Episodes

  • Trump's Wishful Thinking -- and 2 Gaza's? One Peaceful, the Other a Hamas Hell?
    Nov 1 2025

    A lot to think about this weekend -- Will Hamas keep its arms and its governing power in Gaza? They obviously are trying! And is Trump too soft on Hamas?

    Our guest expert is Professor Kobi Michael, who was deputy director-general at Israel's Ministry of Strategic Affairs -- and teaches at universities ranging from Northwestern to Peking and South Wales. He's a top researcher at Israel's INSS and the Misgav Institute for Strategic Studies. He predicts two very different Gaza Strips will result from efforts to implement "the Trump plan" for Middle East peace.

    Also: the new, low-priced e-book by Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv -- "Target: Iran" -- reveals how the Mossad penetrated Iran to smash the nuclear program this past June. An exclusive! Find it at Amazon: https://levantbooks.short.gy/hGLRKs .

    Please comment on X at @danraviv. Also on BlueSky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

    Dan's most recent book -- with Israeli espionage/defense expert Yossi Melman -- about the Mossad and Israel's other security agencies 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 ANOTHER BOOK: Dan Raviv is co-author of a new book -- with world-renowned 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 find what's important to you -- and figure out all the people around you, to give them a measure of Significance ... and then they typically will reflect some back at you. That's called a win-win. 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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    30 mins
  • Bibi-sitting: Trump Team in Israel Keeping an Eye on Netanyahu - Plus Elliott Abrams
    Oct 24 2025

    Dan analyzes (with audio clips) the visits to Israel by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Secretary of State Rubio -- to keep a close eye on Netanyahu ... while the Knesset votes in favor of annexing the West Bank thus "insulting" VP Vance.

    Amid all that -- Will Hamas honor the terms of the "Trump Deal" that ended the Gaza war? Many angles -- including possibilities for the future (Will Israel's "image" improve soon?) -- are in Dan's chat with longtime U.S. official Elliott Abrams, author and Middle East senior expert at the Council on Foreign Relations.

    Please comment on X at @danraviv. Also on BlueSky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

    Dan's most recent book -- with Israeli espionage/defense expert Yossi Melman -- about the Mossad and Israel's other security agencies 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 ANOTHER BOOK: Dan Raviv is co-author of a new book -- with world-renowned 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 find what's important to you -- and figure out all the people around you, to give them a measure of Significance ... and then they typically will reflect some back at you. That's called a win-win. 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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    30 mins
  • It's Over: The Living Hostages Home in Israel, Gaza Has a Ceasefire ... and a Trump Plan
    Oct 17 2025

    The Gaza war is over --- 2 years after it began with the horrific massacres and kidnappings by Hamas in Israeli territory.

    But is it really over? And is President Trump correct, in portraying the breakthrough as a huge step toward an overall era of peace in the Middle East?

    In this episode of THE MOSSAD FILES, Dan Raviv interviews Yossi Kuperwasser -- a retired brigadier general in Israel's military intelligence -- and we also hear Tal Becker of the Shalom Hartman Institute (thanks to Democratic Majority for Israel, as Becker spoke on a DMFI panel).

    Join THE MOSSAD FILES for a critical look at the Trump plan, and the elements of the crisis that plainly are not resolved.


    Please comment on X at @danraviv. Also on BlueSky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

    Dan's most recent book -- with Israeli espionage/defense expert Yossi Melman -- about the Mossad and Israel's other security agencies 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 ANOTHER BOOK: Dan Raviv is co-author of a new book -- with world-renowned 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 find what's important to you -- and figure out all the people around you, to give them a measure of Significance ... and then they typically will reflect some back at you. That's called a win-win. 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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    30 mins
  • A Deal! Gaza War Ends, Hostages to be Freed, But Will the Trump Plan Lead to Peace?
    Oct 10 2025

    Dan expresses his doubts about the Trump Deal leading to the "eternal peace" the American President talks about -- but ending the Gaza war, after 2 years, and getting all the hostages home to Israel seems brilliant.

    We hear parts of the CBS News interview with two women who had the job of Secretary of State and mediated the end of "mini-wars" between Israel and Hamas: Hillary Clinton (praising Trump!) and Condoleezza Rice.

    Then Dan is joined by a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Joel Rubin, in analyzing what will work -- and what might not -- in the Trump plan ending the Gaza war.

