THE MOSSAD FILES with Dan Raviv

Dan Raviv
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From the co-author of the best selling book, "Every Spy a Prince: The Complete History of Israel's Intelligence Community," and the more recent non-fiction, "Spies Against Armageddon: Inside Israel's Secret Wars," this is a weekly podcast series -- delivering insights into the volatile events of the world's most fascinating region: the Middle East.  Dan Raviv was a foreign correspondent and Washington radio anchor for CBS News for over 40 years -- much of that career in the Tel Aviv and London bureaus. He and Yossi Melman wrote 5 books about Israeli espionage, security, and diplomacy. Yossi helped launch THE MOSSAD FILES podcast in February 2025. Each week, joined by well-informed guests, Dan discusses the latest developments involving Israel, its security agencies, Palestinians, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, and how the United States and other countries are involved. Inevitably, the turmoil of Israeli politics creeps into the conversation. The most recent Raviv-Melman book is a history of the Mossad and the other security agencies, with chapters ranging from "Stop Iran!" to considerations of Israel's future. The book is SPIES AGAINST ARMAGEDDON. To purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Spies-Against-Armageddon-Israels-Updated/dp/0985437898/ref=sr_1_1 Our aim is to illuminate parts of the Middle East's unending drama that are often misunderstood. We look forward to your comments -- on Facebook (Dan Raviv) or on X (@DanRaviv), and we will occasionally post Video Extras. Happy listening!

  1. 6h ago

    Mossad Wanted to Help a Coup by Ahmadinejad? Really?

    Dan gets an assist from his longtime writing partner, Yossi Melman, in analyzing the reported plot by the Mossad -- apparently with U.S. participation -- to free Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from house arrest in Tehran, and help him take power in Iran. That coup, toppling the current Islamic Republic of Iran regime, would be headed by a former president who publicly hated Israel and the U.S. and denied the Holocaust. As you'll hear Yossi Melman says the idea was "ludicrous." Dan then turns to Ashriel Mahlev, a student organizer for a right-of-center grassroots political group in Israel called "Im Tirtzu" (from a Theodore Herzl statement, "If you will it, it is no dream"). He discusses the relative unimportance of the Iran war in Israeli politics -- but confirms that the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon and the unfinished war against Hamas in Gaza are both negatives, as of now, for Prime Minister Netanyahu. This is the 69th weekly episode of THE MOSSAD FILES WITH DAN RAVIV. Please comment on X at @danraviv. Also on BlueSky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.  Dan's most recent book -- with Israeli espionage/defense expert Yossi Melman -- is a low-priced e-book, "Target: Iran -- How the Mossad Penetrated Iran to Smash the Nuclear Program."  For Kindle: https://levantbooks.short.gy/hGLRKs  Also the Raviv-Melman history of the Mossad is "Spies Against Armageddon: Inside Israel's Secret Wars" -- You may purchase it at http://bit.ly/41j1Sc3 in Kindle or paperback (and on all e-book platforms).   AND: Dan Raviv is co-author of a new book --with social psychologist Prof. Arie Kruglanski -- "The Quest for Significance: Harnessing the Need that Makes the World Go Round." It explains how every person has a need for respect and dignity, and the book advises how you can figure out yourself and the people around you, to give them a measure of Significance. To buy: https://amzn.to/3Y2cawj  (You can watch or listen, also, to THE QUEST FOR SIGNIFICANCE PODCAST series.) Our music for THE MOSSAD FILES podcast is Clock is Ticking, by Braden Deal, from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/braden-deal/clock-is-ticking -- License code: YY2MEPOUFX6P7MIH.

    30 min

  2. May 19

    Trump's "Personal Grudge" Vs. Iran, "Natural Partner" with Netanyahu -- Israeli Strategist Tells Us

    Dan's guest is Professor Eitan Shamir -- who had senior roles in Israel's Defense Ministry and Strategic Affairs Ministry. He is now head of the BESA Center at Bar-Ilan University. Shamir says, about Israel having to accept Donald Trump's decisions and timetable: "When you have a senior partner, there's a cost!" Is it reasonable to believe that Benjamin Netanyahu forced Trump into attacking Iran? And if Trump doesn't analyze complicated issues the way a strategic-affairs professor would, do you trust his decisions? Shamir: "I think his strategic compass is correct," including indications that Trump feels a "personal grudge" against Iran. This is the 68th half-hour audio episode of The Mossad Files with Dan Raviv. Please comment on X at @danraviv. Also on BlueSky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.  Dan's most recent book -- with Israeli espionage/defense expert Yossi Melman -- is a low-priced e-book, "Target: Iran -- How the Mossad Penetrated Iran to Smash the Nuclear Program."  For Kindle: https://levantbooks.short.gy/hGLRKs  Also the Raviv-Melman history of the Mossad is "Spies Against Armageddon: Inside Israel's Secret Wars" -- You may purchase it at http://bit.ly/41j1Sc3 in Kindle or paperback (and on all e-book platforms).   AND: Dan Raviv is co-author of a new book --with social psychologist Prof. Arie Kruglanski -- "The Quest for Significance: Harnessing the Need that Makes the World Go Round." It explains how every person has a need for respect and dignity, and the book advises how you can figure out yourself and the people around you, to give them a measure of Significance. To buy: https://amzn.to/3Y2cawj  (You can watch or listen, also, to THE QUEST FOR SIGNIFICANCE PODCAST series.) Our music for THE MOSSAD FILES podcast is Clock is Ticking, by Braden Deal, from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/braden-deal/clock-is-ticking -- License code: YY2MEPOUFX6P7MIH.

