Unholy: Two Jews on the News A conversation with Yossi Cohen
10 snips
Sep 14, 2025 Yossi Cohen, former head of Mossad and now leading SoftBank investments in Israel, shares insights from his new book, Sword of Freedom. He dives into the failures leading up to October 7th and critiques Israel’s risk-averse security mindset. Cohen discusses the complexities of Israeli-Saudi relations and the implications of ongoing conflict on national identity and global standing. He explores military decision-making challenges, the human costs of war, and the delicate balance of politics in Israel's governance, all while pondering the future of Israeli security.
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Episode notes
Qatar Strike Risks Regional Backlash
- Yossi Cohen agrees attacking terrorists is justified but questions striking Qatar during hostage negotiations.
- He warns the regional diplomatic fallout may outweigh the operational gains.
Three Criteria For Military Operations
- Cohen lays out three operation questions: target suitability, chance of success, and strategic impact.
- He stresses operations must anticipate failure and be worth the diplomatic price.
Risk Aversion Let Threats Mature
- Cohen criticizes Israel's security echelons as risk-averse, allowing adversaries to grow.
- He argues preemptive disruption of Hezbollah and others was repeatedly proposed but resisted.
