I am currently deep in the research and writing phase of my upcoming book, Terrorism in the Holy Land.   This project delves into the historical and contemporary dynamics of one of the world’s most contested and sacred regions.  My research is more than just a history of the groups and geopolitics: it is a deep exploration of the links between religious beliefs and violence, the incubation of contested identities, and the evolving nature of terrorism in the region and its impact across global terrorist narratives.  Since the 1960s and 1970s, terrorism has moved from its early origins in anti colonial or anti imperial struggles towards a more amorphous expression, driven by religious beliefs and apocalyptic visions applied to political landscapes and geopolitical dynamics.  Terrorism in the Holy Land moves beyond simplistic narratives. It explores the complex dynamics and shifting ideologies of key religious and political actors in what has been described as the most blood soaked place in the world. 

As well as a writer, I am also an artist and information visualisation expert. As part of writing Terrorism in the Holy Land, I am developing a unique visual language for the book,drawing inspiration from ancient scriptural texts and the enduring landscapes of the Holy Land. This aesthetic, drawn from my deep love of the calligraphers, artisans, and monastics who have shaped a world that is both utterly beautiful and deeply insightful, will give me a visual language for complex geopolitical topics and the violence of terrorism. This could be a timeline of terror waves, which will visually chart major shifts in terrorism, highlighting how groups like the Irgun, Lehi, PLO, Hamas, Hezbollah, and even the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) fit into this broader, often interconnected, history. It could be an infographic that illustrates the networks of shared ideologies of Hamas, the Houthis, Hezbollah or the mass slaughter of Assyrian Christians and the impact this had on the Orthodox Churches approach to geopolitical intelligence. 

I will be using my Instagram as a Researchers Notebook to craft this visual language and share fascinating snippets from my research into Terrorism in  the Holy Land. 

Stay tuned for more updates as this project unfolds.