Welcome to the Eric Metax's show.

You know, sometimes Eric pretends to be interested in his guest.

But he's really just doing a crossword puzzle and rolling his eyes in what they say.

He told me never to say that ever.

But look, I made a mistake.

Uh-oh.

I'm human.

In my way.

Only I'm not.

And now you're a host, Eric Mataxis.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Eric Mataxis show.

I happen to be Eric Mataxis.

That is a coincidence, but this is a show that's intentional.

I speak to different people on the show. Spectacular guests. For example, today, I have somebody, I've wanted to get for a while.

His name is Michael Oren. He's difficult to sum up. Why don't we start with his location? He is in Jaffa, Israel. Michael,

welcome the program. Great to be with you, Eric. Hi. I don't know where to begin with you,

principally because you're a writer of fiction, short fiction. I want to talk to you about fiction,

but I want to talk to you about Israel. How do you come to be an expert on Israel and the political situation? Is it just

because you're the Israeli, worthy Israeli ambassador to the United States of America? Is that it?

No, my life at an early stage bifurcated. On one hand, I was a writer,

fiction and nonfiction, and on the other, I was interested in diplomacy. I did four degrees in

Middle East history and international affairs and got involved in diplomacy and politics. I've been a

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