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. 2d ago

    Trump and Iran: War of Words, War of Bombs, War of Cash -- Sanctions Can Bring Down the Regime?

    After President Trump chose to return to war against Iran -- although not completely forcefully -- Iran's oil sales were again banned by U.S. sanctions. Can harsh sanctions bring down the radical regime in Tehran? When the Memorandum of Understanding that Trump's negotiators created with Iran permitted oil sales for 60 days -- and pronounced a ceasefire that hasn't totally held -- how many billions of dollars would that have given to Iran? Dan speaks with Max Meizlish about that. He's a researcher at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, DC, and he's a former official at the U.S. Department of Treasury's agency that enforces sanctions. It's called OFAC: the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Also: details of an article for Spytalk.co by Yossi Melman, Dan's co-author on 6 books about Israeli intelligence and security. The article reveals new details about the Mossad and CIA together plotting -- early this year -- an attempt to topple Iran's government: an invasion of Iran by Kurdish forces, with U.S. and Israeli air cover. Preparations were underway, when President Trump decided to stop the plan. 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. Jul 5

    Crisis in Israel-U.S. Relations, as Trump Woos Iran: Yossi Melman, Michael Oren, Mike Singh...

    Dan's joined by his co-author on six books about Israel -- journalist and filmmaker Yossi Melman -- who's been writing about a serious rift in relations between Israel and the United States.  The reason?  Donald Trump is wooing Iran. Also heard in this episode of The Mossad Files: former Israeli ambassador to Washington, Michael Oren; and former U.S. officials on a Carnegie Connects online discussion -- Aaron David Miller of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Mike Singh of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and Alan Eyre of the Middle East Institute. This is the 74th weekly episode of The Mossad Files audio podcast. 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. Jun 27

    Democratic Party and Israel: Crisis for Public Diplomacy, Plus the Lebanon Deal

    Dan's guest is Joel Rubin, author of "Saving Democratic Foreign Policy: How Democrats Can Earn the American People's Trust to Lead the World Once Again." Rubin was a State Department official in the Obama Administration and has a Substack, "The Briefing Book." He argues that Israel could be doing a much better job of explaining its policy goals -- its vision of how the Middle East could be better -- instead of simply defending the justice of making war on eight fronts since Oct. 7, 2023. We also hear highlights of Prime Minister Netanyahu's recent speech in English, to consider whether he's succeeding at swaying the world toward Israel's cause.  As Joel M. Rubin tells us: "It's not working!" This is the 73rd 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

  4. Jun 21

    Mossad Will Return to Covert War in Iran -- Yossi Melman, Plus Yaakov Katz on U.S. Military Aid Fadeout

    Dan examines the widely held belief that President Trump's deal with Iran -- the Memorandum of Understanding -- was bad for Israel, and therefore the country's spy agency, the Mossad, will surely go back to covert war inside Iran.  This time, the Israelis expect to be alone. Clearly the U.S. and Israel did not achieve their goals in the war that they launched on February 28.  Yossi Melman -- Dan Raviv's co-author on six Middle East books -- helps analyze what may happen next.  Yossi points out that dictatorial regimes tend to fail in the long run. Dan also turns to Yaakov Katz, author of "While Israel Slept," to explain how Israel could get along without $3.8 billion dollars of annual military aid from the U.S.  They discuss the "partnership" that would replace the one-way aid. We also hear J.D. Vance with some harsh words directed at Benjamin Netanyahu's government. This is the 72nd weekly episode of The Mossad Files with Dan Raviv.  Please subscribe and recommend or rate on the various audio podcast sites. 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. Jun 11

    Iran War a Failure? A Disaster? Dennis Ross and Israeli analyst Citrinowicz Weigh In with Dan

    The war against Iran may be entering a new phase -- and some may call it peace. But many serious analysts in the United States and Israel call it a failure, or even "a disaster" for Israeli interests. Dennis Ross, longtime Middle East mediator for American presidents, offers hope that pressure will build for positive change in Tehran -- but, as author of "Statecraft 2.0" he suggests that good principles of statecraft have not been followed by President Trump. Where are the clear objectives and means? We also hear Danny Citrinowicz, who was a senior analyst on Iran for Israel's Military Intelligence directorate (Aman) -- highly critical of the war that began on February 28. He was speaking with former U.S. mediator Aaron David Miller of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, on a Carnegie online program. This is the 71st weekly episode of The Mossad Files -- available on all major audio podcast sites. And search YouTube and Spotify for "video extras" from us. 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. Jun 5

    New Mossad Spy Chief, and Yaakov Katz on Trump-Netanyahu Tensions

    Dan's guest is Yaakov Katz -- author of books on Israeli defense including "While Israel Slept" (on the failures of Oct. 7, 2023) and former editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post.  They discuss the new director of the Mossad spy agency, General Roman Gofman -- controversial in part for alleged failure to support a young Israeli operative in a secret operation. Gofman is a Benjamin Netanyahu loyalist, so will he stand up against some plots proposed by political leaders, as other Mossad chiefs have done? Their half-hour discussion also spotlights the high point of U.S.-Israel military and intelligence cooperation -- the joint attacks on Iran -- and how the relationship between Netanyahu and Donald Trump has disintegrated into high tension. This is the 70th weekly 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

  7. May 30

    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

  8. 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
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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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