Amos Yadlin (born November 20, 1951) is a retired Israeli Air Force general, former head of the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate (AMAN) from 2006 to 2010, and a prominent national security expert, strategist, and academic. He joined the Israeli Air Force in 1970 as a fighter pilot, accumulating over 3,000 flight hours and participating in key operations, including the 1981 bombing of the Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq. Yadlin rose through the ranks to become a brigadier general and served as the Israel Defense Forces military attaché to Washington, D.C., from 2003 to 2006, strengthening military ties between Israel and the United States. As head of AMAN, he oversaw intelligence operations during critical events such as the 2006 Lebanon War, the lead-up to the 2008-2009 Gaza conflict, and preparations for potential conflicts with Iran and Syria. After retiring from active duty with the rank of Aluf (Major General), he transitioned to academia and think tanks, becoming the executive director of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) at Tel Aviv University from 2011 to 2015 and later its head. Yadlin has been involved in political discussions, briefly considered for the position of Minister of Defense in 2013, and ran unsuccessfully for the Labor Party leadership in 2013 while serving on the party's central committee. He continues to influence policy as a senior research fellow and commentator on security issues, advocating for proactive defense strategies against existential threats to Israel, particularly regarding Iran's nuclear program. Yadlin's career reflects a blend of operational military experience and strategic thought leadership, positioning him as a key figure in Israeli defense strategy and think tanks. He has authored numerous publications on military ethics, intelligence, and Middle East geopolitics, and his insights are frequently sought by policymakers and media outlets. Throughout his career, Yadlin has been recognized for his contributions to Israel's defense, though he has faced criticism for intelligence assessments during his AMAN tenure, particularly regarding the 2006 Lebanon War outcomes. No major legal controversies or allegations are documented against him, and he remains a respected figure in Israeli strategic circles.