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Profits of War: Inside the Secret U.S.-Israeli Arms Network
In this seminal work originally published in 1992, an insider account from the man who paid off the Iranians for the American hostages Ari Ben-Menashe spent more than a decade in the innermost circles of Israeli intelligence. He was privy to the secret negotiations with the Iranians to delay the release of the American hostages until after the election of Ronald Reagan, he enlisted Robert Gates in the transfer of the $52 million payoff to Iran, and was Robert Maxwell's handler. Ben-Menashe brokered secret Israeli arms sales on four continents and briefed George Bush on the vast arms network. He saw Israel's own nuclear arsenal develop, and watched his masters sponsor monstrous terrorist acts in the name of a higher good. Then, as he questioned the immorality around him, he was cut off and set up. This is the full story of the man who oversaw the accumulation of hundreds of millions of dollars in CIA and Israeli intelligence slush funds.
409 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 23, 2008
"Ari Ben-Menashe is one of the most dangerous reegade agents ever to defect from Israeli intelligence. It is hard to think of anyone who has told us more about the secrets of the intelligence world than he. His charges have been corroborated." - Craig Unger, in the Village Voice
Both Bush and the CIA tried to squash this book. It will be interesting to read.
Both Bush and the CIA tried to squash this book. It will be interesting to read.
September 11, 2017
Ari must be the most courageous man alive today. Not only did he live a life more dangerous than James Bond, but he survived. Not before fronting the might of the US-Israeli war machine, connecting with Mossad, arms dealing, chemicals for warfare, touching the empire of Robert Maxwell, dictators in Eastern Europe and guerillas in South America, the list goes on. It is a story that makes you sizzle with excitement, as you gasp for breath at the fate Ari Ben-Menashe finds himself in. On the run, under threat of death!
As an author who is often derided for writing about conspiracy, I am always looking for evidence to counter argue against those who believe the world described in my books is hyperbole. But Ari Ben-Menashe's life is proof that the arms world is one of profit before people.
Perhaps one of the more intriguing aspects to his story is his birth in Iran, to Iraqi-Jewish parents. The book explains all and is a document for historical record. I would like to meet Ari Ben-Menashe one day and just look him in the eye and say, "Wow".
As an author who is often derided for writing about conspiracy, I am always looking for evidence to counter argue against those who believe the world described in my books is hyperbole. But Ari Ben-Menashe's life is proof that the arms world is one of profit before people.
Perhaps one of the more intriguing aspects to his story is his birth in Iran, to Iraqi-Jewish parents. The book explains all and is a document for historical record. I would like to meet Ari Ben-Menashe one day and just look him in the eye and say, "Wow".
August 9, 2024
So many corrupt governments around the world. Who would have thought?
April 26, 2021
A real life Le Carré novel, Ben Menashe lifts the veil on the shadowy world of spycraft, foreign policy, and intelligence. Although the book was extremely illuminating, I ultimately became depressed after reading the first few chapters and struggled finishing the entire story. If Ben Menashe's allegations are true, then a small cabal of greedy psychopaths are to blame for many of the most prominent global events of the 1980s (wars, economic collapses, political scandals, etc) and caused the deaths of thousands of Iranians, Iraqis, and South Americans.
If you are an optimistic idealist who likes to believe that a modicum of good exists in the world (as I was at the onset of reading this book), don't read this - it will only leave you disillusioned, depressed, and jaded about the state of humanity.
If you are an optimistic idealist who likes to believe that a modicum of good exists in the world (as I was at the onset of reading this book), don't read this - it will only leave you disillusioned, depressed, and jaded about the state of humanity.
February 8, 2021
An interesting reveal on the behind the scenes dealings in arms, dirty money, illicit arms and political manipulations. The expose is very much told as a matter of fact personal experience and it is up to the reader to fill in a lot of the blanks.
If anyone is sure there are things happening behind the scenes in the middle East and the US (actually, is there anyone who DOESNT think there are?) and who burns to know what they are - this book is for you. Some of the events in it may be disturbing to anyone with a deep seated faith in authority and politicians.
If anyone is sure there are things happening behind the scenes in the middle East and the US (actually, is there anyone who DOESNT think there are?) and who burns to know what they are - this book is for you. Some of the events in it may be disturbing to anyone with a deep seated faith in authority and politicians.
August 31, 2025
Long ago as a teenager I was prepared to go to Vietnam to fight, that it was the moral thing to do, a responsibility of citizenship. The draft was by lottery and by chance my birthdate received a number of 242. I did not go.
The volunteer army has long replaced the draft. Now, at age 75, I cannot understand how anyone familiar with the history of the United States since World War II would of their own free will sign up to serve. There has been no conflict involving US forces since 1945 even remotely related to the national security of the country, with the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars after 9/11 being the height of absurdity. Those who served, thinking it was for their country when it was actually for an administration of liars, accomplished nothing, if they came home alive.
