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and 17 senior federal ministers. Speaking in Berlin about the proposed reforms, Germany’s Minister of the Interior, Alexander Dobrindt (pictured), said on Wednesday that the nation’s intelligence services will be “turned into genuine secret services”. He went on to describe the proposed changes as “a revolution” in the history of German national security.

The proposed reforms apply to Germany’s two covert intelligence agencies: the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) which operates domestically, and the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), which operates abroad. Since their establishment in the 1950s, the two agencies have been tasked with gathering intelligence for purely defensive/protective reasons. Both operate under stringent oversight by committees in the Bundestag—Germany’s lower house of parliament.

The proposed reforms will permit the agencies to neutralize “threats to Germany and its allies […] using kinetic means if necessary”. This means that special agents will be allowed to employ firearms and other weapons in the course of operations—though only in self-defense. They will also be permitted to engage in sabotage and other offensive information operations, and carry out offensive cyber espionage and cyber sabotage.

The government is largely justifying the as a response to what it describes as “state terrorism” in reference to Russian hybrid warfare—a phenomenon that Western European intelligence agencies consistently claim is growing in both scope and intensity. On the same day the German Federal Cabinet approved the proposed intelligence reforms, the Bloomberg news agency //reported// that the United States Central Intelligence Agency had reported its European counterparts that Moscow was preparing to intensify its campaign of “sabotage against infrastructure facilities and ‘false-flag’ operations” on European soil.

The proposed reforms will not become law until they are formally approved by the Bundestag in September. However, this is expected to occur with a high degree of certainty, given that the majority of seats is held by the governing coalition. The latter includes the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) and the center-right Christian Social Union (CSU) and Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

► Author: Joseph Fitsanakis | Date: 13 August 2026 | Permalink

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Czech businessman detained in China on espionage charges

August 6, 2026 by 1 Comment

Czech embassy Beijing ChinaA CZECH BUSINESSMAN, EMPLOYEE of a Czech radar manufacturer based in China, was detained by Chinese authorities in late June 2026 on suspicion of espionage, it has emerged. According to the Czech news outlet Denik N, which reviewed the relevant diplomatic correspondence, the charges concern “obtaining and passing on information without further specification”. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the Czech citizen had been apprehended on “endangering national security”. However, neither Beijing nor Prague have officially confirmed or elaborated on the specific charges.

This case underscores ongoing diplomatic tensions between the Czechia and China, following the January 2026 arrest in Prague of Yang Yi-min, a Chinese journalist for Guangming Daily, on charges of acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign power. Yang remains in custody. The two detentions have fueled speculation of ‘hostage diplomacy’—a term that refers to the apprehension of foreign nationals as a means of exerting diplomatic leverage during disputes between states. However, the Czech Republic’s Minster of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, Petr Macinka, has publicly denied such speculation.

This case should be seen within the broader context of of Chinese-Czech relations in the post-COVID-19 era. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s government, in office since December 2025, has sought to build a more pragmatic relationship with Beijing after years of tension under his predecessor, primarily over Prague’s positions on Taiwan. It is clear that the recent arrests further-complicate his administration’s China strategy.

Meanwhile, the businessman’s fate remains uncertain. China analyst Katerina Prochazkova, of the Sinopsis research initiative, outlined a range of possible outcomes in this case: a prisoner swap involving the Chinese national held in Prague, or a swifter resolution involving due process, consular access, and release without prolonged detention. However, she pointed to a less optimistic scenario—namely a lengthy investigation marked by limited transparency, noting that past cases have involved multi-year detentions before resolution.

The Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, Tomio Okamura, visited Beijing last month, with the aim of bolstering tourism and economic ties between the two countries. Reports circulated of a liaison between Okamura and Chinese authorities on a potential prisoner swap. However, as one Czech-China analyst noted, Okamura holds no formal foreign-policy authority and any intervention on his part would be at most an informal gesture.

► Author: Molly Jones | Date: 06 August 2026 | Permalink

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Canadian NATO intern arrested on suspicion of spying for third country

August 3, 2026 by 2 Comments

NATO SHAPE Mons BelgiumA CANADIAN WOMAN OF Chinese origin was arrested on Friday July 24 on suspicion of spying for a third-party country, whilst serving as an intern at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium.

Belgian authorities stated on July 25 that the woman “is suspected of spying on behalf of a third country and of being a member of a criminal organization”. Security services at SHAPE were reportedly the first to convey concerns to the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office over the woman’s behavior—such as staying at NATO facilities after hours and asking questions of her colleagues. This prompted a raid of the suspect’s residence and workplace inside NATO headquarters, which resulted in an order for her to be held in a one-month pretrial custody.

