CV

    Lt. Col. (res.) Stéphane Cohen is the head of the OSINT Department at the Data Analytics Center of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS). Raised and hardened in the rural countryside of Burgundy, France, Cohen moved to Israel at eighteen and filled several IDF positions in the Israeli Air Force and the International Cooperation Unit. His last position was commander of the IDF liaison unit to the UN forces in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel.

    Cohen has received multiple awards for outstanding service, including the State of Israel President's Award and the Israel Air Force Excellency Decoration. Until 2017, Cohen served as the Director of the Diplomatic Program at The Israel Project (TIP), a non-profit organization based in Washington and Jerusalem that provided facts to policymakers, the press, and the public on issues affecting Israel and the Middle East. Cohen has a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from the Open University of Israel (2011) with honors, an M.A. in Security and Diplomacy from Tel Aviv University (2014), and graduated from the UN Military Observers Course (2006). Cohen has contributed to various scholarly publications, including the Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs, Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies, and IPS - IDC's Journal for Policy and Strategic Affairs.

    Stephane  Cohen
    Stephane Cohen
    Researcher
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    Database
    Interactive Map: IDF’s operations in Gaza
    On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to a large-scale surprise attack launched by Hamas and additional terrorist organizations from the Gaza Strip. During the assault, approximately 6,000 terrorists infiltrated Israeli communities near the border and IDF bases in the area, while 4,300 rockets were simultaneously launched into Israel’s civilian hinterland. The attack resulted in the murder of 1,163 Israelis and the abduction of 251 others. Since then, The IDF has dismantled Hamas’ military capabilities—striking over 44,000 targets, eliminating approximately 17,000 terrorists (including the Hamas leadership), destroying around 90% of its rocket arsenal, and demolishing about 40% of its tunnel network. Most of the hostages have returned home, mainly through exchange agreements, but the mission remains incomplete. Alongside significant military and strategic achievements, the “Swords of Iron” war has exacted a heavy toll: over 1,860 Israelis killed (including those killed in the initial assault) and more than 24,000 injured. This map presents the IDF’s operations in Gaza, including strike points, and areas of control and evacuation. It is regularly updated, as accurately as possible, based on open-source intelligence assessments and media reports.
    24 March, 2025
    Database
    Interactive Map: The Lebanese Front
    The map highlights the five IDF outposts located north of the Blue Line and marks areas where ceasefire violations have been recorded. Additionally, it documents Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Hezbollah attacks on Israel during the Swords of Iron War, including Operation Northern Arrows. The map is continuously updated as accurately as possible, based on open-source intelligence assessments and media reports.
    10 March, 2025
    Database
    Interactive Map: The Syrian Arena
    On December 8, following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Israel launched Operation Arrow of Bashan in Syria. During the operation, the IDF operated in the buffer zone and took control of the peak of Mount Hermon on the Syrian side. At the same time, at least 136 Israeli airstrikes were carried out across the country, 65% of them targeting the western regions, including Damascus, Daraa, and Latakia. According to the IDF spokesperson, these strikes resulted in the destruction of 70%–80% of the Assad regime’s military capabilities within just 48 hours. This map displays the Israeli strikes in Syria during Operation Arrow of Bashan. Additionally, it illustrates the areas of control within the country and the various actors operating there, including Kurdish, American, and Turkish forces. The map is continuously updated as accurately as possible, based on open-source intelligence assessments and media reports.  
    26 January, 2025
    Database
    Interactive Map: The Houthi Front
    On October 19, 2023, just days after the outbreak of the Swords of Iron war, the Houthis in Yemen declared an additional front against Israel as part of their commitment to the Iranian-led “Axis of Resistance” and the concept of “unification of the arenas.” The Houthi militia, which is supported by Iran and controls large parts of Yemen, directly launched missiles and UAVs against Israel and imposed a naval blockade in the Red Sea, disrupting global trade. According to the IDF spokesperson, since October 2023, the Houthis have launched approximately 220 missiles and around 170 UAVs toward Israel.   This map displays both Houthi attacks on Israel and IDF strikes in Yemen, located approximately 1,700 km from Israel’s borders. Additionally, the map illustrates the threat ranges of Houthi weaponry, including attack UAVs and ballistic missiles.   The map is updated regularly and as accurately as possible, based on open-source intelligence assessments and media reports.  
    6 January, 2025
    Database
    A Year of War: A Summary of Data from All Fronts
    7 October, 2024
    Database
    Swords of Iron: an Overview
    The Data Analytics Desk at the INSS provides accurate and updated data during the Swords of Iron War
    6 October, 2024