    30 min

  3. May 14

    Strategic Worries for Israel Include U.S. Politics -- Jonathan Tobin Explains

    Dan's guest is Jonathan Tobin, the prolific Editor-in-Chief of JNS -- Jewish News Syndicate. In American politics, there's no doubt that Tobin is on the Right side of the spectrum. His analysis is clear and strong, as it increasingly emerges that Israel has a problem: a sharp decline in popularity and support in the United States. Tobin argues, as many do, that the unpopularity is mostly found on the Left. Enjoy the vibrant discussion and intelligent conversation. This is the 67th weekly episode of The Mossad Files, and some of Dan's interviews may be found in video form on YouTube. Please comment on X at @danraviv. Also on BlueSky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.  Dan's most recent book -- with Israeli espionage/defense expert Yossi Melman -- is a low-priced e-book, "Target: Iran -- How the Mossad Penetrated Iran to Smash the Nuclear Program."  For Kindle: https://levantbooks.short.gy/hGLRKs  Also the Raviv-Melman history of the Mossad is "Spies Against Armageddon: Inside Israel's Secret Wars" -- You may purchase it at http://bit.ly/41j1Sc3 in Kindle or paperback (and on all e-book platforms).   AND: Dan Raviv is co-author of a new book --with social psychologist Prof. Arie Kruglanski -- "The Quest for Significance: Harnessing the Need that Makes the World Go Round." It explains how every person has a need for respect and dignity, and the book advises how you can figure out yourself and the people around you, to give them a measure of Significance. To buy: https://amzn.to/3Y2cawj  (You can watch or listen, also, to THE QUEST FOR SIGNIFICANCE PODCAST series.) Our music for THE MOSSAD FILES podcast is Clock is Ticking, by Braden Deal, from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/braden-deal/clock-is-ticking -- License code: YY2MEPOUFX6P7MIH.

    30 min

  4. May 8

    Who's In Charge in Iran? And Will They Fall? Behnam Ben Taleblu Tells Us...

    Who's in charge in Iran? Who's left, after U.S. and Israeli air strikes killed top leaders?  Is there really a chance that the Islamic Republic regime will fall? Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at FDD (Foundation for the Defense of Deocracies) and senior director of that think tank's Iran Program, answers Dan's questions -- and sheds light on how Iran's hardline regime seems to be standing up to U.S. pressure. This episode also features Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, insisting that Israel isn't directing this war -- it's all Donald Trump.  And retired Admiral William McRaven discusses what military experts must have told President Trump. McRaven says you can't bomb your way to victory in Iran. Please comment on X at @danraviv. Also on BlueSky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.  Dan's most recent book -- with Israeli espionage/defense expert Yossi Melman -- is a low-priced e-book, "Target: Iran -- How the Mossad Penetrated Iran to Smash the Nuclear Program."  For Kindle: https://levantbooks.short.gy/hGLRKs  Also the Raviv-Melman history of the Mossad is "Spies Against Armageddon: Inside Israel's Secret Wars" -- You may purchase it at http://bit.ly/41j1Sc3 in Kindle or paperback (and on all e-book platforms).   AND: Dan Raviv is co-author of a new book --with social psychologist Prof. Arie Kruglanski -- "The Quest for Significance: Harnessing the Need that Makes the World Go Round." It explains how every person has a need for respect and dignity, and the book advises how you can figure out yourself and the people around you, to give them a measure of Significance. To buy: https://amzn.to/3Y2cawj  (You can watch or listen, also, to THE QUEST FOR SIGNIFICANCE PODCAST series.) Our music for THE MOSSAD FILES podcast is Clock is Ticking, by Braden Deal, from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/braden-deal/clock-is-ticking -- License code: YY2MEPOUFX6P7MIH.

