Intelligence organizations such as the Israeli Security Agency (Shabak/ ISA), The Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations (the Mossad), intelligence units in the IDF (AMAN) and in the Israel Police and their likes, are characterised by the special nature of their operations, which cast a heavy burden of responsibility on the shoulders of those in charge of them, accompanied by the challenge to sustain the whole spectrum of their activities within the frames of the law, integrity and subject to proper administration rules. This challenge is especially prominent in matters related to foiling - predictive - activities, which by their nature depend deeply on assessment of reality which did not occur yet, and sometimes involve violation of human rights and characterised by careful threading upon and problematic proximity to the boundaries of lawfulness.

This document, dealing with the roles of the gatekeepers - internal auditor and legal advisor - attempts to describe the aforementioned problematicalness and mechanisms to cope with it. The subject of the detailed analysis is the Israeli Security Agency, the author comes from, but it also offers inspiration and directions of thought to those engaged in the efforts of the intelligence organizations through special emphasis on their foiling activity.

The document is published with the permission of the Research Center of the National Defense College of Israel (INDC).

This paper gives a short comprehensive overview of Pakistan's historical role in the emergence, development and radicalization of jihadist movements since the 1980s. India, as well as faraway states like the US and the UK, has suffered from this jihadist phenomenon. Since the early 1990s, China, one of Pakistan's major neighbors and friends, has not been immune from a growing Uighur jihadist movement which has found sanctuary in Afghan and Pakistani territory and threatens the stability and security of its Xinjiang Province, and beyond. The challenge of this dangerous phenomenon risks carrying on if the Pakistani government and military will not put an end to it.

First published in Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies (in Asia), Vol. 3 , No. 3, 2009.

Annual summary regarding terrorist threats to Israel, issued by the Israel Security Agency (Shabak).

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of Saudi Arabia's double-standard approach to ideological counter-radicalization. Saudi de-radicalization efforts are examined in the context of their ideological, religious and historical status, revealing a plethora of complex issues and inconsistencies.  

Pakistani Special Service Group (SSG) officers, serving and retired, have gravitated to the world of terrorism. New evidence suggests that elements of both the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the SSG are facilitating knowledge of commando-style operations among Pakistan's jihadi arena. 

First Published in the SAIR International Terrorism Monitor, Paper No.578

After months of ‘preparation’ – massive and often indiscriminate bombings in the region, as well as the massing of Forces, blockades and endless curfews – there are now credible reports that the Pakistan Army is poised to ‘storm’ the principal strongholds of the Islamist terrorist groupings affiliated to the al Qaeda – Taliban – Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan complex, in Waziristan.

First published in South Asia Intelligence Review (SAIR), Weekly Assessments & Briefings, Volume 8, No. 13, October 5, 2009

This report offers an analytical overview of the Chechen Jihad arena, addressing the roots of Radical Jihad in Chechnya, the current situation in the area, and the major players (past and present) in the conflict. The report examines the link between Chechen Jihad and Global Jihad,  as well as recruitment mechanisms, training and funding aspects of the Chechen arena.