This was an interesting little book about Aaron Cohen and his time in the secretive Israeli special forces unit called ‘Sayeret Duvdevan’. What I liked about the book was the Israeli point of view about counter terrorism. That, and how they conducted operations in the territories.
Mr. Cohen made some pretty interesting observations about the current state of the US counter terrorism strategy here CONUS. He makes some excellent points about the necessary mindset needed to combat a terrorist. I would have liked to have read some more about tactics and mindset, but mostly this book was a biographical of Mr. Cohen. What makes him an interesting story, is that he was raised in America, yet he was able to climb the ranks into Israeli Special Forces in Israel as a volunteer.
Probably the best story in the book, was the take down of the financiers behind the Dizengoff Massacre. Talk about well planned and well executed! Also, check out Mr. Cohen’s security company in Los Angeles called IMS Security -Head Jundi
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Editorial Reviews
General Tommy Franks (ret.)
“Aaron Cohen has something to say. And he knows what he’s talking about. If you’re conflicted about how aggressive America should be in the global fight against terrorism, read this book. Cohen knows that national survival ain’t free. A no-nonsense, riveting read.”
Dale Brown
“It’s more than a story of the making of an elite unconventional warfare operative—it’s a real, in-your-face, and mesmerizing look at the birth of a patriot. You will be inspired, believe me.”
Kirkus Reviews
“He brings us into the shadowy world of Sayeret Duvdevan, offering details of his missions and his training, throwing in some contemporary and historical context, introducing us to his comrades-in-arms and delivering numerous gory anecdotes.”
Product Description
At the age of eighteen, Aaron Cohen left Beverly Hills to prove himself in the crucible of the armed forces. He was determined to be a part of Israel’s most elite security cadre, akin to the American Green Berets and Navy SEALs. After fifteen months of grueling training designed to break down each individual man and to rebuild him as a warrior, Cohen was offered the only post a non-Israeli can hold in the special forces. In 1996 he joined a top-secret, highly controversial unit that dispatches operatives disguised as Arabs into the Palestinian-controlled West Bank to abduct terrorist leaders and bring them to Israel for interrogation and trial.
Between 1996 and 1998, Aaron Cohen would learn Hebrew and Arabic; become an expert in urban counterterror warfare, the martial art of Krav Maga, and undercover operations; and participate in dozens of life-or-death missions. He would infiltrate a Hamas wedding to seize a wanted terrorist and pose as an American journalist to set a trap for one of the financiers behind the Dizengoff Massacre, taking him down in a brutal, hand-to-hand struggle. A propulsive, gripping read, Cohen’s story is a rare, fly-on-the-wall view into the shadowy world of “black ops” that redefines invincible strength, true danger, and inviolable security.
About the Author
Aaron Cohen grew up in Beverly Hills, California. After spending three years in one of Israel’s “black ops” units, Sayeret Duvdevan, he returned home and founded IMS Security, a consulting firm that specializes in protecting politicians, business executives, Hollywood actors, and rock stars, and offers counterterrorism training to the United States military, to local and state police departments, and to various SWAT units around the country. He lives in Los Angeles.
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