International terrorism, intelligence gathering and covert operations are all phenomenon, which intrigue the minds of many people both young and old. This paper is a historical recount and study on the various elements that comprise an international operation. It is also a vehicle for discussing the effects of intelligence agencies around the world, with particular interest in the CIA, Mossad, and KGB. This paper will show the various results of failed missions on the international community, examining whether the end justified the mean. Furthermore, it will also provide a deeper understanding to the way in which an operation works as developed through the mind of the agent, as well as the underlying reason for a particular action.

In order to comprehend the following paragraphs one must have a knowledge of the terms which may be used when discussing espionage, international terrorism and intelligence agencies throughout the world. First is the spy, agent or combatant. This is the person who carries out a mission. He/she does not necessarily work alone. Depending on the mission one or many spies may contribute in various ways. The entire team of spies, combatants or agents is

Another prominent member of the world's counter-terrorism organizations is Israel's Mossad. The Mossad has been attempting to curb terrorist actions since its statehood was declared in 1948. It is almost a doppelganger of the CIA. However, Israel's reliance on Mossad is substantially greater because of their hostile neighbors. The Mossad, together with the CIA, have combined in reducing terrorist activity by innumerable quantities.

Osama bin Laden is the terrorist accused of organizing the original terrorist bombings of the two American Embassies. The CIA, through intercepted communication has gathered substantial information on him, almost enough to bring him to trial . But, in between the developing information for his capture and indictment, the CIA has toyed with a few ideas that would bring bin Laden to a halt. The most prominent idea was that of freezing his financial accounts. Through the aid of a Saudi Arabian agent, the CIA has discussed the action but still needs further evidence before proceeding . Notwithstanding, this should soon arrive at the feet of the CIA through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI. They had a US informant in the Kenya cell of Osama bin Laden's terrorist network when the Embassy blew up with him inside. The mole, identified as "CS-1" (confidential source) for security reasons, has given the FBI substantial evidence to the inner workings of bin Laden .

Now that the reader has a basic knowledge of the vocabulary necessary to understand the information to be read, this person must first comprehend the history of espionage and terrorism. Although espionage dates as far back as biblical times when Moses sent spies into the land of Israel, this paper is only concerned with more contemporary organized espionage operations. The first of such operations were done in Germany, accomplished during the dawn of the Cold-War-Era.

The Mossad has accomplished a plethora of missions similar to the one briefly described above. Further, Mossad has nearly perfected the art of clandestine assassinations. Regardless of the prestige which they have amassed over the decades, the Mossad has failed before, as has the CIA innumerable of times.

Israel's Mossad has also had it share of missions that were found out too early. A bungled assassination attempt in Jordan against Khaled Meshal, an officer of the well-known terrorist organization Hamas, led to a multitude of counter actions by various nations on the globe. The attempt was made in retaliation to the murder of two Israeli guards at their embassy in Amman, Jordan. An unidentified gunman who escaped without much information being gathered on him killed them. The Mossad then tried to retaliate by poisoning Meshal. The Jordanian government then caught the two agents that failed in their mission. An international uproar ensued, and a series of diplomatic ties were strained as new evidence came forth. Since the agents were carrying false Canadian passports, Canada recalled its envoy in the diplomatic tumult. President Clinton also criticized Israel and interceded further by obtaining the antidote to the poison .

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Approximate Word count = 2907
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)