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CIA-Mossad: A Complex Intelligence Alliance g.co/gemini/share/d248618dc5…
A Bond Forged in Secrecy: The Complex Dance of the CIA and MossadThe relationship between the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Israel’s Mossad is a multifaceted and deeply entrenched alliance, characterized by decades of extensive cooperation, punctuated by periods of significant friction and controversy. This intricate partnership, born out of the exigencies of the Cold War and the volatile dynamics of the Middle East, remains a cornerstone of both nations’ national security architectures, adapting to evolving geopolitical landscapes and shared threats.1
A Symbiotic Partnership in the Shadows
The foundation of the CIA-Mossad relationship was laid in the early 1950s, driven by a mutual need to counter Soviet influence in the Middle East. The CIA, a relatively young organization, recognized the value of Mossad’s human intelligence capabilities and its deep understanding of the Arab world. In return, the fledgling Israeli agency gained access to American resources, technology, and global reach.
This cooperation has manifested in numerous ways over the decades:
Counterterrorism: A primary area of collaboration has been the fight against terrorism. The two agencies have a long history of sharing intelligence on terrorist organizations, plots, and individuals, leading to numerous disrupted attacks.2 This partnership became even more critical in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent “War on Terror.”
Combating Nuclear Proliferation: A shared concern over the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran has been a significant driver of recent cooperation.3 This collaboration has reportedly included intelligence sharing on Iran’s nuclear program and, according to recent reports, culminated in joint operations.4 In a rare public acknowledgment in June 2025, the head of Mossad thanked the CIA for its assistance in a series of operations against Iranian targets, highlighting the ongoing depth of their partnership on this critical issue.5
Intelligence Gathering and Analysis: The agencies have historically complemented each other’s strengths. Mossad has often provided valuable human intelligence (HUMINT) from within the Middle East, while the CIA has offered its vast technical intelligence (TECHINT) capabilities, including satellite imagery and signals intelligence (SIGINT). Declassified documents have revealed early instances of this exchange, such as Mossad providing the CIA with intelligence on the Soviet Union gleaned from Jewish immigrants.
Strains and Scandals: A Relationship Tested
Despite the deep-seated cooperation, the CIA-Mossad relationship has been far from seamless, marked by significant conflicts and controversies that have, at times, threatened to derail the partnership.
The Jonathan Pollard Affair: The most damaging episode was the 1985 arrest of Jonathan Pollard, a U.S. Navy intelligence analyst who was caught spying for Israel.6 Pollard had provided vast amounts of classified American intelligence to his Israeli handlers, causing a severe breach of trust and straining relations for years.7 The affair led to a re-evaluation of intelligence sharing protocols and left a lasting scar on the relationship, with many in the U.S. intelligence community feeling a profound sense of betrayal.
Divergent Strategic Interests: While often aligned, the national interests of the United States and Israel do not always converge, leading to friction. Disagreements over issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the pace and approach to dealing with Iran, and Israel’s covert operations have periodically created tension between the two agencies.
Lesser-Known Conflicts: Beyond the high-profile Pollard case, there have been other, less-publicized instances of disagreement and mistrust. These have often revolved around concerns about Israeli intelligence operations within the United States and differing assessments of regional threats.
The Present State: An Enduring, Pragmatic Alliance
Today, the relationship between the CIA and Mossad is characterized by a pragmatic and indispensable partnership. The shared threats of terrorism, cyber warfare, and nuclear proliferation in the Middle East continue to necessitate close collaboration. The recent joint operations targeting Iran in the summer of 2025 underscore the current, active nature of this cooperation on the most pressing national security issues.8
While the memory of the Pollard affair serves as a cautionary tale, the intelligence sharing between the two agencies is believed to be robust, particularly on matters of mutual and immediate concern. The directors of the CIA and Mossad are known to maintain regular and direct communication, facilitating the rapid exchange of critical information.
In conclusion, the CIA-Mossad relationship is a dynamic and complex tapestry woven with threads of deep cooperation, strategic divergence, and occasional betrayal. It is a partnership born of necessity and sustained by shared interests, one that has weathered significant storms and continues to be a pivotal, if often unseen, element in the turbulent landscape of global intelligence and security. The enduring nature of this alliance is a testament to its strategic importance to both the United States and Israel, a bond forged in the shadows that continues to shape events in the Middle East and beyond.
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Sep 27, 2025
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