Future of Israel: Stories (Michael Oren)

We are all the sum of our stories – and Israelis are no different. In this episode, Robert catches up with Amb. Michael Oren to probe the latest Israeli elections in more depth, zeroing in on the hidden stories that animate the country’s voters as they pick candidates and shape the future of the country. Drawing upon a lifetime of Forrest Gump-like experiences and his own career as a storyteller, Amb. Oren opens up about his own meta-narrative(s) and how they’ve guided him through four decades in the arena. Along the way he touches on antisemitism, faith, leadership, courage, “seeing,” and a range of other topics. And all to the sweet sounds of Muzak as he sits in the lobby of a New Orleans hotel.

Dr. Michael Oren is an American-born Israeli historian, author, politician, soldier, and former ambassador to the United States (2009–2013). His latest book is Swann’s War, a historical fiction “whodunit” set in the final years of World War II.