    30 min

  5. May 2

    Mossad's Annual Awards, Hear the Outgoing Director, plus Iran and Lebanon Experts

    Dan plays audio clips from the annual Ceremony of Commendations at Mossad headquarters near Tel Aviv, where spymaster David "Dedi" Barnea -- whose 5-year term as Director of the Mossad ends next month -- delivered hint after hint of what the spy agency has been doing in Iran and Lebanon. We then hear Elliott Abrams, longtime U.S. official in Republican administrations, analyzing the mysteries of war and peace in Iran -- including Donald Trump's communications flaws.  Mr. Abrams, now at the Council on Foreign Relations, was speaking on the ROPEScast, an interview series from the non-profit organization ROPES. The Mossad Files podcast then turns to Lebanon -- and an optimistic pundit who's originally from the Shiite Muslim villages of Southern Lebanon.  Hanin Ghaddar is now a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.  She spoke with Nadine Epstein, editor in chief of Moment Magazine, on one of the many Moment zoominars that can be found at momentmag.com. Please comment on X at @danraviv. Also on BlueSky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.  Dan's most recent book -- with Israeli espionage/defense expert Yossi Melman -- is a low-priced e-book, "Target: Iran -- How the Mossad Penetrated Iran to Smash the Nuclear Program."  For Kindle: https://levantbooks.short.gy/hGLRKs  Also the Raviv-Melman history of the Mossad is "Spies Against Armageddon: Inside Israel's Secret Wars" -- You may purchase it at http://bit.ly/41j1Sc3 in Kindle or paperback (and on all e-book platforms).   AND: Dan Raviv is co-author of a new book --with social psychologist Prof. Arie Kruglanski -- "The Quest for Significance: Harnessing the Need that Makes the World Go Round." It explains how every person has a need for respect and dignity, and the book advises how you can figure out yourself and the people around you, to give them a measure of Significance. To buy: https://amzn.to/3Y2cawj  (You can watch or listen, also, to THE QUEST FOR SIGNIFICANCE PODCAST series.) Our music for THE MOSSAD FILES podcast is Clock is Ticking, by Braden Deal, from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/braden-deal/clock-is-ticking -- License code: YY2MEPOUFX6P7MIH.

    30 min

  6. Apr 24

    Mossad Says Prepared for More War in Iran -- and Historian Marc Schulman on Constant Crises

    As Israel celebrated its 78th birthday, Independence Day was preceded -- as every year -- by a somber Memorial Day in tribute to IDF soldiers killed in action and to victims of terrorism. Among the many speeches -- heard, in part, on this Mossad Files episode -- were strong statements by Mossad director David (Dedi) Barnea and his predecessor at the spy agency, Yossi Cohen.   Israel's spymasters are pointing at more warfare expected, in Iran. Dan's guest is Marc Schulman, an American-born Israeli who writes columns for Newsweek and for his own Substack, "Tel Aviv Diary." Schulman also is founder and editor-in-chief of HistoryCentral.com. Dan and Marc disagree, on Benjamin Netanyahu's chances of remaining prime minister after the Israeli election expected in October. Please comment on X at @danraviv. Also on BlueSky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.  Dan's most recent book -- with Israeli espionage/defense expert Yossi Melman -- is a low-priced e-book, "Target: Iran -- How the Mossad Penetrated Iran to Smash the Nuclear Program."  For Kindle: https://levantbooks.short.gy/hGLRKs  Also the Raviv-Melman history of the Mossad is "Spies Against Armageddon: Inside Israel's Secret Wars" -- You may purchase it at http://bit.ly/41j1Sc3 in Kindle or paperback (and on all e-book platforms).   AND: Dan Raviv is co-author of a new book --with social psychologist Prof. Arie Kruglanski -- "The Quest for Significance: Harnessing the Need that Makes the World Go Round." It explains how every person has a need for respect and dignity, and the book advises how you can figure out yourself and the people around you, to give them a measure of Significance. To buy: https://amzn.to/3Y2cawj  (You can watch or listen, also, to THE QUEST FOR SIGNIFICANCE PODCAST series.) Our music for THE MOSSAD FILES podcast is Clock is Ticking, by Braden Deal, from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/braden-deal/clock-is-ticking -- License code: YY2MEPOUFX6P7MIH.

