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. 6d ago

    Unjustified Killings in Gaza? New Film by Israelis is Cheered & Challenged -- and Kai Bird on Trump's Mentor Roy Cohn

    A documentary film has sparked a sensation: Two Israelis made "Naza" [the Hebrew acronym for "collateral damage"], and their work was hailed by a record-long standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival. Critics of Israel especially enjoy it when Israelis are condemning their own country. The Mossad Files asked Michael Oren -- a former Israeli ambassador to the United States -- for his reaction. Oren, a best-selling historian, is completing a book about the Hamas attack of October 7 (2023) and the Gaza war that raged for two years after that. Oren says Israeli military officers are "livid" about the reported claims in the movie. Also -- Dan interviews Kai Bird, a best-selling biographer whose latest book is "American Scoundrel: Roy Cohn’s Dark Journey from Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump.  Our conversation focuses on Trump's style in foreign affairs, largely inspired by the notorious lawyer Cohn. The conversation includes Bird's other biographies -- of Robert Oppenheimer, Jimmy Carter, and CIA officer Robert Ames -- as the author says, "I consider the Middle East to be one of my homes." This is the 85th weekly episode of The Mossad Files. 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 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.

  2. Sep 13

    Netanyahu Ignored Advance Warnings? Gaza War in the Israel Election Campaign

    Dan offers a review, with comments, of the news report that says Prime Minister Netanyahu had prior warning of a major Hamas attack -- before October 7, 2023 -- and did nothing about it. Netanyahu calls it "fake news." The United Arab Emirates neither confirms nor denies... Dan then interviews Marc Schulman -- founder of HistoryCentral.com -- who has written a new book: "Between Hope & Fear: Israel From Oslo to October 7." There was a lot of optimism about peace with the Palestinians at the time of the Oslo Accords in 1993, but October 7 (2023) shattered all positive dreams. Marc Schulman's work can be seen on his Substack -- Tel Aviv Diary. This is the 84th consecutive 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 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.

  3. Sep 4

    Top Israeli Intel Expert on Iran: Main Goals Not Achieved, Trump 'Held Us Back'

    Dan reviews some espionage-related angles in the latest Middle East news -- and then turns to Danny Citrinowicz, a 25-year veteran of the Israeli military's intelligence directorate (Aman) where he was head of the Iran analysis team. The regime hasn't been toppled. The nuclear potential still exists. Iran's missiles can hit Israel. Trump held back Israel from pursuing its goals in Iran. Citrinowicz adds details, and offers his impression that the results of the October 27 election in Israel will not bring needed changes in policy toward Iran, toward Lebanon, and (above all) toward the Palestinians. This is the 83rd consecutive 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 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.

  4. Aug 29

    Turkey's Anti-Israel Ambitions in Syria, Hope for Palestinian Change -- Jon Schanzer of FDD

    Dan highlights the highly produced video from U.S. Central Command, claiming the Strait of Hormuz has been opened for oil shipments from America's Arab allies -- despite Iran's claims. Then he discusses, with Jonathan Schanzer, Turkey's aggressive ambitions in the wide Middle East -- including the recent, surprising defense pact grouping Turkey with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Schanzer is executive director of the Washington-based think tank FDD (Foundation for the Defense of Democracies) and author of "State of Failure," a 2013 book claiming the Palestinian Authority isn't ready to run a peaceful, stable independent state.  Schanzer now says that if Hamas is disarmed and "long in the tooth" PA President Mahmoud Abbas is replaced, there could possibly be positive change for the Palestinian people. Dan -- in this 82nd episode of The Mossad Files weekly audio podcast -- reminds listeners that change may come to Israel, when that country has its election on October 27. 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 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.

  5. Aug 21

    Trump "Economic D-Day" on Iran, while Talking with Hamas -- Israel Stands Firm -- and the Turkey-Saudi-Pakistan Pact

    Dan starts by assessing President Trump's declaration of economic war against Iran -- rather than ordering massive airstrikes.  For now. Then we turn to Gaza, almost a year since the deal that freed the surviving Israeli hostages and started a flawed ceasefire. Jared Kushner leading America's negotiations with Hamas, the terrorist rulers of a much-reduced section of the Gaza Strip -- That's something strongly rejected by Israeli strategic expert Kobi Michael. Professor Michael -- senior researcher at INSS (Institute for National Security Studies) and the Misgav Institute -- says both Hamas and Iran's regime will have to be "destroyed."   You'll hear that he quickly clarifies it doesn't mean killing everyone, but choking them economically so they can't be a threat. This is the 81st 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 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.

  6. Aug 16

    "Tens of Thousands in Iran Spy for Israel" - Intel Analyst Says Regime Greatly Weakened

    On this 80th weekly episode of The Mossad Files with Dan Raviv, Beni Sabti -- a top expert on Iran's culture and politics, during years of service in the Israeli military intelligence agency Aman -- insists that Iran's Islamic regime has been greatly weakened this year. Sabti also says millions of Iranians would be happy to work for the Mossad, against their country's Islamic government. You'll also hear Yossi Cohen (Mossad director, 2016 to 2021) share the best method to recruit an Iranian official to spy for Israel: Make yourself his best friend! Cohen spoke on a Times (of London) podcast, "The General and the Journalist." 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 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.

  7. Aug 8

    Upheaval in Mossad Firings, and in Netanyahu-Trump Relationship: Yossi Melman and Nathan Guttman

    The director of the Mossad, General Roman Gofman -- two months after taking over the spy agency -- has followed-up his firing of the deputy director with two new ousters: a man and a woman who were very senior in spying on Iran and interpreting all the data from there. Dan's longtime co-author (on 6 books), Yossi Melman, helps us interpret the firings within the Mossad. Dan's guest, Nathan Guttman, adds that it appears Prime Minister Netanyahu is recognizing the failure of the plan -- linked with the Israel-U.S. war against Iran that began February 28 -- to topple Iran's regime. Nathan Guttman also analyzes the Michigan primary results, which was a significant win for an anti-Israel Democrat, and the broader challenges facing Israel-U.S. relations -- including how to define antiSemitism. Nathan Guttman is the Washington correspondent for Kan, Israel's public broadcasting network; and he writes a column on Jewish power and politics for MomentMag.com, the website of Moment Magazine. This is the 79th 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 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.

  8. Jul 31

    Trump's Gaza "Deal," His Chat with Netanyahu, and Harlan Ullman on U.S. Mistakes

    In an action-packed audio half-hour, Dan analyzes Donald Trump's claim of a breakthrough on Gaza -- and we hear a Palestinian-American who claims to know Hamas well say that the group really is willing to disarm, to stop Israel's targeted assassinations! Also -- various angles on the Trump-Netanyahu summit at the White House, where the men didn't appear together, but perhaps they were plotting something big. We hear them, and also Israel's opposition leader Yair Lapid in Washington, saying the decline in U.S. public support for Israel can be "reversed." And Harlan Ullman -- U.S. Navy veteran and strategic advisor to governments and corporations -- famous for the "Shock and Awe" strategy of launching a war -- tells Dan that the U.S. seems headed for failure in the Iran conflict. Pressed by Dan, Harlan Ullman casts doubt on U.S. willingness to cooperate with Israel's military and intelligence in the future. This is the 78th consecutive 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 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.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
27 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
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 THE MOSSAD FILES with Dan Raviv

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