Mossad

by Michael Bar-Zohar

General Hassan Teh- rani Moghaddam, the "father" of the Shehab long-range missiles, and the man in charge of Iran's missile program, was killed in the explosion.

Hoping to obtain the approval of the Egyptians, the West pressured President Mubarak, its strongest ally in the Arab world, to step down.

In Syria, President Assad is massacring his own people. The moderate nations like Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Emirates of the Persian Gulf feel betrayed by their Western allies. And the hopes for human rights, women's rights, and democratic laws and rule that inspired these landmark revolutions have been swept away by fanatic religious parties, better organized and better connected with the masses.

These missions shaped Israel's fate and, in many ways, the fate of the world. And yet, for Mossad agents, what they all share is a deep, idealistic love of their country, a total devotion to its existence and survival, a readiness to assume the most dramatic risks and face the ultimate dangers. For the sake of Israel.

To protect civilians, the state needs sometimes to do things that are contrary to democratic behavior. It is true that in units like ours the outer limits can become blurred. That's why you must be sure that your people are of the best quality. The dirtiest actions should be carried out by the most honest men."

Khan had stolen the centrifuges' blueprints from Eurenco, a European company where he worked in the early 1970s, and then started manufacturing his own in Pakistan. Khan soon turned into a "merchant of death," selling his methods, formulas, and centrifuges. Iran became his major client. Libya and North Korea were also clients.

Finally, on February 4, 2004, a tearful Dr. Khan appeared on Pakistani TV and confessed that he indeed had sold know-how, expertise, and centrifuges to Libya, North Korea, and Iran, making millions in the process. The Pakistani government hastened to grant full pardon to "Dr. Death," the father of their nuclear bomb.

"Without stratagems would a people fall, and deliverance is in a wise counsel."

spare no effort, no means, and no sacrifice, to bring our people back home.

where expert aircraft builder Willy Messerschmitt was assembling an Egyptian jet fighter. Messerschmitt was the father of the deadly fighter planes of the Luftwaffe, the Nazi air force, during World War II.

Sometimes the missions to bring home a nation's own are the most meaningful.

The prime minister briefed opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu and received his wholehearted support.

In thirty-four hours, 14,400 Jews were brought to the airport. With lightning speed, they boarded the aircraft and took off for Israel. A world record was broken during the operation: an El Al Boeing 747 took on board 1,087 immigrants; but when it landed, it carried 1,088 people. A baby had been born during the flight.