In his new position as Mossad chief, Yossi Cohen will face most of the same threats and foes as his predecessors — Iran, Hezbollah, global anti-Semitism — as well as some new ones. His most notable challenge is the Islamic State terror group, which has rapidly become a potent force in international terror.

Though the fight against Tehran may be an uphill battle, as Western countries seek to embrace Iran in the wake of this year’s nuclear deal, Cohen will enjoy universal assistance and support as nearly every nation in the world rushes to bring down IS and prevent terror attacks.

Other than his current 3-year stint as head of the National Security Council, Cohen has worked in the espionage agency since completing his army service in the 1980s. Having served as deputy director of the Mossad from 2011 to 2013, Cohen was a logical and unsurprising choice to replace Tamir Pardo, who will step down next month.

Following Monday night’s announcement, Pardo reportedly called Cohen to congratulate him on the appointment and begin the handover period. Cohen will take over next month.

Cohen’s background in the organization is predominantly in HUMINT, or human intelligence, having run the Tzomet department, which manages the Mossad’s case officers. Cohen told reporters on Tuesday he promised to carry out “good missions” and gather “quality intelligence,” as head of the agency.

Read the article in full at Times of Israel.