    30 min

  7. Apr 18

    Iran War Confusion: Fog of Peace, and the Democrats -- with Joel Rubin

    Dan Raviv interviews Joel Rubin -- a Democratic Party strategist, former State Department official, who has a Substack called "The Briefing Book," focused on the nexis between foreign affairs and U.S. politics. Rubin says his fellow Democrats aren't giving enough credit to what could be good developments in the Middle East. After all, a majority of the party wants to cut-off U.S. military aid to Israel. But Donald Trump's statements claiming deals have been reached with Iran -- and perhaps even with Lebanon's Hezbollah -- cause confusion, all around the world. Find Joel Rubin's writing and video clips at:  https://joelrubin.substack.com/ Please comment on X at @danraviv. Also on BlueSky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.  Dan's most recent book -- with Israeli espionage/defense expert Yossi Melman -- is a low-priced e-book, "Target: Iran -- How the Mossad Penetrated Iran to Smash the Nuclear Program."  For Kindle: https://levantbooks.short.gy/hGLRKs  Also the Raviv-Melman history of the Mossad is "Spies Against Armageddon: Inside Israel's Secret Wars" -- You may purchase it at http://bit.ly/41j1Sc3 in Kindle or paperback (and on all e-book platforms).   AND: Dan Raviv is co-author of a new book --with social psychologist Prof. Arie Kruglanski -- "The Quest for Significance: Harnessing the Need that Makes the World Go Round." It explains how every person has a need for respect and dignity, and the book advises how you can figure out yourself and the people around you, to give them a measure of Significance. To buy: https://amzn.to/3Y2cawj  (You can watch or listen, also, to THE QUEST FOR SIGNIFICANCE PODCAST series.) Our music for THE MOSSAD FILES podcast is Clock is Ticking, by Braden Deal, from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/braden-deal/clock-is-ticking -- License code: YY2MEPOUFX6P7MIH.

    30 min

  8. Apr 10

    Was the Iran War Worth It? Israelis Look for More -- Nimrod Novik Remembers Gaza and West Bank Too

    The start of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran was sudden, on February 28. The ceasefire that may have ended the war was sudden, just when Donald Trump was threatening to destroy Iranian civilization.  A 39-day war (some call it "The 40-Day War") -- Was it worth it? Israelis are asking. And, in Tel Aviv, Israel Policy Forum distinguished fellow Nimrod Novik -- longtime senior advisor to the late Prime Minister Shimon Peres -- brings his detailed, clear-headed analysis to The Mossad Files.  Dan Raviv guides the conversation also to the unfinished business of the Gaza war, which Novik contends has had an Iran-like ambiguous, cloudy ending. So how can there be a return to progress on the Palestinian issue? Novik says this year's Israeli election could affect how the West Bank and Gaza are treated. Please comment on X at @danraviv. Also on BlueSky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.  Dan's most recent book -- with Israeli espionage/defense expert Yossi Melman -- is a low-priced e-book, "Target: Iran -- How the Mossad Penetrated Iran to Smash the Nuclear Program."  For Kindle: https://levantbooks.short.gy/hGLRKs  Also the Raviv-Melman history of the Mossad is "Spies Against Armageddon: Inside Israel's Secret Wars" -- You may purchase it at http://bit.ly/41j1Sc3 in Kindle or paperback (and on all e-book platforms).   AND: Dan Raviv is co-author of a new book --with social psychologist Prof. Arie Kruglanski -- "The Quest for Significance: Harnessing the Need that Makes the World Go Round." It explains how every person has a need for respect and dignity, and the book advises how you can figure out yourself and the people around you, to give them a measure of Significance. To buy: https://amzn.to/3Y2cawj  (You can watch or listen, also, to THE QUEST FOR SIGNIFICANCE PODCAST series.) Our music for THE MOSSAD FILES podcast is Clock is Ticking, by Braden Deal, from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/braden-deal/clock-is-ticking -- License code: YY2MEPOUFX6P7MIH.

    30 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

From the co-author of the best selling book, "Every Spy a Prince: The Complete History of Israel's Intelligence Community," and the more recent non-fiction, "Spies Against Armageddon: Inside Israel's Secret Wars," this is a weekly podcast series -- delivering insights into the volatile events of the world's most fascinating region: the Middle East.  Dan Raviv was a foreign correspondent and Washington radio anchor for CBS News for over 40 years -- much of that career in the Tel Aviv and London bureaus. He and Yossi Melman wrote 5 books about Israeli espionage, security, and diplomacy. Yossi helped launch THE MOSSAD FILES podcast in February 2025. Each week, joined by well-informed guests, Dan discusses the latest developments involving Israel, its security agencies, Palestinians, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, and how the United States and other countries are involved. Inevitably, the turmoil of Israeli politics creeps into the conversation. The most recent Raviv-Melman book is a history of the Mossad and the other security agencies, with chapters ranging from "Stop Iran!" to considerations of Israel's future. The book is SPIES AGAINST ARMAGEDDON. To purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Spies-Against-Armageddon-Israels-Updated/dp/0985437898/ref=sr_1_1 Our aim is to illuminate parts of the Middle East's unending drama that are often misunderstood. We look forward to your comments -- on Facebook (Dan Raviv) or on X (@DanRaviv), and we will occasionally post Video Extras. Happy listening!

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Raviv
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 THE MOSSAD FILES with Dan Raviv

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