Any success by security forces in apprehending dangerous gangs or spy cells is commendable, given their role in protecting the nation from serious threats. Infiltrating such cells requires significant effort, knowledge, and risk. However, it is not enough to simply arrest those involved. It is equally important to understand their motives, work to eliminate the environment that fosters their crimes, and address the societal flaws that lead to their deviance. What drives a citizen, who supposedly enjoys all the benefits of their country, to commit treason and collaborate with the enemy? There is no single reason, but a combination of psychological, self-serving, and ideological motives, the most important of which are:
First, a feeling of injustice or exclusion, or a sense that their rights have been violated, leading them to seek revenge against the state by allying with its adversaries.
Second, greed for substantial financial gain or the promise of privileges and protection under the party they collaborate with against their country, found in those whose selfishness outweighs all other motivations.
Third, intellectual or ideological convictions, such as loyalty to an international ideological system like communism, can lead individuals to justify collaborating with the enemy as serving higher goals, as seen in the Cambridge spy cell’s cooperation with the Soviet Union.
Fourth, personal hatred or a desire for revenge stemming from experiences with state institutions or family losses can create resentment, making a person willing to ally with any hostile party, even an external enemy.
Fifth, enemy intelligence agencies exploit scandals, debts, or moral and legal transgressions to recruit individuals.
Sixth, psychological reasons, such as the desire for recognition. A feeling of insignificance drives some individuals to become a “reliable source” or a “secret agent.”
Seventh, religious or sectarian loyalty, which some people place above loyalty to the nation and its leadership.
Eighth, women may play a role, as the French proverb says, “Cherchez la femme” (Search for the woman).
This was evident during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, including the scandal involving British Defense Secretary Profumo and Christine Keeler. It is not easy for any country to completely protect itself from traitors and spies, but its institutions and laws can minimize such breaches through strict and effective legislation and intelligent, well-trained security forces.
Most importantly, it requires adopting a vital, long-term, multi-layered national strategy with full government support. This strategy should promote justice among citizens in terms of rights and duties, equality in dignity, loyalty to the state and its leadership, and respect for ethnic, religious, and sectarian diversity. This can be achieved through a “National Charter for Tolerance” that is endorsed and supported by the government, serving as a reference for all.
This requires instilling national identity through educational curricula, making it take precedence over all other identities, and establishing the principle - Our homeland is one, our leadership is one, our flag is one, and our loyalty is one. There must be zero tolerance for those who incite hatred against a tribe, sect, or ethnicity, or who call for violence.
At the same time, it is essential to provide legal protections for freedom of expression and objective criticism. The success of our vigilant security services in apprehending cells accused of collaborating with the enemy does not mean the danger has passed; it requires a firm yet wise approach.
By Ahmad alsarraf email: [email protected]
