Israel has recently been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems more interested in fortifying his political survival than acting in the best interests of the Israeli people. Leaving aside the unfolding terror in Gaza that is escalating into region wide instability, Israel’s old guardians continue their work.
Mossad’s cultural heritage goes back to antiquity, where the guardians of old did what had to be done for the Israeli people. They operate today against a backdrop of conflict and an apparently hostile regime. Prime Minister Netanyahu publically claimed Israeli security services did not warn him of the October 7th attacks on the Israeli people. This led to a sharp and very public rebuke.
Mossad leaders resign under protest
Mossad’s work, despite the difficult operating environment, has forged ahead. Prime Minister Nethanyu’s administration has seen senior Mossad leaders resign under protest, which, at the very least, is questionable. Mossad’s work continues in difficult circumstances despite these losses. Their operating environment is global, just like the fictitious area of operations for US Special Agent Jack Debaut in my debut novel, From Terror to Valor: Echoes and Shadows.
Like Jack’s transnational operating challenges, Mossad’s global challenges resonate similarly as they track and confront adversaries in the real world. Israel National News on May 30th of this year, reported a successful operation by the Mossad in partnership with the ISA and law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions.
According to news reports, they foiled a terror attack on the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. The operation uncovered a large terrorist infrastructure in Europe. This particular network has strong links to organized crime. It was also tasked with handling attacks on Israeli embassies on behalf of Iran. While neatly packaged with an Iranian label, the story, like that in my debut novel, is vastly more complex than it seems.
What both stories share is the malicious duplicity of groups hell bent on violence. Also of note is the substantial backing from malicious actors using these surrogate groups as proxies for a larger agenda. What is all too clear is that organized crime and state sponsored terrorism are no longer mutually exclusive terms.
Terror and Sweden’s gang wars
It’s reported that Rawa Majid, aka “Kurdish Fox” as leader of the criminal enterprise, “The Foxtrot Network”, is under the patronage of Iran. Some sources claim he has received assignments to carry out attacks on targets associated with Israel in Europe. This professional criminal and his group hold the reputation of being the largest criminal enterprise in Sweden.
They are heavily involved with Sweden’s gang wars, which struck at a level of violence not seen before in the country. Normally, gang violence, even at fever pitch, does not escalate to political attacks or state sponsored terrorism. Nowadays, a pattern of overlap between hostile state actors and organized crime is becoming all too clear.
What the criminal underworld once regarded as bad for business is now seen as desirable, which increases the stakes for everyone involved. This includes innocent bystanders, who once were relatively safe from professional state operatives as they plied their deadly trade.
State sponsored terror and criminality mix
As ranked amateurs take center stage via surrogate strike teams, the escalating attack presence within target countries raises the stakes for those tasked with confronting them. Jack Debaut’s ability to see outside the box and think creatively under pressure is not a bonus in the real world of today, it’s an utter requirement!
Swedens’ gang wars present a hyper fueled mystery, which Iran appears to have used to its own benefit. Like Jack Debaut’s story; if Sweden’s security services fearlessly strive to find out why it’s happening; they can source its common vectors and address the threat with the support of penetrating intelligence.
The future, despite what hapless gangsters think about their lives, is still all to play for! If we accept this reality, understand it, and turn up for a new test of wills, then we will bring home 1st prize. This new pattern pits us against an adversary who constantly changes up, as they seek an unfair fight with every advantage they can get. It also tells us how much they will gamble on our unwillingness to turn up for the match and compete for our own future. When we do, the odds shall return to our favor.
About the Author
John is a versatile author known for his gripping fiction narratives in the thriller, action, and suspense genres. His debut novel, From Terror to Valor: Echoes and Shadows, is coming soon to pre-order. With a background as a journalist since 2016, and expertise in cloud technologies as an engineer; John brings a unique blend of storytelling prowess and technical acumen to his work.