No official report from Belgian or Canadian authorities has disclosed the third country or criminal organization mentioned in the press release. Moreover, whilst no official authority has disclosed the suspect’s identity, a CBC News investigation reportedly traced her background to the name of Biwei Zhang, a systems engineer with an economics background, who had previously been employed at the Canadian Space Agency and Statistics Canada. The suspect has reportedly used other aliases such as “Claire” and “Catina”.

At a systemic level, this case underscores reservations concerning Canadian national security and the processing of security clearances in Canada. Such lapses can potentially harm the security of Canadian allies; notably, the present suspect allegedly held previous positions at the World Trade Organization and the European Space Agency. This case also flags the role of internships at global security organizations such as NATO. One report described the intern position as an “Achilles’ heel”, as it provides direct insight into the institutions at the core of global security architecture.

► Author: Molly Jones | Date: 03 August 2026 | Permalink

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Iranian attacks on CIA facilities in Gulf prompts probe into Russian assistance

July 23, 2026 by 4 Comments

Iran UAV droneINTELLIGENCE ANALYSTS IN THE United States are looking into the possibility that Russia may have given Iranian targeters information about the location of secret Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) facilities in the Gulf. According to the Reuters news agency, Iran has managed to strike “several” CIA facilities in at least three countries in the Middle East in the past few months. Some of the strikes appear to have been surgically targeted at specific buildings, and even parts of buildings.

The CIA maintains official stations inside American embassy facilities throughout the Gulf. But the agency also manages an extensive network of offices, logistics hubs, safe houses, and surveillance or other operational facilities throughout the region. The location of these facilities is highly classified and compartmentalized even within the CIA itself. According to intelligence sources cited by Reuters, few nations other than Russia possess the necessary resources to map the precise locations of CIA facilities and the desire to share them with Tehran.

Citing “four people familiar with US intelligence”, Reuters said that Iran has managed to successfully target “more than one and fewer than a dozen” CIA facilities in the Gulf since March. Among them is a secret facility in Iraq, as well as the CIA station in Saudi Arabia, which is located inside the US embassy complex in Riyadh. According to reports, Tehran deployed an advanced version of its Shahed and Mohajer drones to demolish the exterior wall of the CIA station before another set of kamikaze drones burst into the interior of the facility. Some analysts believe that the kinetic capabilities of the drones used in the attack had been enhanced using Russian technical expertise.

The Reuters report added that Moscow has a longstanding intelligence-sharing relationship with Iran and has been known to provide Tehran with targeting information and other forms of support. This relationship only strengthened since the onset of the current war between the US, Israel, and Iran. However, the report states that intelligence officials have yet to draw firm conclusions about Russia’s precise role in the Iranian attacks on CIA facilities.

► Author: Joseph Fitsanakis | Date: 23 July 2026 | Research credit: M.J. | Permalink

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Russian spies hacked security cameras to monitor weapons shipments to Ukraine

July 14, 2026 by 2 Comments

CCTV cameraSTATE-SPONSORED RUSSIAN HACKERS compromised surveillance cameras in the Netherlands in an effort to monitor the transportation of weapons to Ukraine, according to a report issued by the Dutch government. The compromised cameras were located across routes used by North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces to transport weapons to Kyiv, according to the report.

The revelation is contained in a joint communique issued by the two primary intelligence agencies of the Netherlands—the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) and the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD). It states that Russian hackers targeted security camera systems—most of them belonging to private businesses—located along transportation routes that are frequented by NATO military convoys heading to Ukraine.

Access to the camera feeds enabled Russian intelligence to identify the precise routes used by NATO military convoys and to monitor the types of equipment being transported to Ukraine. Ground-level security cameras also offered an important intelligence advantage over satellite and drone imagery by providing close-range views of vehicles and cargo, revealing operational details that overhead collection platforms often fail to capture.

The communiqué does not specify the exact number of compromised security cameras, noting only that it was “small”. Nor does it identify the specific transportation routes covered by the affected cameras. It does, however, confirm that the compromised systems were positioned along military logistics routes used to support NATO assistance to Ukraine. It further notes that the cameras were compromised as part of a “large-scale Russian operation” that aims to monitor, and if possible stop, NATO military assistance to Ukraine.

