David Hearst

David Hearst
Born	United Kingdom
Nationality	British
Occupation(s)	Journalist, Correspondent and Editor-in-chief

David Hearst is British veteran journalist, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Middle East Eye, a London-based independent news platform that reports on the Middle East in both English and French. A well-known commentator and analyst specializing in Saudi Arabia, he frequently speaks on regional affairs. Before launching Middle East Eye, Hearst worked at The Guardian as a foreign affairs columnist and served as a correspondent in Russia, Europe, and Belfast. He joined the Guardian from The Scotsman newspaper, where he covered education.

Career

Over a 29-year career, he reported on major events such as the Brighton bombing, 1984–1985 Britains miners' strike, and the violent loyalist protests following the Anglo-Irish Agreement in Northern Ireland. His work also took him to the early conflicts in Slovenia and Croatia during Yugoslavia’s collapse, the fall of the Soviet Union, the Chechen wars, and the turbulent political shifts that followed. He documented Boris Yeltsin’s deteriorating health and leadership, as well as the circumstances that paved the way for Vladimir Putin’s ascent.

Beginning his career at The Scotsman as an education correspondent, he later moved to The Guardian. After covering Ireland, he served as Europe correspondent before relocating to Moscow in 1992. By 1994, he had become bureau chief there. Upon leaving Russia in 1997, he transitioned to the foreign desk, eventually rising to European editor and later Associate Foreign Editor.