Intimately connected to US foreign policy since 1947, when it was created, has been the CIA, doing dirty work about which the American people are never informed and that has resulted in so many thousands dying in distant lands. Attempted reforms such as the Church Commission in the 1970's have accomplished nothing. The dirty word goes on.
Closely involved with the CIA has been Israel's Mossad, not infrequently assisting in dirty work but never, except in the case of the Iran/Contra operation, revealed to be doing so. Mossad has earned a reputation for assassinations and destructive operations for Israel, particularly against Iran.
Ari Ben-Menashe was an agent for Israeli military intelligence, not Mossad, but closely associated with it, allowing Ben-Menashe to be on the council, including the Prime Minister (Yitzhak Shamir at the time) that debated and approved of undercover operations
In contrast to recent events in which Israel has attacked Iran and even convinced the US to join in, much of the story told in Profits of War is about Israel's efforts to aid Iran in the Iran-Iraq war in order to keep Saddam Hussein form winning. This included scouring the world to obtain weapons and spare parts for Iran. This was done with the knowledge of the US and included getting derelict US made F4 fighter/bombers from Vietnam, refurbishing them in Israel and delivering them to the Islamic Republic for a very handsome profit. All kinds of weapons were bought for Iran from countries around the world that were happy to get something for aging munitions.
Iran being desperate for weapons, it could be charged almost anything. As this dealing was going on, so was the US Iran/Contra operation of Oliver North with each pouring money into separate "slush funds" held in Israel or Eastern European countries. The Labor Party in Israel was in with the US operation while the competing Likud Party was running the purely Israeli operation. The millions of dollars pouring in from the US operation were to be used to buy weapons for the Nicaraguan Contras before the plan was revealed. The successful Israeli operation provided funds for settlements in the West Bank among other things.
Ben Menashe was a vital part of Israel's clandestine program to build nuclear weapons, arranging for the transfer of rare substances to Israel from Peru. The author also was aware of the spying on the US done by Jonathan Pollard for Israel. I was surprised to learn that none other than Reagan's National Security Adviser "Bud" McFarlane was part of the scheme. Israel would tell McFarlane the specific information it wanted Pollard to obtain and he would indirectly get the request to Pollard. Yes, it was treason, but McFarlane was able to escape charges being brought when Pollard went to prison.
The full story of the successful effort by the Republicans to keep the American hostages imprisoned until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan is detailed, George H.W. Bush fully involved in the deliberate delay, but never facing any consequences for doing so.
The book is a fascinating look at undercover work. An operative can never be completely safe or put total trust in anyone. Who is so-and-so really working for? What is his or her motivation? Who is being paid by who? Who can be let in on an operation? In short, an agent is always moving in an underworld where wealth and sex are easily found but life can be very cheap and, as Ben Menashe discovers, when the heat is on superiors they may well hang you out to dry.
Dedicating his life to serving his country, Israel, Ben Menashe tells in detail how the world of espionage works providing an excellent read. He provides the following insight...
"My experience allowed me to see firsthand how secret intelligence agencies increasingly dominate the foreign policy of nations like the US and Israel. Whereas once intelligence was supposed to inform leaders and guide them to making policy decisions, today covert operations and foreign policy are too often inseparable, one and the same...A handful of people never elected by anyone are now able to manipulate politics."
As Americans witness the "Project 2025" agenda being followed by President Trump who took no part in creating the project, Ari Ben Menashe's words could not be more appropriate.
The volunteer army has long replaced the draft. Now, at age 75, I cannot understand how anyone familiar with the history of the United States since World War II would of their own free will sign up to serve. There has been no conflict involving US forces since 1945 even remotely related to the national security of the country, with the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars after 9/11 being the height of absurdity. Those who served, thinking it was for their country when it was actually for an administration of liars, accomplished nothing, if they came home alive.
Intimately connected to US foreign policy since 1947, when it was created, has been the CIA, doing dirty work about which the American people are never informed and that has resulted in so many thousands dying in distant lands. Attempted reforms such as the Church Commission in the 1970's have accomplished nothing. The dirty word goes on.
Closely involved with the CIA has been Israel's Mossad, not infrequently assisting in dirty work but never, except in the case of the Iran/Contra operation, revealed to be doing so. Mossad has earned a reputation for assassinations and destructive operations for Israel, particularly against Iran.
Ari Ben-Menashe was an agent for Israeli military intelligence, not Mossad, but closely associated with it, allowing Ben-Menashe to be on the council, including the Prime Minister (Yitzhak Shamir at the time) that debated and approved of undercover operations
In contrast to recent events in which Israel has attacked Iran and even convinced the US to join in, much of the story told in Profits of War is about Israel's efforts to aid Iran in the Iran-Iraq war in order to keep Saddam Hussein form winning. This included scouring the world to obtain weapons and spare parts for Iran. This was done with the knowledge of the US and included getting derelict US made F4 fighter/bombers from Vietnam, refurbishing them in Israel and delivering them to the Islamic Republic for a very handsome profit. All kinds of weapons were bought for Iran from countries around the world that were happy to get something for aging munitions.