► Author: Joseph Fitsanakis | Date: 14 Jul 2026 | Permalink

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Female suspect in Monaco bombing that targeted sanctioned oligarch found dead

July 8, 2026 by 3 Comments

Anastasiia BerezovskaA WOMAN SUSPECTED OF having planted an explosive device that critically injured a sanctioned oligarch and members of his family in Monaco has been found dead in Ukraine, according to reports. Two men have been charged with murdering the woman, both of whom are Ukrainian government employees. One of the suspects is a law enforcement officer and the other is a military intelligence officer, according to reports.

Authorities in Monaco believe that Anastasiia Berezovska, 39, a Ukrainian national, planted a parcel bomb that seriously injured multi-millionaire Vadym Yermolaiev on June 29. Yermolaiev’s mistress and their 13-year-old son were also injured, according to reports. In 2019, Yermolaiev renounced his Ukrainian citizenship and became a citizen of Cyprus. In 2022, when Russia launched the latest phase of its invasion of Ukraine, Yermolaiev moved his family to Monaco.

In 2023 the Ukrainian government imposed financial sanctions on Yermolaiev, claiming that he collaborated with the authorities in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine. But Yermolaiev refuted these allegations, claiming that he regarded Russia as an “enemy” and that he had provided financial donations to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He also claimed that he had renounced his Ukrainian citizenship because the Ukrainian tax system was unfair and he wanted to receive “international protection”.

On Tuesday the BBC reported that it contacted the office of Monaco’s prosecutor, who said that Berezovska had “spent days casing out” Yermolaiev’s residence and that she had disguised herself as a man when she planted the parcel bomb in the entranceway of Yermolaiev’s Monaco apartment. Shortly after the bomb exploded, at 9:00 p.m. local time, Berezovska used a rented car to drive across the border to Italy and then to Germany.

By that time, Interpol had issued a Red Notice alert for Berezovska, which prompted German special forces personnel to raid an apartment the suspect had rented in Germany’s central state of Hesse. However, Berezovska was not found there. It now appears that she had entered Ukraine on July 1, where she made contact with her family and two men, according to Ukrainian authorities. According to the prosecutor general’s office, Berezovska “traveled a certain distance with [the two men], after which she was killed”.

Citing the office of Ukraine’s prosecutor general, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and “a current officer” in Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), the BBC reports that Berezovska’s body was found buried in a forest in Kyiv. Her body displayed two bullet wounds to the head. A law enforcement officer and a DIU officer have been charged with murdering Berezovska, according to the BBC. Previously, the men are believed to have transferred funds to Berezovska’s bank and cryptocurrency accounts.

In a statement cited by the BBC, the SBU said that a house belonging to one of the two suspects contained a basement room that “resembled a torture chamber”. The two men have been charged with “intentional murder committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons”. Ukrainian law enforcement officials stated on Tuesday that they are working on identifying more suspects in the case.

► Author: Joseph Fitsanakis | Date: 07 July 2026 | Permalink

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Hamas’s sophisticated deception strategy enabled October 7 attacks, study shows

July 4, 2026 by 5 Comments

Israel Hamas warA STUDY OF HAMAS documents seized by Israel during the Israel-Hamas war reveals the extent of sophistication of Hamas’s deception campaign. The Palestinian group deliberately portrayed itself as essentially deterred and focused on economic stability and on governing Gaza, rather than on a military confrontation with Israel. This successful misdirection repeatedly influenced Israeli security discussions. The key takeaway is that Hamas used deliberate deception tactics, including economic distraction, a West Bank focus, and covert military exercises, to mask its preparations for a large-scale attack against Israel.

The first comprehensive study of these seized documents, conducted by experts at the Amit Terrorism and Intelligence Research Institute in Israel, reveals that Hamas leaders, headed by Yahya Sinwar and military commander Mohammed Deif, saw Operation Guardian of the Walls in May 2021 as a major strategic success for the Palestinians. Building on this perception, they began developing what they saw as a decisive future campaign against Israel, believing that key parts of the Israeli operation reflected significant operational achievements that shaped this new strategy. By September 2022, Hamas’ military intelligence had called for a comprehensive deception plan encompassing political, military, economic, and media dimensions.

The goal was to create conditions for a surprise attack that would outdo Hamas’ past confrontations with Israel. The seized documents reveal that manipulating the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) organization, a distinct militant group that is active in Gaza, was key to Hamas’ approach. One key element was a policy of restraint and controlled escalation: Hamas avoided open military confrontation with Israel, and its leaders were told to contain violent incidents, which ultimately helped foster a perception of Israeli deterrence. Read more of this post

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US spy agencies resisting White House plan to create master list of espionage threats

July 1, 2026 by 11 Comments

ODNI DNIAMERICAN INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES are reportedly refusing to abide by a White House directive that requires them to turn over the names of all individuals who are believed to be spying on the United States. The directive aims to build a master list of all known foreign intelligence actors with the goal of streamlining American counterintelligence efforts against them. However, according to a New York Times report, senior counterintelligence officials are concerned that such a centralized master list could leak and result in a catastrophic compromise of national security information.

