DANIEL GERLACH

"Struggle for peace in the Middle East" reading tour

The Middle East - a region that has always fascinated Europe. For centuries, it has been regarded as a perpetual trouble spot - a region where conflicts are fought out exclusively through violence. But is this image true? In his book "The Art of Peace", published by C. Bertelsmann on November 25, 2025, Daniel Gerlach tells a different story. In a ride through over 3,000 years, he paints a panorama of secret diplomacy, courageous negotiators, risky strategies and adventurous encounters.

Daniel Gerlach is not only an author and chronicler, but also actively involved in peace work himself. For years, he was involved in discreet negotiations between hostile groups - including in the Israeli-Palestinian context and in Syria. He reports first-hand on discussions with decision-makers and on the often invisible processes behind political upheavals: How did the Assad regime fall - and what is currently happening in Syria? Are there realistic paths to peace in the Middle East? What role does secret diplomacy play in the future of Palestine?

Known from talk shows, news programs and the Terra-X series "The Last Secrets of the Orient", which he presents, Daniel Gerlach combines historical depth with topical analysis. Whether archaeology, history or contemporary politics: he questions clichés, translates between cultures and repeatedly holds up a mirror to the Western view of the Middle East - pointedly and knowledgeably.