He is smart and independent. I trust him not having a geopolitical agenda, he cares for the people living in the region. And I think he is a true intellectual with a great interest in history.

Strangely enough, there is good Middle East reporting in Germany by academically educated journalists.

Kristin Helberg is great, she reminds me of Peter Scholl Latour in his good times.

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristin_Helberg

Thomas Avenarius from "Süddeutsche Zeitung" is nice as well. Though I think he is usually crippled by his neocon boss.