Mossad's human intelligence (HUMINT) activities in the Middle East: The case of Iran

Intelligence is a process of acquiring information that reaches back to the very origins of human existence. In today‟s world, the desire of states to be prepared for threats and attacks against their security has increased the need for intelligence. Nevertheless, the evaluation, analysis, and transformation of the information obtained into actionable intelligence are still carried out by human agents. With technological advances, the methods of intelligence work have diversified. Especially after the attacks directed at the United States on September 11, 2001, the global understanding of security was redefined, and intelligence activities expanded and deepened worldwide. In this period, intelligence became not only a military component but also a decisive instrument in diplomatic, economic, and societal spheres. With the rise of securitization policies, human-centered forms of intelligence such as HUMINT came to the fore, and states‟ threat perceptions and approaches to intelligence changed. In the field of intelligence, human decision-making plays a decisive role in identifying information requirements and determining what information is needed and by which techniques it will be obtained.This study discusses intelligence, the importance of the human element in the intelligence process, and its role in information collection. After briefly outlining the histories of Iran and Israel, it examines their longstanding hostilities and the tensions surrounding nuclear threats, and provides information on the structure of Israel‟s intelligence organization, Mossad, and its active use of human intelligence. Based on the analysis of the data and information obtained, the study contends that Israel‟s external intelligence service, Mossad, has impeded and set back Iran‟s nuclear efforts and defense capacity. The aim is for this study to serve as a resource for Turkey and other states in shaping strategies and policies to counter hostile intelligence and to ensure national security. Key Words: Intelligence, Human Intelligence, Iran, Israel, MOSSAD