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An intelligence failure of colossal proportions, they say. So it would seem, if you believe the primary goal of intelligence agencies is collecting intelligence.

But as we have seen in numerous countries for decades, that is far from the case. Study any coup or attempted coup, ancient or modern, and we find the hand of intelligence agencies taking on the role of instigator or sponsor.

Count the terrorism trials that collapsed because it turned out the suspect was collaborating with the intelligence services, acting with their blessing or under their supervision.

Never take anything on face value. If events seem to you to fly in the face of common sense, you may be onto something there. In fact, your logic is probably flawless.

To you it’s like the weakest kid in the class throwing a pea in the eye of the school bully, knowing full well that he will retaliate by beating him to a pulp. It makes no sense, and you’re right.

The intelligence services have agents and informants crawling all over these organisations. It is inconceivable that they were caught off guard.

Warmongers will always find a way to spark the wars they desire. Those that want war will get it. And that right there is the real failure of intelligence. Intelligence failure, indeed.