In a recent episode of the PBD Podcast, former CIA intelligence officer Andrew Bustamante made pointed remarks about Israel’s cyber capabilities, describing them as more advanced and potentially more dangerous to American interests than those of China.
Bustamante stated that Israel possesses the ability to penetrate core U.S. infrastructure, including cyber systems and the nation’s water and power grids. “Israel can hack into our cyber systems. They can hack into our core water power grid,” he said. He went on to argue that Israel is “far more capable than China is in terms of cyber capability” and that the U.S. consistently underestimates Israeli technological prowess.
When asked whether he views Israel as an ally, Bustamante offered a pragmatic assessment focused on national self-interest. “I see them as a country that is out for their own best national interests,” he replied. He defended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent decisions, saying they are “putting Israel in a safer position for the next two to three decades.”
Bustamante further suggested that Israel should be handled with caution in intelligence partnerships. He referenced “multiple intelligence surveys” indicating that Israel cannot be trusted as an ally to the same degree as countries like France, Italy, or Germany. “They have to be constantly put at arm’s length because they have so much capability that they have been trained, given, granted in partnership with us with so few direct threats,” he explained.
The former CIA officer’s comments extend to broader comparisons of Israel’s strength. According to the discussion, he positioned Israel’s capabilities as surpassing not only China in certain cyber domains but also presenting significant challenges relative to other major powers like Russia, emphasizing Israel’s sophisticated intelligence apparatus and operational effectiveness despite its size.
Bustamante’s appearance comes amid ongoing global tensions involving Israel, including its military operations against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian-backed groups. His remarks highlight a realist view of international relations: even close partners prioritize their own survival and strategic advantage.
While Israel and the United States maintain a strong alliance, including substantial military aid, intelligence sharing, and joint defense projects, espionage among allies is not uncommon. Historical cases involving multiple nations, including Israel, have strained but not broken the partnership.
U.S. intelligence agencies have long ranked China as the primary cyber threat to American infrastructure and intellectual property, citing state-sponsored hacking campaigns on a massive scale. Israel’s cyber program, anchored by Unit 8200 and a robust private-sector ecosystem, is widely respected for its precision and innovation, particularly in defensive and targeted offensive operations.
Bustamante’s perspective underscores a recurring theme in intelligence circles: capability and intent must both be weighed when assessing partners and adversaries. As he noted, nations act in their own interests, a principle that applies universally, including to the United States.
The full episode of the PBD Podcast with Andrew Bustamante is available on YouTube and major podcast platforms.
