# Daniel Gerlach

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{{Short description|German non-fiction writer (born 1977)}}
{{Infobox person
| name          = Daniel Gerlach
| image         = 2024-08-12-Daniel Gerlach-Hart aber fair-6250.jpg
| alt           = 
| caption       = Gerlach at ''[hart aber fair](/source/hart_aber_fair)'' in 2024
| birth_name    = 
| birth_date    = 1977
| birth_place   = [Wuppertal](/source/Wuppertal), [West Germany](/source/West_Germany)
| death_date    = 
| death_place   = 
| other_names   = 
| occupation    = Journalist 
| years_active  = 
| known_for     = 
| notable_works = ''Der Nahe Osten geht nicht unter'' 
}}

'''Daniel Gerlach''' (born 1977) is a German author, journalist, publisher and Middle East expert. He is the current editor-in-chief of the German Middle East quarterly magazine [''zenith''](/source/Zenith_(magazine)) and director-general of the [Candid Foundation](/source/Candid_Foundation).

== Career ==
Gerlach studied history and Middle Eastern studies. He holds a licence degree from the University of [Paris IV Sorbonne](/source/Paris_IV-Sorbonne) and an M.A. from the [University of Hamburg](/source/University_of_Hamburg). In 1999 Gerlach co-founded and co-directed zenith Magazine. In 2012 he assumed the position of the magazine's editor in chief. Previously, he wrote as a freelance journalist for daily newspapers such as ''[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung](/source/Frankfurter_Allgemeine_Zeitung)'' and ''[Die Welt](/source/Die_Welt)'' and worked as a documentary filmmaker for national German television [ZDF](/source/ZDF), mainly focusing on history and present of the [Arab world](/source/Arab_world).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wam.ae/en/details/1395228382201|title=Largest-ever Western TV production on the history of Islam airs amid great critical acclaim - Updated|website=Wam.ae|accessdate=5 February 2019}}</ref>

In 2014 he co-founded [Candid Foundation](/source/Candid_Foundation), a privately chartered, independent think tank which devotes itself to international and intercultural cooperation and implements media and technology driven projects with countries of the Mediterranean, Middle East, West Asia and the Caucasus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.candid-foundation.org/our-founders/|title=Our Founders|website=The CANDID Foundation|accessdate=5 February 2019|archive-date=19 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419083702/http://www.candid-foundation.org/our-founders/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Among his co-founders were the political scientist [Asiem El Difraoui](/source/Asiem_El_Difraoui), social entrepreneur [Belabbes Benkredda](/source/Belabbes_Benkredda), and the photographer and documentary film director [Marcel Mettelsiefen](/source/Marcel_Mettelsiefen).

Gerlach is a frequent guest expert with German and international news broadcasters where he comments on Syria, Iraq, the Arab world and European-Arab relations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/erdogans-offensive-who-will-help-the-kurds/av-42405775|title=Erdogan's Offensive: Who Will Help the Kurds? - DW - 01.02.2018|website=Dw.com|accessdate=5 February 2019}}</ref> He has spoken at international universities such as [King's College](/source/King's_College_London),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://icsr.info/2018/10/16/icsr-event-expert-talk-and-interactive-session-on-the-syrian-conflict/|title=ICSR Event - Expert Talk and Interactive Session on the Syrian Conflict|date=16 October 2018|publisher=|accessdate=5 February 2019}}</ref> [Yale](/source/Yale_University),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cmes.macmillan.yale.edu/event/war-narratives-syria-deciphering-al-asads-regime|title=The War of Narratives in Syria: Deciphering Al-Asad's Regime - Yale MacMillan Center Council on Middle East Studies|website=Cmes.macmillan.yale.edu|accessdate=5 February 2019}}</ref> and [Princeton](/source/Princeton_University),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hs.ias.edu/sites/hs.ias.edu/files/Events/Gerlach%20Poster%20revised%20BH.pdf|title=''How is the Syrian Regime Constituted? The Enigma of a Security State'', Lecture at the Institute for the Transregional Study of the Contemporary Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, Princeton University|date=October 14, 2016|publisher=|accessdate=5 February 2019}}</ref> and think tanks and governmental institutions such as the [European External Action Service](/source/European_External_Action_Service).

