The Angel

Uri Bar-Joseph's "The Angel: The Egyptian Spy Who Saved Israel" presents a meticulously researched account of one of the most significant espionage operations in modern Middle Eastern history. The book chronicles the extraordinary story of Ashraf Marwan, an Egyptian national who occupied the highest echelons of power in Cairo while simultaneously serving as a spy for Israeli intelligence during some of the most volatile years of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Marwan's position as son-in-law to Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and close confidant to his successor, Anwar Sadat, granted him unprecedented access to the most sensitive military and political secrets of the Egyptian government. Bar-Joseph, a professor of international relations and an established authority on Israeli intelligence history, draws upon newly declassified documents, interviews with intelligence officials, and extensive archival research to reconstruct this complex and controversial tale of espionage.

The narrative centers on the period leading up to and during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, when Marwan provided Israel with crucial intelligence about Egyptian military preparations. Bar-Joseph carefully examines how Marwan's warnings were received, analyzed, and sometimes tragically misinterpreted by Israeli intelligence services. The author demonstrates how even the most valuable intelligence can fail to prevent disaster when organizational dysfunction, cognitive biases, and human error interfere with proper assessment and response.

One of the book's significant strengths lies in its balanced treatment of a deeply contentious subject. The true nature of Marwan's loyalties has been debated for decades, with some arguing he was actually a double agent working primarily for Egypt. Bar-Joseph navigates these competing theories with scholarly rigor, presenting evidence and allowing readers to understand the complexity of the historical record. The author makes a compelling case for Marwan's authenticity as an Israeli asset while acknowledging the gaps and ambiguities that persist in the available evidence.

The book excels in its detailed reconstruction of the intelligence gathering and analysis process. Bar-Joseph provides insight into the mechanics of running a high-level spy, the challenges of communicating sensitive information, and the institutional pressures that shaped how Israeli decision-makers interpreted the intelligence they received. These sections offer valuable lessons about the inherent difficulties of intelligence work, where even accurate information must be correctly understood and acted upon to be effective.

Bar-Joseph also explores the human dimensions of Marwan's story, examining the possible motivations that might drive someone in such a privileged position to betray his country. While maintaining scholarly distance, the author considers various explanations, from ideological conviction to personal grievances and financial incentives. The portrait that emerges is of a complex individual whose true motivations may never be fully understood.

The narrative thoroughly documents the political and military context of the early 1970s, including the failed diplomacy, the military buildup along the Suez Canal, and the strategic calculations on both sides of the conflict. This historical backdrop proves essential for understanding the significance of Marwan's intelligence and the tragic consequences when it was not properly heeded. The author's expertise in this period of Middle Eastern history is evident throughout the work.

The book does not shy away from examining the failures and miscalculations that contributed to Israel's initial setbacks in the 1973 war. Bar-Joseph analyzes how organizational culture within Israeli intelligence services, overconfidence born from the decisive victory in 1967, and the political reluctance to mobilize reserves all contributed to a dangerous underestimation of the threat. These insights extend beyond historical interest to offer broader lessons about intelligence failures and organizational behavior.

The writing remains accessible to general readers while maintaining scholarly standards. Bar-Joseph presents complex intelligence operations and political maneuvering in clear, straightforward prose. The chronological structure helps readers follow the unfolding events, while the author provides sufficient context to make the material comprehensible to those unfamiliar with the intricacies of Middle Eastern politics during this period.

The book represents a significant contribution to the literature on both the Yom Kippur War and the history of espionage in the Middle East. By combining rigorous research with compelling storytelling, Bar-Joseph has produced a work that appeals to historians, intelligence professionals, and general readers interested in this dramatic chapter of modern history. The account of Marwan's espionage activities and their impact on one of the twentieth century's most consequential conflicts stands as both a gripping spy story and an important historical study.