HUMINT Operations in Israel Analysis

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Human Intelligence (HUMINT) is one of the oldest and most effective information gathering methods used by society. Most countries rely heavily on HUMINT, in both military and law enforcement, operations and their successes can be credited mainly to the application of exceptional HUMINT. The United States has developed multiple intelligence disciplines over time, yet even now we still utilize HUMINT as the preferred method of collection while supporting it with other intelligence collection platforms. HUMINT operations in Israel and West Bank settlements would require that HUMINT collectors to have a solid understanding of the individual or organization they are targeting, and how to effectively employ their assets to obtain the information desired to disassemble the Kahane Chai and Kach groups. Collectors would have to take the local culture, language used, religion, and a multitude of other key factors into consideration to ensure optimal results from their collection efforts.

Area of Operation

Israel is located in the Middle East. The country is bordered by Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the Eats, Egypt to the southwest, and the Mediterranean Sea to the West. The width of the country can be crossed by car in 90 minutes and from the north to south would take about 9 hours to drive. The coastal plains run along the Mediterranean Sea. The coastal plains are home to more than half of Israel’s 7 million people and include major urban centers, and most of the country’s industry and tourist facilities. The North is covered in sandstone cliffs and sandy beaches (Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2013). The climate is mostly hot and dry in the southern and eastern desert areas. Israel is covered with low...

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...they are being deployed to, so that they are able to gain the rapport need to collect the maximum amount of Intelligence.

Summary

The biggest constraint to military source operations is the limited number of U.S. military personnel allowed in the country. An increase in military source operations and liaison with local security forces would be the best way to utilize HUMINT in order to operate in Israel. Collectors must have an understanding of the Country and the enemy being targeted. This would allow the collectors to effectively employ their assets in order to obtain critical information needed to fully expose the organization. Trained HUMINT collectors, combined with the other intelligence disciplines can and will have a positive impact in Israel on the Political, Military, Economy, Social, Information, Infrastructure, Physical Environment and Time.

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