In this sure-to-be-headline-making book, the legendary Mossad director likened to the real-life James Bond explains how Israel has not only survived by thrived--and will continue to do so despite seemingly insurmountable odds. A ninth-generation Israeli-born Jew, Yossi Cohen has dedicated his life to defending his nation. In this exhilarating book he unveils the clandestine strategies that have enabled Israel to not just survive but flourish since its founding in 1949, despite being surrounded and attacked by deadly adversaries. The Sword of Freedom is an eye-opening insider''s look into Israel''s transformation from a beleaguered nation to a formidable presence on the global stage. Israel''s prosperity is rooted in smart strategies, carefully chosen alliances, and a society-wide understanding that there is no Plan B for the Jewish people. "It''s the job of the Israeli defense establishment to do whatever it can to put off the next war for as long as possible," Cohen explains, "including using covert means." Drawing from his vast experience in intelligence and national security, Cohen chronicles how Israel has consistently turned adversity into opportunity, brilliantly leveraging limited resources to maximum effect, using a range of strategies including: Questioning all information from all sources Focusing on human intelligence (HUMINT) over other forms of spy craft Winning before the battle begins by instilling fear in enemies Maintaining working relationships with challenging allies, including Russia and Saudi Arabia A testament to his unwavering commitment to truth, accountability, and the use of decisive action, The Sword of Freedom celebrates Israel''s victories and presents a road map for winning in the future.

Autorentext

Yossi Cohen served as the director of the Mossad from 2016 until 2021. As director, he personally orchestrated some of the Mossad’s most daring operations, such as the seizure of the Iranian nuclear archives—the exposure of which was among the main factors behind the United States’ withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal—and clandestine activity all over the world. In 2020, Cohen led the negotiations between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain. His unique work with these countries, and the important connections he forged with them, played an important role in the signing of the groundbreaking Abraham Accords. He is now the head of SoftBank Investment Advisers in Israel. Cohen and his wife, Aya, live in Israel, and are blessed with four children and eight grandchildren.

Zusammenfassung

Israel has always won. They are winning now. And they must always win in the future.

In The Sword of Freedom, former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen pulls back the curtain on Israel’s success in the face of never-ending war. Cohen has played a pivotal role in shaping Israel’s modern defense strategy. Blending personal stories and the nation’s history, he offers a rare glimpse into how Israel has defied existential threats and built a cutting-edge defense system. Now, he reveals how Israel always finds a way to win, as well as:

·        The secret to Israel’s success as a nation and military power

·        The future of Gaza and Hamas

·        What it takes to be in the Mossad

·        The mistakes Westerners make when they look at the Middle East

·        How Mossad helps counter terrorism around the world

·        How the art of spycraft has changed in the advent of AI and social media

·        What Donald Trump’s second presidency means for Israel

In today’s volatile world Israel must remain adaptable and resolute to survive. Cohen explores how Israel achieves this: by questioning all intelligence, prioritizing human ingenuity, cooperating with other countries (even ones you might not expect), and ensuring enemies fear defeat before battles begin.

As David Ben-Gurion observed, “History is not written, it is created.” From thrilling covert operations to strategies that safeguard borders, The Sword of Free­dom demonstrates how Israel’s transformation from a vulnerable state to a global power was no accident.