Robert Tollast

About

Passionate about the Middle East, I’ve worked closely on Iraq-related projects for a decade, working in government, for the Iraq Energy Institute think tank, and as a freelancer, having reported from Iraq. Since September 2023, I've been a full-time Military Affairs Correspondent for The National in Abu Dhabi, after four years in an editing role. I’m proud to have worked with some of the most talented reporters in the Middle East. I have extensive experience producing political and security risk reports and due diligence inquiries, as well as consulting in the private and public sector.I also have experience working on energy-related projects, both for think tanks and corporate clients, while producing monthly and quarterly risk analysis for clients operating in Iraq, as well as conducting complex due diligence inquiries. In 2014, I co-produced a commissioned documentary on water shortages in Iraq which was displayed at the Institut Monde Arabe, Paris, as part of Iraq's successful effort to gain the Iraqi Marshes UNESCO World Heritage status. I have lectured at the UK Ministry of Defence on the subject of crime and insurgency in Iraq and spoken at Iraq's first international conference on terrorism in October 2017.In addition to The National, my work has been published by Foreign Affairs, The National Interest as well as Iraq Business News, Defence Management Journal and award-winning quarterly magazine Delayed Gratification.