Eyal Hulata
A former Israeli National Security Adviser and Mossad veteran, Eyal Hulata is a key figure in Israel's strategic planning regarding the Iranian nuclear threat and regional security architecture.
Eyal Hulata served as Israel's National Security Adviser and Head of the National Security Council (NSC) from 2021 to 2023. A physicist by training, Hulata spent over two decades within the Mossad, where he held senior positions in technological and strategic planning units. His tenure as National Security Adviser was marked by a focus on the 'Octopus Doctrine'—confronting Iran directly rather than just its proxies—and managing the complex diplomatic-security relationship with the United States during the Biden administration.
Hulata has been a vocal analyst of Israel's long-term campaign against Tehran. He maintains that while Israeli operations—both kinetic and diplomatic—have successfully delayed Iranian ambitions and degraded certain capabilities, these gains are inherently temporary. In his strategic assessments, Hulata emphasizes that tactical successes in the 'campaign between the wars' (MABAM) must be leveraged into a sustainable long-term policy. He warns that without a clear and decisive strategy for the 'next phase,' the achievements of previous years could be eroded by Iranian persistence and regional shifts.
Beyond the Iranian file, Hulata played a significant role in the negotiations surrounding the maritime border agreement with Lebanon and the expansion of the Abraham Accords. His approach is characterized by a blend of high-tech intelligence methodology and traditional realpolitik, prioritizing Israeli security self-reliance while maintaining deep coordination with Western allies. Since leaving office, he has continued to contribute to the strategic discourse, providing critical oversight on how Israel must adapt its defense posture to meet evolving multi-arena threats.