Michael Oren is one of those people who has done more in his lifetime than seems possible: historian, Soviet Jewry activist, soldier (paratrooper no less!), diplomat, husband, father, and musician. Jay and I welcome him to Need to Know this week to discuss his newest book. This one isn’t a history, at least, it’s not the sort of history he’s written before. This one is a memoir of his time as Israel’s ambassador to the United States. He may pull some punches, but lands a great many others. We have a meaty discussion — including a bone that Jay feels bound to pick (with my complete agreement!).

We then turn to Ron Radosh who reports on a true outrage — PBS’s plans to air a laudatory, and utterly dishonest it should go without saying, documentary about the Black Panthers. The country is riven by racial tension in the era of “Black Lives Matter” and what does PBS do? It spins myths about the Black Panther party. This cannot go unanswered. For a better account of what the Panthers were really about, read this. And do join us for a very nourishing Need to Know.