The Brink

Mossad Spymaster Reveals the Truth About Espionage, Netanyahu, Pagers, Qatar and The Propaganda War

8 snips
Oct 16, 2025
Yossi Cohen, former Director of Mossad and prominent Israeli spymaster, shares gripping insights from his illustrious career. He discusses the art of espionage, including the daring Pager operation against Hezbollah. Cohen reflects on the intelligence community's crucial decisions after October 7, and critiques the leadership culture in Israel. He emphasizes the importance of emotional control under pressure and addresses Israel's struggles in the propaganda war. A fascinating exploration of the moral complexities in national security and leadership.
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ANECDOTE

Life Wearing A Cover Story

  • Cohen describes living undercover as wearing a perpetual 'mask' and feeling different even while using normal transport and hotels.
  • He emphasises constant alertness because the enemy may see what operatives do not expect.
ADVICE

Train For Emotional Control Under Pressure

  • Practice emotional control so you perform under pressure rather than switching emotions off entirely.
  • Train routines until responses become automatic so you can operate reliably in crisis.
INSIGHT

Layered Plan To Surprise Hezbollah

  • Yossi Cohen describes a layered plan to surprise Hezbollah starting with 'pages' and escalations to walkie-talkies, then full Air Force and Army operations.
  • He argues opening another front during October 7 chaos would have been reckless because Israel wasn't ready.
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