Michael Oren is an American-Israeli diplomat, essayist, historian, novelist, and politician. He is a former ambassador to the United States.
With Israel’s main enemies significantly downgraded, the failure to assert our sovereignty poses the greatest threat to Israel’s long term survival. At first glance, the tragic death of the Haredi teenager Yosef Eisenthal during an anti-government demonstration in Jerusalem last week seemed totally unconnected to the shooting, by Israel police, of a Bedouin man, Muhammad…
Read moreMaduro’s capture is outstanding news for the democratic world. President Trump’s audacious action in capturing Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro in downtown Caracas and airlifting him to prison in America is outstanding news for the democratic world and especially for Israel. The operation follows many years that the United States turned its back on South America.…
Read moreTensions between Iran and the US following Trump’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Key Points: Nuclear Concerns: The discussion centers on Iranian nuclear capabilities. While the US intelligence has not confirmed Iran’s missile or nuclear facility rebuilding, Israeli intelligence has suspected such activity—which is not unusual, as Israeli intelligence often detects developments before US intelligence.…
Read more2025 was a year of war–in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. It was a year of loss and trauma but also of victory and, for the hostages, redemption. 2026 promises to be a pivotal year of breakthroughs in relations with several of Israel’s long-term foes. Beyond that, 2026 for Israel could be a year of recovery,…
Read moreRather than a departure from standard practice, recent actions by the United States continue its longstanding commitment to protect vulnerable religious communities abroad. President Trump’s decision to intervene militarily to defend Christians from ISIS attacks in Nigeria has been criticized by left and the right-wing commentators alike. Progressives denounced the operation as the product of…
Read moreNetanyahu and Trump’s pivotal meeting in a critical moment. Though it will take place in better circumstances than his previous five visits to the White House this year, Netanyahu’s forthcoming meeting at Mar-a-Lago with President Trump might well be the most crucial. On the agenda are issues that are likely to prove pivotal to Israel’s…
Read moreMein Kulturkampf Clarity with Michael Oren, February 5, 2024 “I have only one passion, that of light, in the name of humanity which has suffered so much and which has the right to happiness.” So concluded J’Accuse, Emile Zola’s 1898 attack on the French judicial, military, and political establishment. His purpose was to expose the…
Read moreFor many years—decades, even—of terrorist strikes and wars, Israel had been the most dangerous place for Jews. But is it still? Reflecting on the Bondi Beach massacre made me remember—perhaps strangely—a remark once made by my son, Noam, in his Bar Mitzvah speech. The year was 2003, the height of the Second Intifada, with hundreds…
Read moreIsraeli Intelligence Alert: Michael Oren on Australia Security Warnings Israeli intelligence warnings to Australia about security threats Guest: Michael Oren, Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Segment Focus: The interview discusses Israeli intelligence’s warning to Australia regarding potential threats to the country. During the segment, Oren is discussing communications between governments, with references to the Canadian government…
Read moreEstablishing a Palestinian state today, in the aftermath of October 7, is not only not in Israel’s interest but is, far beyond that, certifiably insane. Last Wednesday evening, December 3, in Toronto, I took part in a Munk Debate. For those unfamiliar with the institution, Munk defines its mission as “to help the world rediscover…
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