Barry Rubin Named PJ Media Middle East Editor
PJ Media today named Barry Rubin as its Middle East editor. In addition to being a featured Xpress blogger, he will edit articles on the region stretching from Morocco through Bangladesh, recruit correspondents, and work on special projects.
“We’re excited to welcome Barry Rubin in his new role with PJ Media,” said Roger L. Simon, CEO of PJ Media. “We know few people more qualified to speak on Middle East affairs than Barry. His writing, research, and travels have given him a deep knowledge of the region, and we look forward to bringing his professional reporting and insightful thinking to our readers.”
Born in Washington, DC and living in Tel Aviv, Israel, Rubin has been a PJ Xpress blogger since April 2011. He is presently a professor at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel, the Director of the Global Research and International Affairs (GLORIA) Center, and a Senior Fellow at the International Policy Institute for Counterterrorism. Rubin has written and edited more than 40 books on the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy, with publishers including Harvard, Yale, Oxford, and Cambridge University Press. His next book, Israel: An Introduction, will be published by Yale University Press in January.
“I believe we are at a turning point in media history in which Internet publications take over from newspapers, and in my view, PJ Media is the best-quality source for news, analysis, and good writing,” said Rubin. “Given the Middle East’s importance and the poor quality coverage of that area, I hope to help make PJ Media the best source explaining events to hundreds of thousands of people around the world.”
Mr. Rubin,
Is this position in addition to JPost, or are you leaving Jpost?
You couldn’t have picked a more knowledgeable person whose writings always leave me pondering the import of his thoughts.
Mr Rubin,
I’m a District native also, went to Paul Jr High and Coolidge High. In a very long ago world.
Wise decision! I never miss reading anything this man writes.
Just hope these new duties don’t interfere with his own writing.
A wonderful decision. I can’t think of a better person to help Pajamas Media readers understand the complexities of Middle East events. Congratulations to Barry Rubin and to Pajamas Media.
This is the medium.
Too bad you can’t get Garoline Glick and LATMA on board also as a counter offense move against Israel’s suicidal leftist media and the weak government.
“he will edit articles on the region stretching from Morocco through Bangladesh, recruit correspondents, and work on special projects.”
Maybe he can recruit Caroline Glick, Sarah Honig from JPost, since that seems to have veered to the left as well.
Also, how about Claire Berlinski (yes, you can write for both Ricochet and PJM – I’ve seen Mr. Klavan over there)?
Yes,how could I forget about Sarah,and while we’re at it, Melanie Phillips always has a good dose of sanity in this insane world.
Congratulations, Prof. Rubin. You are a perfect choice for a necessary job. I look forward to more of your insightful (and sometimes refreshingly humorous and detached)commentary.
Cool move, PJM. Congrats, professor. But won’t this make it more difficult to be served in Starbucks?
I approve.
A big job for an able mind. Congratulations, Professor Rubin.
Congratulations Barry. Well deserved.
Congratulations. We look forward to your continuing insights.
Todays WSJ has an article about Turkeys role as the major US and Nato ally in the region.
WSJ points out how this alliance on our defense and intelligence area is now even stronger.
Turkey to Station U.S. Radar to Counter Iranian Rockets
WASHINGTON—Turkey has agreed to station a high-powered U.S. radar on its territory as part of a missile defense system to protect NATO allies from the threat of long-range Iranian rockets.
The deal for Turkey to host the so-called X-Band radar at one of its military bases accelerates deployment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-backed early warning system.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904716604576545210817356164.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories#articleTabs%3Darticle
I don’t trust Turkey.
It’s unwise to put much (or any) reliance on any government of a predominantly Muslim country, officially “secular” though it may be.
I would also suggest that this is not the appropriate thread for you to have posted this comment.
Barry Rubin is a scholar of uncompromising intellectual integrity with a truly good heart. This is a coup for PajamasMedia. The depth and breadth of Barry Rubin’s knowledge will be a benefit to all who read his work.
Congratulations Mr. Rubin!! I never miss reading anything you write and put your name to and I look forward to even more enjoyable, insightful and interesting reading.
Kol ha kavod to Roger for bringing Barry in a few months ago, and further honors to both for enlarging his presence.
Barry – what wonderful news…and so well deserved.
In the spirit of the loyal opposition and reality
Having Rubin as editor for MENA and SE Asia will make the PJM brand as hasbara
That means it will be preaching to the choir.
We could understand having an Arab editor–who is a Christian, Jewish, Muslim or atheist Arab–who speaks arabic
But SE Asian is composed of very different states and cultures
Rubin may be well qualified in Israeli issues
But-
Morocco to Bangladesh is composed of
Christians–Roman-Orthodox,
Muslims–Sufi, Sunni, Shiite ,
Jains,
Hindus,
Sikhs and many other groups
Rubin lacks credibility in all these areas
Simon–it is your choice and your brand.
