Israel has always fascinated me. The beacon of democracy in the midst of barbarity of human spirit has been the victim of state sponsored terrorism since its birth but its spirit and hunger to exist and defy have always foiled all these acts of terrorism. Israel was built from the ashes of Auschwitz, from the sacrifice of close to 6 million Jews who were killed in most barbaric way by the Nazis and from the blood of Arabs who were killed in internecine wars with Jews. Israel/Palestine is such a small country that you cant see on a world map. Its a barren strip of land between Mediterranean and Jordan river but its of damn significance and dictates the Geo-politics of the human civilization.
Gideon's Spies is a marvelously researched book on the history of Mossad. It has been appreciated by Mossad itself for near accurate representation of Mossad. This book is named after Gideon, a biblical hero who used spies in battles against enemies of Jews. Mossad is the most feared and widely respected intelligence organization
in the world. Perhaps it is the only organization that has a dedicated
assassination squad called 'Kidon'.
This book covers in detail the various operations undertaken by Mossad from the stealing of MiG 21 from Iran to the bombing of Syrian nuclear facility not too far from Damascus. My favorite operation remains the 'Raid on Entebbe'. It even surpasses the killing of Osama by US SEALS in measure of clinical perfection. The other operations worth reading are 'the hunt of Black September terrorists', 'the exposure of North Korea as a nuclear material smuggler', 'assassination of devil scientist Bull', 'failed assassination attempt on Khaled Meshal', 'the impossible spy in Eli Cohen' and the 'Abduction of evil incarnate Adolf Eichmann from Argentina.
India does not find much mention in this book. The only time when it finds mention is when Mossad Katsa (Katsa - Mossad Station officer) helps India in liquidating the mastermind of Oct 2005 Delhi bombing.
The details of terrorism and world politics are very murky and no country is innocent when the causes of terrorism are studied. All countries at different points of time have supported terrorists to achieve their political/religions/economical means. Israel has had Irgun in 1940s, US supported Mujaheddins against USSR in Afghanistan, Syria and Iran support Hezbollah etc etc. The most fearsome thing that you can read in this book is the evil effort to build an ethnic bomb that would only target a particular ethnic group or race based on its genes. Its the most perverse example of bio-terrorism.
This book is a must read book for those who really want to see what is there behind the suave looking veil of international diplomacy and Bond movies.
Highly Recommended (9/10)
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