Israel’s Best Spy—or a Master Double Agent? New light from the Soviet angle on the mystery of Ashraf Marwan

Abstract

ABSTRACTResearch into the Soviet military intervention in the Egyptian-Israeli conflict of 1967–1973 has produced new evidence about the activity of Ashraf Marwan, an Egyptian official and son-in-law of President Gamal Abdel Nasser. His input related to the Soviet aspect tends to support the claim, in the continuing controversy in Israel about Marwan, that he served Egyptian interests—and, while they coincided—Soviet interests, rather than becoming a genuine Israeli informant. His disinformation helped to establish erroneous notions about the Soviet role and thus to cause Israeli unpreparedness for the 1973 Yom Kippur War.