In 2016 Gerlach gave the eulogy for the Syrian-French poet [Adunis](/source/Adunis), laureate of the [Erich Maria Remarque](/source/Erich_Maria_Remarque) Peace Prize of the city of [Osnabrück](/source/Osnabr%C3%BCck). The prize had stirred controversy from Syrian opposition members who accused Adunis of not having condemned the Syrian government unequivocally for its repressive demeanour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/syrian-poet-adonis-hits-back-at-criticism-over-german-peace-prize/a-18691869|title=Syrian poet Adonis hits back at criticism over German peace prize |website=Dw.com|accessdate=5 February 2019}}</ref> In 2017 German and international media reported that Gerlach's name had appeared on a travel ban list of Syrian state security.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tagesschau.de/thema-101.html|title=Aktuelle Nachrichten - Inland Ausland Wirtschaft Kultur Sport|website=Tagesschau.de|accessdate=5 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107181104/https://www.tagesschau.de/thema-101.html|archive-date=7 January 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

According to German news anchor [Claus Kleber](/source/Claus_Kleber), Gerlach is a "leading expert" on the [Middle East](/source/Middle_East) in Germany.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/heute-journal/heute-journal-clip-4-2758.html|title="Heißer Krieg ist noch vermeidbar"}}</ref> Gerlach is a frequent contributor to German language media outlets, including [Deutsche Welle](/source/Deutsche_Welle),<ref>{{cite web |title="Dramatischer Präzedenzfall" - Gespräch mit Daniel Gerlach, Nahostexperte |url=https://www.dw.com/de/dramatischer-pr%C3%A4zedenzfall-gespr%C3%A4ch-mit-daniel-gerlach-nahostexperte/av-51894873 |website=dw.com |accessdate=30 August 2020}}</ref> [Deutschlandfunk](/source/Deutschlandfunk),<ref>{{cite web |title=Libyen-Konferenz in Berlin "Die internationalen Mächte an einen Tisch bringen" |url=https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/libyen-konferenz-in-berlin-die-internationalen-maechte-an.694.de.html?dram:article_id=468239 |website=deutschlandfunk.de |accessdate=30 August 2020}}</ref> ''[Die Welt](/source/Die_Welt)'',<ref>{{cite news |title=Daniel-Gerlach Irak wird neues Schlachtfeld zwischen USA und Iran |url=https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article204748826/Daniel-Gerlach-Irak-wird-neues-Schlachtfeld-zwischen-USA-und-Iran.html |newspaper=Die Welt |date=3 January 2020 |accessdate=30 August 2020|last1=Böhmer |first1=Daniel-Dylan }}</ref> [ZDF](/source/ZDF),<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview mit Nahost-Experte Daniel Gerlach |url=https://www.zdf.de/politik/auslandsjournal/interview-mit-daniel-gerlach-104.html |website=zdf.de |accessdate=30 August 2020}}</ref> [Tagesschau](/source/Tagesschau_(German_TV_series)),<ref>{{cite web |title="Iran will Verhandlungsmasse schaffen" |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/gerlach-iran-101.html |website=tagesschau.de |accessdate=30 August 2020}}</ref> [''Der Spiege''l](/source/Der_Spiegel)<ref>{{cite news |title="Der Marschbefehl der Afghanen in Syrien ist klar" |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/idlib-iran-russland-und-der-kampf-um-syrien-a-ee4a3c13-ec66-430c-b6ed-8f2e26325577 |newspaper=Der Spiegel |date=25 February 2020 |accessdate=30 August 2020|last1=Peters |first1=Dominik }}</ref> ''[Die Tageszeitung](/source/Die_Tageszeitung)'',<ref>{{cite news |title=Gesellschaft und Spannungen im Libanon |url=https://taz.de/Gesellschaft-und-Spannungen-im-Libanon/!5631809/ |newspaper=Die Tageszeitung: Taz |date=19 October 2019 |accessdate=30 August 2020|last1=Voß |first1=Hanna }}</ref> ''[Tagesspiegel](/source/Tagesspiegel)'',<ref>{{cite news |title=Warum der Nahe Osten doch nicht untergeht |url=https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/arabische-welt-warum-der-nahe-osten-doch-nicht-untergeht/24509858.html |newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel Online |date=30 June 2019 |accessdate=30 August 2020|last1=Böhme |first1=Christian }}</ref> ''[Neue Zürcher Zeitung](/source/Neue_Z%C3%BCrcher_Zeitung)'',<ref>{{cite news |title=Eine andere arabische Welt ist möglich |url=https://www.nzz.ch/international/eine-andere-arabische-welt-ist-moeglich-ld.1478610?reduced=true |newspaper=Neue Zürcher Zeitung |accessdate=30 August 2020|last1 = Steinvorth|first1 = Daniel}}</ref> ''[Luzerner Zeitung](/source/Luzerner_Zeitung)'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Libyen versinkt im Chaos – jetzt lädt Angela Merkel zum Mega-Gipfel |url=https://www.luzernerzeitung.ch/international/libyen-versinkt-im-chaos-jetzt-laedt-angela-merkel-zum-mega-gipfel-ld.1186605 |website=[Luzerner Zeitung](/source/Luzerner_Zeitung) |accessdate=30 August 2020}}</ref> and [SRF](/source/Schweizer_Radio_und_Fernsehen).<ref>{{cite web |title=Entwicklungen in Nordsyrien - "Die türkische Offensive ist ein Geschenk für Assad" |url=https://www.srf.ch/news/international/entwicklungen-in-nordsyrien-die-tuerkische-offensive-ist-ein-geschenk-fuer-assad |website=srf.ch |date=11 October 2019 |accessdate=30 August 2020}}</ref> Gerlach has also featured in several international publications, including ''[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)''.<ref>{{cite news |title=International Powers Call for Cease-Fire in Libya's Long Civil War |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/19/world/africa/libya-peace-talks-berlin-summit.html?auth=linked-google |newspaper=The New York Times |date = 19 January 2020|accessdate=30 August 2020|last1 = Bennhold|first1 = Katrin|last2 = Eddy|first2 = Melissa}}</ref>

