So I did commit espionage op a few times now, and each time all it says is that my spies were able to steal 0 technology points. In each case, I was initiating the espionage op on a target who had more acres than me, fewer spies, and lots of research. So why is it each time my spies were able to steal '0' tech points? Is the op broken or something?

How much tech do you have? You need tech as well

So when it says my spies stole '0' tech points, it means the op was unsuccessful?

My opponents' spy effectiveness tech was same as mine.

I've tried a few more times to commit espionage and all it says is that my spies were able to steal 0 technology points.

I've have come to the conclusion that the espionage op is disabled. Is it disabled because I'm playing in the tournament game? Does it for other people in the tournament?

Does anyone know where I can find out more information about this issue?

This question was already answered if you'd been paying attention. You have to have some tech to be able to steal tech. If your tech levels are 0, then you will steal 0 points of tech. Stealing complex missile targeting algorithms would be pointless for a civilization that had not yet invented the wheel.

Yeah, if you can't make your own fire, you can't steal the technology to make an internal combustion engine. You gotta have tech to steal tech, just like you gotta have jets to blow up jets, or have troops to run off troops.

Cerberus does have a point. Why should we need tech to steal tech?

Cerebus explained this in his post... read again.

Oh- I thought he was being sarcastic. I never knew you needed jets to use bomb airbases.

yip, always have, always will :)