    Please comment on X at @danraviv. Also on BlueSky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

    Dan's most recent book -- with Israeli espionage/defense expert Yossi Melman -- about the Mossad and Israel's other security agencies 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 ANOTHER BOOK: Dan Raviv is co-author of a new book -- with world-renowned 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 find what's important to you -- and figure out all the people around you, to give them a measure of Significance ... and then they typically will reflect some back at you. That's called a win-win. 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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    27 mins
  • The Trump Plan for Gaza -- Israel Yes, and Hamas Mostly Yes -- So now...?
    Oct 3 2025

    Donald Trump's 20-point plan gives hope for an end to the Gaza war. That alone would be huge, but he also contends it could resolve the wider Middle East conflict.

    That would put all us Mideast pundits out of business. That would be good, but it's not likely to happen.

    There's a lot to analyze, and Nimrod Novik -- senior advisor to the late Prime Minister Shimon Peres, now with Commanders for Israel's Security (calling for an end to the Gaza war and a deal to free the hostages held by Hamas), and with Israel Policy Forum -- joins The Mossad Files podcast, after we hear highlights of Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu at their White House unveiling of 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 -- about the Mossad and Israel's other security agencies 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 ANOTHER BOOK: Dan Raviv is co-author of a new book -- with world-renowned 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 find what's important to you -- and figure out all the people around you, to give them a measure of Significance ... and then they typically will reflect some back at you. That's called a win-win. 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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    30 mins
  • Yossi Cohen: A Former Mossad Director, on Israel's Challenges - And More
    Sep 25 2025

    The director of the Mossad (Israel's worldwide espionage and special missions agency) from 2016 to 2021 -- Yossi Cohen -- talks about the apparently failed airstrike aimed at Hamas leaders in Qatar, the "reputation" of the Mossad, and more. Cohen, author of a new memoir, "The Sword of Freedom," was interviewed by Major Garrett -- host of the daily program, "The Takeout," on the CBS News 24/7 streaming channel.

    Dan also chats with Adam Schwarz, write and analyst on democracy, European politics, and more -- about the accelerating trend of nations recognizing a "Palestinian state." This, as Prime MInister Netanyahu flew to New York, to present "Israel's truth," as he put it, at the United Nations General Assembly.

    Please comment on X at @danraviv. Also on BlueSky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

    Dan's most recent book -- with Israeli espionage/defense expert Yossi Melman -- about the Mossad and Israel's other security agencies 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 ANOTHER BOOK: Dan Raviv is co-author of a new book -- with world-renowned 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 find what's important to you -- and figure out all the people around you, to give them a measure of Significance ... and then they typically will reflect some back at you. That's called a win-win. 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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    30 mins
  • Gaza War Strategy - Plus a Focus on Jordan - and Iron Beam Air Defense
    Sep 19 2025

    Israel's army has entered Gaza City -- Dan speaks with Tel Aviv-based security analyst Jonathan Regev about urban combat. Is Israeli intelligence good enough to avoid harming hostages?

    After 2 Israelis were killed by a Jordanian driving an aid truck, Dan explores Jordan's stance on Israel and Palestinians -- interviewing Aaron Magid, author of a biography, "The Most American King: Abdullah of Jordan."


    Please comment on X at @danraviv. Also on BlueSky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

    Dan's most recent book -- with Israeli espionage/defense expert Yossi Melman -- about the Mossad and Israel's other security agencies 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 ANOTHER BOOK: Dan Raviv is co-author of a new book -- with world-renowned 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 find what's important to you -- and figure out all the people around you, to give them a measure of Significance ... and then they typically will reflect some back at you. That's called a win-win. 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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    31 mins
  • Bombing Hamas in Qatar, the Mediators? I Think Trump Knew... Plus AntiSemitism in U.K.
    Sep 11 2025

    On Tuesday 9/9, Israel's airstrike on a house in Qatar's capital Doha shouldn't have been considered such a huge surprise. Israeli leaders had said they'd go after senior Hamas men wherever they might be -- and Donald Trump wrote about his "final warning" to Hamas, demanding they free all the hostages.

    Hear some evidence and analysis -- that the U.S. gently chided Israel, while being sure to keep Trump's friendship with wealthy Qatar: which just gifted the U.S. with a future Air Force One!

    Also -- an interview with Adam J. Schwarz, a London-based commentator on politics and threats to democracy. We discuss how anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism have merged, and he tells of "No Zios!" signs and postings: Doesn't that mean "No Jews"? Adam Schwarz also considers whether Israel's Netanyahu really cares.


    Please comment on X at @danraviv. Also on BlueSky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

    Dan's most recent book -- with Israeli espionage/defense expert Yossi Melman -- about the Mossad and Israel's other security agencies 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 ANOTHER BOOK: Dan Raviv is co-author of a new book -- with world-renowned 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 find what's important to you -- and figure out all the people around you, to give them a measure of Significance ... and then they typically will reflect some back at you. That's called a win-win. 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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    28 mins