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Keret, who lives in Tel Aviv, reflects on the protests in Israel and the U.S. over the hostages and Gaza. The son of Holocaust survivors, he has left- and right-wing political views in his own family.

Maggie Smith, the renowned British actress best known to American audiences for her roles in the "Harry Potter" films and the masterpiece series "Downton Abbey," died last Friday in London. She was 89. She spoke to Dave Davies about her career in 2016.

Ta-Nehisi Coates. He's best known for his book "Between The World And Me," which won a National Book Award, and his Atlantic Magazine cover story, "The Case For Reparations." His new book, "The Message," is about his reflections on race, slavery, colonialism, and identity, on trips to South Carolina, Senegal, and Israel on the West Bank.

Hiaasen has spent his life skewering and defending his native Florida. His novel, Bad Monkey, has been adapted into an Apple TV+ mystery series starring Vince Vaughn. Originally broadcast in 2013.

Georgetown professor Daniel Byman discusses Ukraine’s daring offensive into Russian territory. And he reflects on the future of Gaza, after Israel’s military operation ends.

Sinclair grew up in a devout Rasta family in Jamaica. When she cut her dreadlocks at age 19, she became "a ghost" to her father. Her memoir is How to Say Babylon. Originally broadcast Oct. 4, 2023.

In The Road to Surrender, Evan Thomas examines the closing months of WWII, exploring the motivations of key U.S. leaders, and of Japanese commanders and diplomats. Originally broadcast June 20, 2023.

Brittany Howard has returned to our show for a second visit to talk about her new solo album and more. She became well known as the singer guitarist and songwriter fronting the band Alabama Shakes. The band's second album, "Sound And Color," debuted No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Hezbollah, the militant group based in Lebanon, shares Hamas’ goal of destroying the state of Israel. New Yorker writer Dexter Filkins talks about his reporting trip to the Lebanese/Israeli border.

In his memoir, Small Acts of Courage, Velshi traces his family’s journey, from India to South Africa — where his grandfather crossed paths with Mahatma Gandhi — to Kenya, Canada and the U.S.

The Economist Middle East correspondent Gregg Carlstrom explains why some Arab leaders hate Hamas, fear Iran and have some sympathy for Israel — although not for how Israel is waging the war.

Nguyen and his family fled their village in South Vietnam in 1975. Now his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel has been adapted into a series on HBO and MAX. Originally broadcast in 2016.

Congress and President Biden say TikTok must shed its financial ties to China or face a ban in the U.S. But Washington Post tech reporter Drew Harwell says selling the company is complicated.

Bardugo is best known for her YA Shadow and Bone series. Her adult novel, The Familiar, centers on a young woman in 16th century Spain who must hide her identity as a Jew who converted to Catholicism.

Nearly a year after the Hollywood writers' strike started, the entertainment industry remains in flux. Harpers journalist Daniel Bessner says TV and film writers are feeling the brunt of the changes.

Author Nancy Nichols says that for men, cars signify adventure, power and strength. For women, they are about performing domestic duties; there was even a minivan prototype with a washer/dryer inside. Her book is Women Behind the Wheel: An Unexpected and Personal History of the Car.

Peter Pomerantsev co-founded a project recording Russian atrocities in Ukraine to combat Russian disinformation. His new book profiles a WWII propagandist who targeted the Nazi regime.

Writer, director and producer Ed Zwick has made dozens of films and TV shows. In Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions, he writes about studios, actors and the frustrations and joys of the business.

CBS presents the latest drama series from Michelle and Robert King, creators of "The Good Wife" and its spinoff series "The Good Fight." Their newest weekly series, episodes of which will stream the next day on Paramount+, is yet another extension of the franchise. It's called "Elsbeth," and it stars Carrie Preston in the role she played in both those other series - eccentric but effective attorney Elsbeth Tascioni. But this time, Elsbeth has a new job, and she's in a new city. Our TV critic, David Bianculli, has this review.

From relentless campaigning to snubs and speeches, the Academy Awards have often reflected a cultural conflict zone. Michael Schulman discusses the controversies. Originally broadcast Feb. 22, 2023.