Michael Bassin

Michael Bassin has traversed the Middle East as a journalist, businessman, soldier, student, and traveler. He is the author of "I Am Not a Spy: An American Jew Goes Deep in the Arab World & Israeli Army," a memoir about his experiences as an openly Jewish exchange student at universities in the Arab world and his later service as a combat Arabic translator in the Israeli army. His Middle East expertise has made him a frequent speaker to groups and organizations with an interest in the region. In addition, Bassin is a partner in a Tel Aviv-based technology company and regularly provides commentary to news outlets on the Middle East. He has been featured on Public Radio International, the BBC, the Times of Israel, and the Jerusalem Post. He lives in Ramat Gan, Israel.