Oliver Poole first entered Iraq in March 2003 when he crossed the Kuwaiti border in the back of an American armoured vehicle as the only British daily newspaper reporter ‘embedded’ with the US Army. Eighteen months later he returned as the Daily Telegraph’s newly appointed Iraq correspondent, arriving to witness the historic moment when millions turned out to vote in the January 2005 national elections. It was one of the few moments of optimism he was to witness during his time in that country as for the next two years his home became a hotel room in the middle of Baghdad’s ‘Red Zone’. He witnessed the bloody impact of car bombs, saw first hand the consequences of the growing sectarian conflict, travelled across Iraq with British and US troops and had his own offices destroyed by a suicide bomber. Finally in November 2006, with the Telegraph closing down his office and his Iraqi assistants fleeing the country, he joined the masses escaping Iraq through Baghdad airport.
Born and brought up in London, he was educated at Oxford University. After working for two years at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, he joined the Telegraph Group in 1999 and was appointed West Coast of America correspondent in September 2001. He now lives in Hackney, east London.
Born and brought up in London, he was educated at Oxford University. After working for two years at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, he joined the Telegraph Group in 1999 and was appointed West Coast of America correspondent in September 2001. He now lives in Hackney, east London.
Reportage Press is a new publishing house specialising in books on foreign affairs or set in foreign countries; non-fiction, fiction, essays, travel books, old travel memoirs, or just books written from a stranger’s view.
Daniela Norris and Shireen Anabtawi in discussion - October 12th, London Jewish Cultural Centre
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