Citing “people familiar with the matter”, the Times said on Monday that the effort to create a master list of foreign spies and Americans who are spying on behalf of foreign intelligence services is being led by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). The agency has asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI to provide the names of all individuals who have been found to engage in espionage and are being watched by the Bureau. Likewise, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been asked to provide names of foreign espionage operatives that populate its lists of potential assets—foreign spies who may in time be turned by the CIA.

The master list of spies would potentially allow the entirety of the United States Intelligence Community (IC) to monitor the global activities of these espionage operatives and share information about them in real time. Additionally, the existence of such a list would in theory prevent operational duplication and help deconfliction within the IC when it comes to counterintelligence efforts. The central idea behind the master list dates to National Security Presidential Memorandum – 7, a directive issued by President Donald Trump in October 2017, during his first term in office.

However, senior counterintelligence officials are reportedly concerned that giving the ODNI full access to such a comprehensive master list of espionage threat actors could potentially compromise the integrity of counterintelligence operations. Information about espionage operatives and assets—both current and prospective—is usually protected behind several layers of classification and compartmentalization that shield it even within individual intelligence agencies. Additionally, some of the information relating to these individuals is acquired through counterintelligence activities authorized by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and is thus subject to tight restrictions.

At a deeper level, the resistance of senior counterintelligence officials to surrender sensitive information about espionage to the ODNI reflects years of mutual suspicion and turf wars within the IC. According to the Times, these officials have yet to agree about how such a master list would be constructed, what information it would contain, who should have access to it, and how it should be maintained and updated.

► Author: Joseph Fitsanakis | Date: 1 July 2026 | Permalink

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Opinion: Gofman’s Mossad appointment poses major challenges to Israeli Intelligence

June 19, 2026 by 9 Comments

Roman GofmanTHE APPOINTMENT OF MAJOR General (res.) Roman Gofman as director of the Mossad spy agency has emerged as a flashpoint in Israel’s security landscape, underscoring sharp divisions over senior leadership choices. Announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in December 2025, the appointment has sparked intense debate among political, legal, and security circles. Supporters emphasize Gofman’s innovative, battle-tested military credentials, while detractors challenge both the process and his suitability to head Israel’s top foreign intelligence agency. This controversy mirrors the backlash against Netanyahu’s prior nomination of Major General David Zini as head of the Israel Security Agency (ISA), raising persistent questions about the decision-making process for key intelligence appointments.

The Appointment Process

On 4 December 2025, Netanyahu announced his decision to appoint Gofman as the next director of the Mossad. At that time, Gofman was serving as Netanyahu’s military secretary. Gofman was selected to replace outgoing Mossad Director David Barnea, whose five-year term was scheduled to end in June 2026.

The choice was notable because Gofman came from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) rather than from within the Mossad itself. Reports indicate that Netanyahu bypassed Mossad’s existing leadership, including candidates reportedly favored by outgoing director David Barnea, in selecting Gofman.

Following the announcement, Israeli law required the Advisory Committee for Senior Appointments to review senior security appointments. Chaired by former Supreme Court President Asher Grunis, the committee examined Gofman’s candidacy and approved it in April 2026. After /approval, Netanyahu signed the appointment documents.

Nevertheless, the Committee’s approval did not resolve all disagreements. Gofman’s nomination soon became the subject of legal challenges before Israel’s High Court of Justice. Only after the Court rejected petitions seeking to block the appointment was Gofman able to assume office as Mossad Director in June 2026.

Why Netanyahu Chose Gofman

Supporters of Gofman’s appointment emphasized that, following the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza War in October 2023, Gofman brought extensive military experience and was closely involved in national security decision-making. Netanyahu’s office highlighted Gofman’s wartime operational leadership, his service as military secretary, and his coordination with intelligence agencies, including Mossad. Supporters also emphasized Gofman’s reputation as an unconventional and creative commander. During his military career, Gofman commanded armored formations, led operational units on Israel’s northern and southern fronts, and was wounded while fighting Hamas militants during the attacks of 7 October 2023. His supporters argued that the post-October 7 security environment required fresh thinking and leadership from outside traditional intelligence circles.