Iran being desperate for weapons, it could be charged almost anything. As this dealing was going on, so was the US Iran/Contra operation of Oliver North with each pouring money into separate "slush funds" held in Israel or Eastern European countries. The Labor Party in Israel was in with the US operation while the competing Likud Party was running the purely Israeli operation. The millions of dollars pouring in from the US operation were to be used to buy weapons for the Nicaraguan Contras before the plan was revealed. The successful Israeli operation provided funds for settlements in the West Bank among other things.
Ben Menashe was a vital part of Israel's clandestine program to build nuclear weapons, arranging for the transfer of rare substances to Israel from Peru. The author also was aware of the spying on the US done by Jonathan Pollard for Israel. I was surprised to learn that none other than Reagan's National Security Adviser "Bud" McFarlane was part of the scheme. Israel would tell McFarlane the specific information it wanted Pollard to obtain and he would indirectly get the request to Pollard. Yes, it was treason, but McFarlane was able to escape charges being brought when Pollard went to prison.
The full story of the successful effort by the Republicans to keep the American hostages imprisoned until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan is detailed, George H.W. Bush fully involved in the deliberate delay, but never facing any consequences for doing so.
The book is a fascinating look at undercover work. An operative can never be completely safe or put total trust in anyone. Who is so-and-so really working for? What is his or her motivation? Who is being paid by who? Who can be let in on an operation? In short, an agent is always moving in an underworld where wealth and sex are easily found but life can be very cheap and, as Ben Menashe discovers, when the heat is on superiors they may well hang you out to dry.
Dedicating his life to serving his country, Israel, Ben Menashe tells in detail how the world of espionage works providing an excellent read. He provides the following insight...
"My experience allowed me to see firsthand how secret intelligence agencies increasingly dominate the foreign policy of nations like the US and Israel. Whereas once intelligence was supposed to inform leaders and guide them to making policy decisions, today covert operations and foreign policy are too often inseparable, one and the same...A handful of people never elected by anyone are now able to manipulate politics."
As Americans witness the "Project 2025" agenda being followed by President Trump who took no part in creating the project, Ari Ben Menashe's words could not be more appropriate.
April 17, 2023
Would rate as 4.5 if I could.
The beginning of this book starts off tediously mentioning many names and moving parts. But you soon realise that is the necessity authenticity Ben-Menashe needs to earn your trust and present his legitimacy. I’m not sure he needed to mention as many names as he did as he clearly didn’t just burn bridges, he likely scorched whole towns with the names.
But Ben-Menashe had good reason in a business where deception is the name of the job.
When reading this, stick with it. The end gets more and more riveting as each page could clearly have a movie or Tv episode made about it.
The book exposes a great deal of how the world works in the shadowy corners of government and business. Separately I also think Ben-Menashe’s writing (whilst it’s matter of fact tone and earlier critical point cost a half point) is very succinct and well articulated. There’s a lot of detail that he adds to each page in the shortest way possible.
All in all, ended up thoroughly enjoying this read and learnt a great deal about some secret government dealings and the political incentives (and often personal profit and greed) that sparked them.
The beginning of this book starts off tediously mentioning many names and moving parts. But you soon realise that is the necessity authenticity Ben-Menashe needs to earn your trust and present his legitimacy. I’m not sure he needed to mention as many names as he did as he clearly didn’t just burn bridges, he likely scorched whole towns with the names.
But Ben-Menashe had good reason in a business where deception is the name of the job.
When reading this, stick with it. The end gets more and more riveting as each page could clearly have a movie or Tv episode made about it.
The book exposes a great deal of how the world works in the shadowy corners of government and business. Separately I also think Ben-Menashe’s writing (whilst it’s matter of fact tone and earlier critical point cost a half point) is very succinct and well articulated. There’s a lot of detail that he adds to each page in the shortest way possible.
All in all, ended up thoroughly enjoying this read and learnt a great deal about some secret government dealings and the political incentives (and often personal profit and greed) that sparked them.
August 31, 2024
An israeli ERD officer's journey through secret arms trades during 1970-1990 period, describing multiferious arms supply to Iraq-Iran war. Ari Ben Menashe takes the readers to Contras ans Sandinistas in Nicaragua, Shining Path in Peru, Pinochet ragime in Chili, coup in Paraguay, Tamils in Srilanka and big stakeholders of arms trades of the world. Irans hostage crisis and Reagan's part in it was an interesting topic. The book also depicts israeli undercover operations throughout the world during that time. You already know how much complicated foreign relations are, yet after reading this book you will wonder how more complicated they actually were.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews