The logic then goes that small operatives and large structures do not provide security; however, if you flip the formula to large operatives (Assad) and smaller structures (Syrian Intelligence Assets of Fear in Syria), you would truly bring the Syrian regime to its knees.

Mr. Bergman has it wrong. There are limits to espionage, and when they are exhausted, when faced with an implacable enemy, the only other choice is massive warfare. The reluctance of Israel to destroy Iran's capability to fund nuclear build up, or the outright demolition of their nuclear plant using weapons they are preparing to use against Israel, is creating the possibility of Israel's elimination. We have seen how supportive the world is of Jews in the past. Let us "Never again" trust their good will. Leon

If Ronen Bergman is right that covert operations alone will not bring peace, and that eventually only negotiations will be necessary, the opposite, that without espionnage their would be peace is wrong. Without covert (and military) operations I wonder if Israel would have the opportunity to even start negotiations.

of the terroists ability to plan and execute sofisticated atttacks. This is an ongoing Israeli policy that you forgot to mention. And, oh yes, it is quite strategic.Nasrallah is a ground hog that hasnt seen the light of day for years.

Kadima, under both the Sharon and Olmert regimes, wasted Israel's intelligence successes and brought political defeat. That is what happens when you have a country that gives education and freedom to brutal murderers like Kuntar and plans to destroy the homes of its own widows and orphans.

I like how you begin with implying that you somehow have special access to intelligence paperwork. A reader could pretty much skip over the middle and land on your last sentence. The fact is that in the diplomatic and intelligence world, Ronen, dialogue never really stops. That Mossad has not taken out Iran, Syria, Hezballah and Hamas is hardly an indication of its failure. The immensely embarrassing killing of Muhgniyeh and the Dubai 'touch' speak volumes. The only faiulure to launch I perceive is your actual grasp of intelligence diplomacy.

The bottom line: Excellent intelligence and operational capabilities can only go so far. At the end of the day, there is no substitute for dialogue- (and for a diplomatic process that always ends with some kind of compromise. ) OH YES THERE IS - THE OMNISCIENSE OF JEHOVAH - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW4OPRb4uTs Zechariah 14 1Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 2For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished. And half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3Then shall the LORD go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle. 4And His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east FOLLOW HIS LEAD - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWSATpx7uzk Arn.

All of the operations you cite had the goal of preventing things from getting worse rather than improving the status quo. The fact that nothing changed is evidence of their success. Making grand strategic changes will always be the job of generals and diplomats - not spies.

Nonsense to mix between the ongoing war and politics. You should first defend yourself, and only after think about long term strategy. If you talk about strategy, we are paying now for the weakening of Irak and the lack of balance in the ME to Iran's aggressive behaviour. The USA and the UK were the ones that didn't think before opening a war.

The main problem is that there is a presumption you are dealing with states and organisations/people whose outlook, upbringing and social values are the same as yours.Very few born and bred Israelis for exampe understand or have experienced anti-semitism. Leadership that were borne abraod did, but we have a generation in control who do not have the savvy or knowledge of the real world.

have best upper hand. for that excellent intelligence and operational capabilities only will give you that. academics, intellectuals, poly-science students and politicians give themselves way to much credit. they overblow their role. send this author back to the books, he still has a lot to learn.

If they ShabaK and Mossad had not kept up their activities, there would nothing to talk about. Israel would have already been finished-off. It's takeh a never ending task, but one which must and will go on.

filonel says, "If they ShabaK and Mossad had not kept up their activities, there would nothing to talk about. Israel would have already been finished-off." Consider that! Despite nukes, despite the largest and most expensive military in the middle east, despite the unqualified military and diplomatic support of the USA, if Mossad had not done its job then Hisbollah etc would have already destroyed Israel! Truly Israel's survival is precarious. Any little thing could happen and Israel would be gone. Emigrate. Or pray.