== Positions ==
In his book about the Syrian government and the sectarian element of the armed conflict, Gerlach makes reference to the method of French sociologist [Michel Seurat](/source/Michel_Seurat). He argues that the essential core of Syrian government was not simply a group of people around the [Assad](/source/Assad) family, but a distinct logic of thinking and behaviour, an ideology described as implicitly sectarian.

In 2014, Gerlach suggested that an international diplomatic initiative of Western countries should engage Russia and oblige it to assume the role of a protective force for parts of Syria in order to untangle the interests of international stakeholders and to prevent unilateral action.

In an article published simultaneously in English, German, and Russian in 2017, Gerlach suggested that [Saudi Arabia](/source/Saudi_Arabia), a regional power that officially supported [armed insurgents in Syria](/source/Syrian_rebels), had secretly endorsed or even "encouraged" the [2015 Russian military intervention](/source/Russian_military_intervention_in_the_Syrian_Civil_War) in support of the Syrian regime.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gerlach|first=Daniel|date=2017-06-20|title=Saviours by Default|url=https://magazine.zenith.me/en/politics/russias-involvement-syrian-conflict|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-17|website=zenith Magazine|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Gerlach|first=Daniel|date=2017-06-16|title=Plötzlich verantwortlich|url=https://www.ipg-journal.de/kommentar/artikel/ploetzlich-verantwortlich-2113/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716025143/http://www.ipg-journal.de:80/kommentar/artikel/ploetzlich-verantwortlich-2113/ |archive-date=2017-07-16 |access-date=2020-08-17|website=www.ipg-journal.de|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Герлах|first=Даниэль|date=|title=Внезапно свалившаяся ответственность|url=https://www.ipg-journal.io/regiony/blizhnii-vostok/statja/show/vnezapno-svalivshajasja-otvetstvennost-300/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626110906/http://www.ipg-journal.io:80/regiony/blizhnii-vostok/statja/show/vnezapno-svalivshajasja-otvetstvennost-300/ |archive-date=2017-06-26 |access-date=2020-08-17|website=www.ipg-journal.io|language=ru}}</ref> This analysis was corroborated in 2020 by news media reports stating that Saudi crown prince [Mohammed bin Salman](/source/Mohammed_bin_Salman) had secretly encouraged [Russia](/source/Russia) to intervene and, in this way, "angered" [CIA](/source/Central_Intelligence_Agency) director [John Brennan](/source/John_Brennan_(CIA_officer)).<ref>{{Cite news|last=Borger|first=Julian|date=2020-08-16|title=Saudi strongman 'encouraged' Russia intervention in Syria, lawsuit claims|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/16/saudi-strongman-encouraged-russia-syria-intervention-lawsuit-claims|access-date=2020-08-17|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

