Every time there is a terrorist attack, the public wonders why it could not have been avoided. Intelligence services have the mission to anticipate and prevent threats. This documentary analyses the jihadist attacks in Europe from March 11th 2004 until the summer of 2016 and takes a look at the work and the mistakes made by the intelligence services in Spain, France and Belgium. Spies are not what they used to be is also a reflection on whether or not these services are needed, their transparency and how they adapt to the 21st century world.