Lack of Intelligence Background

The most common criticism of Gofman’s appointment concerned his professional background. Unlike most recent Mossad directors, Gofman had spent his career in the military rather than in intelligence operations. Critics argued that running a global espionage organization requires skills and experience different from those needed to command military units. Several commentators noted that he would be among the few Mossad chiefs appointed without a substantial career in the intelligence service. Supporters countered that the Mossad has historically benefited from leaders with diverse backgrounds and that strategic leadership skills can be transferable across intelligence organizations. His critics emphasize his lack of experience, as four days after his appointment he fired the No. 2 at the Mossad, who had strong credentials and successful experience at the agency. It looks like more senior officials at Mossad may leave the agency, as they are not satisfied with Gofman’s nomination.

Allegations of Political Loyalty

Another major point of contention is Gofman’s close relationship with Netanyahu. As the prime minister’s military secretary, Gofman worked directly alongside Netanyahu and was regarded as a trusted adviser. Some observers stated that his appointment was based on personal loyalty rather than solely on professional considerations, and noted that Netanyahu bypassed candidates favored by the outgoing Mossad leadership.

Some warned that intelligence chiefs should provide independent assessments to political leaders, even when those assessments are unwelcome. Gofman’s nomination was included in a broader discussion about political influence over Israel’s security institutions.

The “Minor Informant” Affair and Legal Challenges

A further complication emerged during scrutiny of Gofman’s tenure as an IDF commander. Critics questioned his involvement in a controversial military operation that used a minor in a sensitive information campaign. This became a focal point during the vetting process and was cited by those challenging his appointment.

Although the advisory committee approved his nomination, the issue caused delays. It also provided grounds for legal petitions.

Gofman’s nomination faced formal legal challenges before the High Court of Justice in Israel. Petitioners argued that aspects of Goffman’s conduct and the appointment process raised concerns regarding standards expected of senior public officials. The litigation delayed the completion of the appointment process and prolonged public debate about the nomination. Ultimately, the High Court rejected the petitions and allowed the appointment to proceed.

Conclusion

Roman Gofman’s appointment as Mossad director illustrates the tensions that frequently accompany senior security appointments in Israel. On the one hand, supporters viewed him as a highly capable commander whose operational experience, creativity, and wartime service made him well-suited to lead the country’s foreign intelligence service. On the other hand, critics questioned his lack of intelligence experience, his close association with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and controversies stemming from allegations of lapses in decision-making and command disputes during his military career.

Despite these challenges, Gofman ultimately secured approval from both the Advisory Committee for Senior Appointments and the High Court of Justice, allowing him to assume leadership of the Mossad in June 2026. His performance as director will be subject to close scrutiny.

► Author: Avner Barnea* | Date: 19 June 2026 | Permalink

* Dr. Avner Barnea is a research fellow at the National Security Studies Center of the University of Haifa in Israel. He served as a senior officer in the Israel Security Agency (ISA). He is the author of We Never Expected That: A Comparative Study of Failures in National and Business Intelligence (Lexington Books, 2021).

 

 

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Iran has mostly replenished its missile stockpiles: Western intelligence

June 15, 2026 by 5 Comments

Iran War 2026IRAN USED THE EIGHT-week ceasefire with the United States and Israel to replenish its military arsenal to at least three-quarters of its pre-war levels, according to Western intelligence estimates. Tehran has been able to incorporate substantial supplies of Russian-built weapons to its firepower and could easily reach 100 percent of its pre-war arsenal capacity soon, according to reports.

The latest estimates directly contradict earlier assessments by the administration of US President Donald Trump, which claims Iran’s military firepower has been obliterated in the past three months. In March, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Iran’s offensive capability had been reduced by as much as 90 percent. Earlier this month, President Trump claimed that Iran’s missile arsenal stood at 60 percent of its pre-war level.

However, Western intelligence estimates now suggest that the Iranian regime’s ability to replenish its military arsenal has been far more advanced than presumed by its adversaries. In a related development, the Reuters news agency reported last week that the United Arab Emirates directly approached Tehran and offered to pay it in return for not being attacked again.

According to Reuters, the UAE agreed to give Iran between $10 and $20 billion in return for halting its attacks on the Gulf state. The news agency claimed that $3 billion of the earmarked funds had already been delivered to Tehran. In a subsequent statement, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the Reuters report as “entirely false and unfounded” and stated that no funds had been “released, transferred or facilitated through the UAE”.

► Author: Joseph Fitsanakis | Date: 15 June 2026 | Permalink

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