Mohamed Hassanein Heikal

Mohamed Hassanein Heikal was an Egyptian journalist, author, and political commentator whose career connected reporting with the power centers of modern Egypt. He served as editor-in-chief of Al-Ahram from 1957 to 1974 and became closely associated with President Gamal Abdel Nasser, whose policies and pan-Arabist outlook he helped explain to a broad readership. His books and commentary made him a prominent interpreter of Egyptian and Middle Eastern politics, while also making him a controversial public figure.