Dr Paul Moorcraft, a British author and expert in international security and military history, is best known for his in-depth analysis of conflict zones. He writes primarily on foreign policy and military affairs, having published numerous books, including The Rhodesian War (2008) and Israel's Forever War (2024).
His work often examines complex international conflicts and their broader implications. He has taught at several prestigious institutions as a media commentator for the BBC and Al Jazeera.
Paul Moorcraft was born in Cardiff, Wales. He attended Cantonian High School before pursuing higher education at Swansea University, the University of Lancaster, and Cardiff University. Moorcraft later studied in the Middle East and Southern Africa, gaining a deep understanding of the regions that would later feature prominently in his work.
Moorcraft's career began in academia, where he taught at universities worldwide, including the University of Zimbabwe, Baylor University, and the University of Waikato. He also held notable positions in the UK, such as a senior instructor at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the UK Joint Services Command and Staff College.
In addition to his teaching career, Moorcraft worked as a journalist, reporting from war zones in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. His first-hand experiences in conflict regions have contributed to the depth of his writing on military history.
In 2004, Moorcroft founded the Centre for Foreign Policy Analysis, a London-based organisation focused on conflict resolution. In his role with the centre, he participated in election monitoring and crisis management, including sending observers to Sudan during the 2010 elections.
The author's hands-on involvement in global conflicts informs much of his work, notably Israel's Forever War (2024). In this book, he argues, "Peace has never looked more impossible — but the alternative, a forever war, is even more impossible."
Paul Moorcraft currently resides in the Surrey Hills near Guildford.
Photo credit: FB @paulmoorcraftauthor
