Anthony Shadid has died. A brilliant, insightful reporter, whose work illuminated so much of the complexity of the Middle East — and who, at times, was subject to it, as during his capture and imprisonment with three other journalists during the Libyan revolution — he will be much missed, and our understanding will be poorer for his passing.
For those interested in the politics of the region, Shadid gave a moving lecture at the American University of Beirut several years ago, a talk entitled “Loss and Nostalgia in the Middle East.” It’s available for view on the AUB website. Well worth watching.
benjamin morris 