Good luck with that
Uhh, Victor … since it seems that you want to show us your “expertise”, you might want to correct your reference to “SE (South East) Asia” to “South Asia”. I don’t think Barry is going to write or edit concering Cambodia and the last time I looked Bangladesh was commonly classified as a South Asian country.
So is it your view that Jews and or Israelis who are not anti-israel are unqualified to serve as analysts of the greater Middle East (Morocco to South Asia)? Whould you classify Rubin’s book, “The Truth About Syria” as hasbara? I’d be interested to read your critical review of the book.
The very last thing that PJM needs is a Muslim editor, Arab or otherwise.
We already have way too many sources of Muslim propaganda in the world, including just about all of the mainstream media.
Good luck Sir,
Please keep your gas mask handy, and make sure your weapon is BZO’ed incase you get one of those Fatwas of death for writing, or allowing to print something that upsets the reigion of peace.
G=d’s speed to you folks over there. There must be some unwritten rule there one can not destroy the enemy that shoots rockets at your house.
I’m sure it has something to do with compassion, and understanding of fellow human beings that deep down want to hold hands, and sing songs. The CFR says all humans are good inside.
I`ve been reading Barry`s columns for several years. He has been an excellent teacher in terms of Mideastern political affairs. I see that recently the JPost has included his analyses and opinion pieces. And why not, besides being knowledgeable, he writes with integrity. this is another good move by Pajamas Media. Congratulations.
Excellent choice. I’ve been reading Prof. Rubin’s articles for years, always balanced & objective, he goes where the evidence leads.
Congratulations to PJM on an excellent choice, and congratulations to Barry from a fellow American ex-pat in Tel Aviv.
This is a great match indeed.
I would also echo the sentiments above about recruiting Caroline Glick and Sarah Honig, as well as Claire Berlinski and Melanie Phillips – or at least seeking out occasional distributions from them. I mention Caroline and Sarah first only because they have been, like Prof. Rubin, an intellectual and moral lifeline in the far-left swamp of Israeli journalism.
Yasher Koach Roger and Mazal Tov Barry. This is PJM is my first stop in the morning.
I love Mr. Rubin’s articles, and I think it’s great he’s in this position. However, I’ve got to say one thing about it again: it’s not islamism, revolutionary islamism or al-qaedist islamist bin-ladenism… Our greatest enemy is ISLAM, period.
Congratulations Dr. Rubin, I remember some time ago I suggested that you spread your knowledgeable and informed word more widely on the Internet, and here you are a huge success!
Congratulations on a choice move !
Barry Rubin in his new role with Pajamas Media will aid in a better understanding of the area and the people that make the news.
Congratulations!I am so happy to hear this announcement. Prof. Rubin’s articles are always my first read on my stops to PJM, and I look forward to reading more! Mazel Tov!
Great news. I agree, Barry Rubin goes where the evidence points, that is the kind of analysis we need.
Congrats Barry….
Victor, Turkey just said it didn’t care what the UN says is Israel’s right to defend itself. It spits on the Palmer Report and calls its friendship with Israel the best thing Israel could ever hope for in this world. It does this while shelling Iraq, putting its generals in jail and failing to take action against Erdogan’s friend Assad. This is placing Turkey’s position in NATO in jeopardy and Congress will never approve the transfer of the X-Band.
Instead of congratulating Barry, you’re pimping for Erdogan again at the worst possible moment. A NATO member unable to grasp what self defense is as they request confirmation that NATO will come to Turkey’s defense?
Anyway, good luck Barry precessing all the coming news from the ME. I know my head aches sometimes reading this stuff and what is in store this Fall will keep the pop corn popping…..
Congratulations, Mister Rubin. You have a sensible and informed skew on all things Middle East that I like; I look forward to further articles by you.
Yay Prof. Rubin!
Great decision! Prof. Rubin`s M E deep knowledge and scientific coolness combined with the common sence make him the best figure.His understanding of Islam`s role prevent him from the demonization.
Congratulations Professor, this is good news for PJM. I mostly get my mid east news from Enduring America but never fail to read any post you make here at PJM. Your input is right on the mark and very up to date. Here’s hoping to see many more posts from you here at PJM.
I have mostly been following the antics in the ME since the Iranian selection and have been hoping for the best for every new revolution. It is really great to see some semblance of sanity coming from that part of the world. If the people can keep their work from being highjacked and actually get a bit of democratic freedom the whole world will benefit.
Prof. Rubin:
The 1st sentence of your article “Turkish Regime to Israel” is factually incorrect. The phrase – making an offer, they can’t resist- was around LONG before the Godfather was made. The movie only made more people aware of it.
Similar case in point: “hit the mattresses” I would bet as they say in Hebrew, al blaynd – the phrase had been in use in gang warfare for decades. But this was the 1st time I ever heard it.
K’dai l’dayek b’khol prat u frat- akheret,at at ata mafsid aminut.
Dr. Marduk ( a former resident of Herzliyah ha-bilti m’futakhat)