Profile

My career has led me around the world as a journalist from Arkansas to New York, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Along the way, I’ve rubbed shoulders with Silicon Valley venture capitalists, skulked about with hackers in a Las Vegas hotel, covered two wars in Iraq and Lebanon and chased pirates off Somalia and Djibouti. I have experience in thinking on my feet, adapting to quickly changing situations, learning quickly and communicating effectively and simply in print, video and on the Web. I’m fascinated by different cultures and peoples, and always want to know what happens next. My skills in managing both myself (as a freelancer) and others (as a managing editor) come from being self-motivated, organized and disciplined.

Honors

Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford University in California from 2008-2009. I explored new ways to synergize foreign correspondence and the online medium.

Experience

Freelance journalist    2002-present

Since 2002, I’ve been a full-time freelancer in the Middle East, covering stories in Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq. I’ve written for the Boston Globe, New York Magazine, the New York Daily News, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Singapore Strait-Times and Esquire. As of May 2004, I’ve been the contract regional correspondent for TIME Magazine. In March 2006, I based myself in Beirut and covered the war there in July-August 2006. I recently relocated to Islamabad, Pakistan, where I’m specializing in multimedia journalism.

Managing editor, trends magazine    2008

As the managing editor for Trends Magazine, one of the premier publications covering Middle East business and politics, I was in charge of planning, assigning, editing and checking every issue. Under my leadership, the magazine posted its most profitable months and grew to almost 58,000 circulation. Along the way, I introduced special issues, such as one on Iraq and the hyper-connected Gulf.

Syndicated Columnist, Spot-on.com     2007-PRESENT

Weekly columnist with Spot-on.com, which syndicates the pieces through deals with newspapers such as WashingtonPost.com and the Los Angeles Times. I extensively analyze Middle East developments in this weekly column.

US Media Roundup, IraqSlogger.com    2007-2008

Tasked with daily analysis and critique of Iraq reporting from five major American newspapers covering the Iraq war. I’m familiar with the work of the Western reporters in Iraq as well as remaining conversant with the political personalities there.

Editor/Publisher, Back-to-Iraq.com / insurgencywatch.com    2002-present

In the fall of 2002, I launched, published and edited my own online publication, Back to Iraq (www.back-to-iraq.com). Combining 14 years of experience with personal travels and reporting in the region, I built a loyal following of more than 1 million readers who contributed almost US$20,000 to send me to cover the war in Iraq with no back-up, no bulletproof vest and no embedding. By May of 2004, daily readership was almost 50,000 people. I’ve since launched a new site, www.insurgencywatch.com, focusing on the conflict in the Af-Pak theater.

Media and Books Reporter, Powerful Media Inc.    2000-2001

I covered the twin beats of the magazine and book publishing industry under daily and hourly deadlines, gaining an understanding of media, business and how the two intersect.

Chief Technology Writer, New York Daily News    1999-2000

As the Chief Technology Writer for the New York Daily News, I was responsible for writing and editing Click!, a weekly three-page section on consumer technology, trends and ideas..

National Writer, The Associated Press    1997-1999

Beginning as an editor on the International Desk, I helped shape and edit the coverage of the massacres in Algeria by Islamist rebels, the pollution afflicting Southeast Asia and the death of Princess Diana. After three months, I was promoted to National Writer, where I covered and coordinated the Associated Press’ coverage of the Internet, technology and how it related to society, culture and national and international news.

Weekend Editor, Hot Springs Sentinel-Record    1992-1994

As weekend editor of the home town newspaper of President Bill Clinton during his first national campaign, I was in charge of the Saturday and Sunday papers, and aggressively covered Clinton’s run for the White House. I selected stories, supervised weekend reporters, edited wire copy and designed pages, all under a daily deadline and with rudimentary technology. After two years I returned to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Reporter/Copy Editor, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette    1990-1996

In my first journalism job, I was a reporter and copy editor for Arkansas’ only statewide newspaper, where I worked as a general assignment reporter writing obituaries, covering cops, the State House and local sports. I learned the basics of reporting and editing here, and in the middle of my time here, I joined the Democrat-Gazette’s sister paper in Hot Springs, Ark., to be the weekend editor for two years.

Education

Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism — MS in Journalism, 1997

University of Arkansas at Little Rock — BA in Journalism, 1993

Skills

I speak English, German and beginner’s Arabic. I’m proficient in most computer programs (Mac and Windows), and skilled in photography and video production (filming/writing/editing). Other skills include two years of teaching at the undergraduate and graduate schools of journalism at New York University and Columbia University in New York, respectively.

References

Available upon request