With regard to the so-called [Islamic State](/source/Islamic_State_of_Iraq_and_the_Levant), its strategy of displaying acts of extreme violence, Gerlach argues that there was nothing intrinsically “Islamic” about it. He suggests to also study analogies with Latin American [drug cartel](/source/drug_cartel)s. In an article co-authored with Naseef Naeem, a Syrian-born associate professor of state and constitutional law, both reject the use of the terms “state” or “state building” project by media and academics on IS. They argue that the organisation's project lacked key elements of statehood and, instead, suggest to call it a warfaring occupying force with an “imperial” ideology.

In an article about the ideology of resistance and the operational features of Shia militias and the Iraqi [Hashd al-Shaabi](/source/Hashd_al-Shaabi) Gerlach criticises the attribution of “jihadist” and, as opposed to groups like [Al-Qaida](/source/Al-Qaida) or the Islamic State, suggests to qualify them as “muqawamist” instead (from the Arabic muqawama for “resistance”).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://magazine.zenith.me/en/politics/jihadism-vs-muqawamism|title=Are Shia Militias Jihadist?|date=20 December 2017|website=Magazine.zenith.me|accessdate=5 February 2019}}</ref>

In a contribution for the [Washington Institute for Near East Policy](/source/Washington_Institute_for_Near_East_Policy) about the war for Syria and the escalation of violence in Idlib in 2019, Gerlach argued that sectarianism and prejudice against elements of the population were fueling certain war tactics and that, therefore, community leaders in Syria were an often-overlooked stakeholder in shaping the country's future and in mitigating against the sectarian divide.<ref>{{Cite web|title=A Turn Towards Idlib in Syria – Is the Goal to 'Achieve Homogeneity' in the Country?|url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/a-turn-towards-idlib-in-syria-and-the-homogenization-of-a-country|website=www.washingtoninstitute.org|language=en|access-date=2020-05-03}}</ref>

== Selected publications ==

*''{{lang|de|Das neue Libyen: Geschichten aus einem unbekannten Land}}'' (Deutscher Levante Verlag, 2020)
*''{{lang|de|Der Nahe Osten geht nicht unter: Die arabische Welt vor ihrer historischen Chance}}'' (Edition Körber, 2019)
*''{{lang|de|Herrschaft über Syrien: Macht und Manipulation unter Assad}}'' (Edition Körber, 2015)

== Selected documentaries ==
* 2009: ''Islam and the West''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zdf-enterprises.de/en/catalogue/international/zdfeunscripted/history-biographies/islam-and-the-west|title=ZDFE.unscripted - ZDF Enterprises|website=Zdf-enterprises.de|accessdate=5 February 2019}}</ref>
* 2010: ''Persia: Legacy of the Flames''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zdf-enterprises.de/en/catalogue/international/zdfeunscripted/history-biographies/secrets-in-the-dust-collection/persia-legacy-of-the-flames|title=Persia Legacy of the Flames - ZDF Enterprises|website=Zdf-enterprises.de|accessdate=5 February 2019}}</ref>
* 2011: ''Planet Egypt (4 episodes): Birth of an Empire, Pharaohs at War, Temples of Power, Quest for Eternity''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2104573/episodes|title=Planet Egypt (TV Series 2011– )|accessdate=5 February 2019|website=IMDb.com}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gerlach, Daniel}}
Category:20th-century German journalists
Category:21st-century German journalists
Category:German non-fiction writers
Category:1977 births
Category:Paris-Sorbonne University alumni
Category:Writers from Wuppertal
Category:Living people
Category:University of Hamburg alumni
Category:20th-century German male journalists
Category:21st-century German male journalists

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Daniel Gerlach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Gerlach) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Gerlach?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.