WASHINGTON - Former Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren has been named the Wilson Center’s Joseph B. Gildenhorn Distinguished Fellow. This fellowship, established in honor of the late Ambassador Joseph B. Gildenhorn, long-time Chair of the Wilson Center Board, is given to individuals who exemplify leadership in diplomacy, public service, and global affairs. 

“Ambassador Oren brings a wealth of experience as a diplomat, historian, and author. He served as Israel’s Ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2013, strengthening US-Israel relations and providing strategic insight on Middle Eastern affairs,” said Robert Litwak, Senior Vice President. “As the Gildenhorn Fellow, Ambassador Oren will engage in research, discussions, and policy initiatives that align with the Wilson Center’s mission. He will collaborate with the Wilson Center’s research programs and external stakeholders to foster open dialogue on pressing geopolitical issues to provide independent, nonpartisan analysis.”

A leading scholar, Ambassador Oren has held academic positions at Harvard, Yale, and Georgetown universities and is the author of several critically acclaimed books, including Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East and Power, Faith and Fantasy: America in the Middle East, 1776 to the Present. Ambassador Oren has a BA in International Relations from Columbia and an MA and PhD in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton.

“The Wilson Center is delighted to welcome Ambassador Oren as our newest Gildenhorn Fellow,” said Wilson Center President & CEO Ambassador Mark A. Green. “His extensive experience in diplomacy, scholarship, and international affairs aligns perfectly with the Wilson Center’s mission of fostering informed dialogue and providing independent, nonpartisan analysis on global challenges. Ambassador Oren’s insights will enhance our efforts to bridge policy and practice, offering thoughtful solutions to complex international issues.”

The Wilson Center remains committed to upholding Ambassador Gildenhorn’s legacy by supporting experts like Ambassador Oren, who bring a deep understanding of diplomacy and international engagement to the Center’s work.