The Middle East has always been a political hotspot. Due to the political and geological ramifications of every event that occurs throughout the Middle East, it is easy to see why so many educated scholars and analysts have devoted their career to covering the region.
With that being said, there are typically very few reliable writers covering the area who do not also showcase a political bias. Today, we are going to introduce our readers to a couple of prominent writers and experts who routinely cover the Middle East.
1) Trita Parsi – Trita Parsi is the co-founder and EVP of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Parsi is widely considered to be one of the most reliable voices when it comes to Middle Eastern politics and geopolitical affairs. Parsi is a professional consultant who has been employed by governments in the West, the Middle East, and throughout Asia. Parsi authored the book, ‘The Secret Dealings of Iran, Israel and United States’. As far as prominent expert voices go, it can be hard to find someone more well-versed than Parsi.
2) Amir Handjani – Mr. Handjani is another prominent voice in the world of Middle Eastern politics. Handjani has been focused on relations between Iran and the United States with a notable concentration of the Iran nuclear arms deal. Handjani has seen his work published by some of the most prominent international organizations currently in operation including Reuters, Al Jazeera, Bloomberg, and Newsweek. Handjani currently operates as a Senior Fellow for the Atlantic Council as well as a Fellow at the Truman National Security Project.
3) Reza Aslan – Reza Aslan is, perhaps, one of the most mainstream voices in the world of Middle Eastern affairs. Aslan rose to fame thanks to his humor and scholarly insights. When Aslan is not brought in as an expert talking head for various news organizations, he tours the world giving speeches and lectures. Aslan currently operates as a Wallerstein visiting professor within the United States. Reza Aslan was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. He has published three books on religion and currently serves as a member of the National Iranian American Council.
4) Noam Chomsky – The inclusion of Noam Chomsky when it comes to Middle Eastern discussions is of the utmost importance. Chomsky is a well-known philosopher who is considered to be one of the founding fathers of cognitive science. Chomsky has written extensively on a number of different topics but his book ‘Middle East Illusions’ is a necessary purchase. Chomsky is known for cutting to the quick as it relates to the complex political and social machinations that sweep through the Middle East.
Studying the Middle East and understanding the region correctly are two different concepts. In order to really get a firm understanding of the goings-on of the complicated region, consider broadening your resources for study. While we’ve outlined four of the most respected Middle Eastern scholars, our list is far from exhaustive. Use the prior scholars as a resource when broadening your own exploration of the topic!