A recent Hebrew-language report revealed that Israel's greatest strength — its mind-bending innovation — appeared to be its greatest weakness in the run-up to October 7th.
Yep, "the Secret Tool"! The US deep down that path, and it definitely doesn't bode well for us if things go hot. We are in such a shape that we cannot even supply 155mm artillery shells at the rate Ukraine needs them. For over a decade now it's been all about high-end technology. It has a place, but so go the basics.
Excellent piece. I loved the history of Israel’s intel services. And the self assessment of ‘what went wrong.’ So the man on the street corner with the fedora and cigarette was what was missing…😎
I was in technology for 25 years and I know all about the arrogance of that world. I totally understand why they took their eye off the ball. To a man with a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. An engineer thinks every problem can be solved with his code.
It is said that a country always prepares for its previous war. Hopefully we will have learned our lesson enough to realize that not everything can be or should be done with technology.
As always, a very interesting article for which I thank you......unfortunately. we do have some congressman and congresswoman who would like to put an end to the United States financial help to our beloved Israel.( they should not be in Congress !!! )
It's almost a year of the tragic October 7......we don't even know if the remaining hostages are alive (hopefully the are )......let's wish for a Shana Tova with PEACE and VICTORY and CECHOL..
The T and T article is in many ways true but more so after a couple of successful anti Hezbollah intel coups. The big game is far from over. The innovation is overrated.But the ego patting oneself is massive. The Oct 7 military debacle and lack of organization management maturity throughout history is another T , a Testament to Hubris and Arrogance of inward looking committees and their decisions. The shtetlhood has not been confronted yet, it is keeping peoplehood from arriving.
Joshua, my boy, What a wonderfull detailed and informative background account of how Oct 7th happened and why intelligence missed it. Basically, in a nutshell, we relied on our superb technology and overlooked the results of our other intelligence gathering methods. It costs us greatly but maybe this wake up call will help us with the most important military goal we have to undertake in the very near future. The destruction of Iran's nuclear capability. This will have to happen soon as every day brings them closer. Personally, I believe that as much as we say that we are bombing Lebanon because of the missile attacks and the displacement of 60,000 from the North. I feel Israel is also destroying the launchgers because they are getting ready for a preemptive attack against Iran. IMHO, the attack will happen after the US election as I believe Israel is hoping Trump will win so they will not do it alone.
Lastly, when I read the article, I also am left with a feeling of sadness. All this money, and all this incredible wealth of ingenuity and brainpower are all being spend on Israels fight to survive. Imagine an Israel at peace and all this money and brainpower spent on medical advancement and innovation for the improvement of mankind. Where would we be if that were the case? Maybe a cure for dementia, or cancer or the fight against climate change etc. etc. What a bloody bloody shame!
Israel did have remarkable intelligence on Oct 7, witness the reports of lower-level soldiers that unusual Hamas activity was taking place and that thousands of Israeli SIM cards were being activated in Gaza. It is now a public scandal in Israel that all of these were ignored by higher-ups in the military and security establishment.
In particular, the warning about the SIM cards was ignored until the next morning, which was Oct 7.
Also a problem is that regardless of how good the intelligence is, it becomes worthless without an effective plan of action. On Oct 7 exactly **two** Apache attack helicopters were on fast-response in Israel. There was no coordinated action for most of that day in bringing organized reinforcements to the Gaza border. Most security teams did not even have access to their weapons (in locked-up storage).
Yep, "the Secret Tool"! The US deep down that path, and it definitely doesn't bode well for us if things go hot. We are in such a shape that we cannot even supply 155mm artillery shells at the rate Ukraine needs them. For over a decade now it's been all about high-end technology. It has a place, but so go the basics.
Well written, Joshua. Thank you.
Excellent piece. I loved the history of Israel’s intel services. And the self assessment of ‘what went wrong.’ So the man on the street corner with the fedora and cigarette was what was missing…😎
Great article.
I was in technology for 25 years and I know all about the arrogance of that world. I totally understand why they took their eye off the ball. To a man with a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. An engineer thinks every problem can be solved with his code.
It is said that a country always prepares for its previous war. Hopefully we will have learned our lesson enough to realize that not everything can be or should be done with technology.
As always, a very interesting article for which I thank you......unfortunately. we do have some congressman and congresswoman who would like to put an end to the United States financial help to our beloved Israel.( they should not be in Congress !!! )
It's almost a year of the tragic October 7......we don't even know if the remaining hostages are alive (hopefully the are )......let's wish for a Shana Tova with PEACE and VICTORY and CECHOL..
The T and T article is in many ways true but more so after a couple of successful anti Hezbollah intel coups. The big game is far from over. The innovation is overrated.But the ego patting oneself is massive. The Oct 7 military debacle and lack of organization management maturity throughout history is another T , a Testament to Hubris and Arrogance of inward looking committees and their decisions. The shtetlhood has not been confronted yet, it is keeping peoplehood from arriving.
Joshua, my boy, What a wonderfull detailed and informative background account of how Oct 7th happened and why intelligence missed it. Basically, in a nutshell, we relied on our superb technology and overlooked the results of our other intelligence gathering methods. It costs us greatly but maybe this wake up call will help us with the most important military goal we have to undertake in the very near future. The destruction of Iran's nuclear capability. This will have to happen soon as every day brings them closer. Personally, I believe that as much as we say that we are bombing Lebanon because of the missile attacks and the displacement of 60,000 from the North. I feel Israel is also destroying the launchgers because they are getting ready for a preemptive attack against Iran. IMHO, the attack will happen after the US election as I believe Israel is hoping Trump will win so they will not do it alone.
Lastly, when I read the article, I also am left with a feeling of sadness. All this money, and all this incredible wealth of ingenuity and brainpower are all being spend on Israels fight to survive. Imagine an Israel at peace and all this money and brainpower spent on medical advancement and innovation for the improvement of mankind. Where would we be if that were the case? Maybe a cure for dementia, or cancer or the fight against climate change etc. etc. What a bloody bloody shame!
papa j
Israel did have remarkable intelligence on Oct 7, witness the reports of lower-level soldiers that unusual Hamas activity was taking place and that thousands of Israeli SIM cards were being activated in Gaza. It is now a public scandal in Israel that all of these were ignored by higher-ups in the military and security establishment.
In particular, the warning about the SIM cards was ignored until the next morning, which was Oct 7.
Also a problem is that regardless of how good the intelligence is, it becomes worthless without an effective plan of action. On Oct 7 exactly **two** Apache attack helicopters were on fast-response in Israel. There was no coordinated action for most of that day in bringing organized reinforcements to the Gaza border. Most security teams did not even have access to their weapons (in locked-up storage).
https://www.timesofisrael.com/surveillance-soldiers-say-oct-7-warnings-ignored-charge-sexism-played-a-role/