THE MOSSAD FILES with Dan Raviv & Yossi Melman

Dan (in Washington) and Yossi (in Tel Aviv) consider the revelation of an Israeli plan to attack Iran that was rejected by President Trump. Does the U.S. have a real chance of a strong nuclear limitation deal with Iran? In Israel, military and security vets skewer Prime Minister Netanyahu, demanding a deal to free the hostages by ending the Gaza war. Our guest, American activist and international lobbyist Shai Franklin, discusses Netanyahu's problems and blows to Israel's reputation -- even to the Mossad's credibility.  Please find us on X at @Yossi_Melman and @danraviv. Also on BlueSky and Facebook. Our most recent book 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). 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.

Under Benjamin Netanyahu, the Mossad collects evidence of Iran's nuclear weapons project -- and shares it with the United States. But when the Prime Minister visited President Trump at the White House (April 7), he had to be sorely disappointed that Trump is starting direct talks with Iran. So says our expert guest, Joel Rubin (former State Department official). Also, Netanyahu returned home to a Supreme Court decision that he cannot immediately fire the head of the domestic security/intelligence agency Shin Bet.Please find us on X at @Yossi_Melman and @danraviv. Also on BlueSky and Facebook. Our most recent book 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). 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.

Senior aides to Prime Minister Netanyahu under arrest! Our guest, 30-year U.S. intelligence officer Michael Pregent, adds vivid details to the scandal in Israel, "Qatargate," and how Qatar also buys influence among U.S. think tanks and politicians.Dan & Yossi also discuss how criticism of Trump led to dumping a new head of domestic security agency Shin Bet, and why -- as IDF airpower and troops amp up the war in Gaza, supposedly to compel Hamas to free hostages -- Israel also bombed a building in Beirut, Lebanon: to stop a terrorist attack on an airplane in Cyprus?Please find us on X at @Yossi_Melman and @danraviv. Also on BlueSky and Facebook. Our most recent book 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). 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.

Dan and Yossi analyze a surprising spate of Israeli Jews who spied for Iran -- motivated by money; but our guest, Professor Yoram Peri, sees it as a sign of Israeli society breaking-apart. Dan and Yossi also discuss Israeli intelligence people's reaction to America's embarassing "Signal-gate": senior U.S. officials used the Signal app to discuss attack plans -- not realizing a journalist was part of the chat group. Professor Peri also claims that patriotism in Israel, even after the war that's followed the October 7 atrocities, is sadly waning. Also: How the 2-month ceasefire in Gaza helped Israel's intelligence agencies gather information that enabled targeted assassinations once the war resumed on March 18.Please find us on X at @Yossi_Melman and @danraviv. Also on BlueSky and Facebook. Our most recent book 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). 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.

Tensions in Israel are escalating as Netanyahu fires the Shin Bet chief, accusing him of risking national security for political gain. The renewed military campaign in Gaza raises questions about hostage negotiations. Meanwhile, U.S. airstrikes target the Houthis in Yemen as Trump's influence looms over Middle Eastern conflicts. Amidst these developments, questions arise about Netanyahu’s political motives and the implications of the 'Qatargate' scandal, hinting at foreign ties that may threaten national security.

A Trump official met in person with Hamas, violating long-standing rules against talking with terrorists. Israel protested, and the US seemed to back off. But will the Gaza war erupt again? Yossi tells Dan the Israeli people are "fatigued of war" and would rather make freedom for the hostages top priority, especially with the Passover holiday in April. Also -- why is Israel keeping troops in Syria, where massacres occurred this month? And does the Trump move to deport a Palestinian activist have any impact on Middle East events? (Spoiler alert: No.) Please find us on X at @Yossi_Melman and @danraviv. Also on BlueSky and Facebook. Our most recent book 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). 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.

Former British intelligence agent Christopher Steele, known for his work on Trump's Russia connections, joins Arkady Milman, a veteran Israeli diplomat and ex-ambassador to Russia. They dive into Israel's intelligence failures during the October 7 attacks and Netanyahu's reluctance for an independent inquiry. Steele expresses disappointment over Israel's neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, while Milman discusses the historical fears surrounding Russia. The conversation also touches on the strained dynamics between Israel, Ukraine, and U.S. foreign policy.

Dan and Yossi describe an agonizing week for many Israelis, as freed hostages are handed over by Hamas in coffins. What's the impact on Prime Minister Netanyahu's key decision: extend the Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchanges? Or restart the Gaza war? Yossi then reports on Netanyahu's strife with Israel's spy chiefs. He seems to be pressuring them to quit, removing them from hostage negotiations and apparently shifting blame for October 7 failures onto them. We discuss Netanyahu's long history of using the Mossad and the other security agencies against enemies on several fronts, including Palestinians, Hezbollah, and Iran. But is he now abusing the Mossad and the domestic security agency, Shin Bet?We also analyze the importance of getting along with President Trump, as we note that some of Netanyahu's moves to dominate government agencies resemble Trump's.Please find us on X at @Yossi_Melman and @danraviv. Also on BlueSky and Facebook. Our most recent book 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). 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.

A ceasefire on Israel's Lebanese front remains fragile, as the Israelis refuse to withdraw completely, charging violations by the Iran-backed Hezbollah. Dan and Yossi discuss a new claim that Israel could have defeated Hezbollah much earlier. Yoav Gallant, defense minister at the time, says just after the Hamas invasion from Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, he proposed invading Lebanon for a quick victory by detonating the electronic gear (pagers and walkie-talkies) the Mossad had remarkably sold to Hezbollah -- killing "15,000 terrorists all at once." Then, Gallant claims, the IDF could turn more strongly to smash Hamas in Gaza. But Prime Minister Netanyahu turned him down. We consider the plot -- and we interview a veteran Israeli intelligence researcher, Dror Doron, on whether it could have worked. Also, Doron comments on whether Lebanon might be on the road to stability and peace. Spoiler alert: It seems the answer is, woefully, no. Yossi Melman also fills-in details of how the Mossad manufactured exploding equipment and sold them through "front companies" to Hezbollah.Please find us on X at @Yossi_Melman and @danraviv. Also on BlueSky and Facebook. Our most recent book 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). 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.

After over 35 years of writing books on the Middle East --  and an unrivalled reputation for accuracy and reliability -- Dan Raviv (Washington-based longtime CBS correspondent) and Yossi Melman (breaking news and adding uniquely strong analysis at Haaretz and elsewhere) premiere their podcast series: THE MOSSAD FILES.  This week's 25-minute debut episode: Intelligence failures by the widely hailed Mossad and partner agencies (Shin Bet and Aman military intel) were obvious and humiliating on Oct. 7, 2023 -- and then they also failed to locate hostages in Gaza so they could be rescued. What went wrong? Also: rightwing pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu to keep the war going. And what about Donald Trump's unorthodox ideas for Gaza: U.S. ownership and move the Palestinians out? "Trump's idea is an enigma," Yossi Melman says. "I'm sure he has good intentions, he wants to end this conflict." But how can it possibly be accomplished?Please find us on X at @Yossi_Melman and @danraviv. Also on BlueSky and Facebook. Our most recent book 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). 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.