The most daring mission in Mossad history: Operation Diamond
In1966 the Mossad convinced and Iraqi air force pilot to defect with one of the most advanced weapons in the Arab world at the time- a soviet made fighter jet
Assessment
The defection of an Iraqi pilot with a Soviet MiG-21 was a critical intelligence coup for Israel, granting access to the Arab world's most advanced fighter jet. This operation exemplified Mossad's ability to exploit human assets for strategic gain, offering a direct window into adversary capabilities. The story highlights a high-risk, high-reward espionage model that shaped Cold War-era covert actions in the Middle East.