Yes, I am fairly tired of the news cycle myself. I don't find any value there anymore. Middle East is something I am invested in for work, so I get information right at my finger tips. I am in fact working actively for oil and gas exploration in Middle East for a living...so I don't have a choice. However, my news is not from conventional sources.
Regarding my personal time, I rather learn Japanese :)
Knowing you do what you do, I'm always super interested in your viewpoint, so please know there's value in your writing here! Spot on about energy and food independence. One of my colleagues in Japanese with a long term plan to move back to Okinawa where his family were from. His parents had a pearl diving company in Queensland many years ago. I love hearing his stories of Japan and still wish I'd persevered with it at high school.
Damn I wish we could travel to Iran
Whilst not keen on the US Israel thing a regime change would make life easier for a lot of people.
I have been to Iraq multiple times and did field work there, also in Syria. I have been within kilometers from Iranian border so I am looking forward to going to Iran. I am very keen to travel and work there.
I have to say I'm jealous. It's a part of the world I would have liked to drive through in our old Land Rover. Probably not a good idea now though! I find that rather sad. I did get to go to Myanmar before they shut it up again. I had a mate work for - I want to say Shell? - in Iraq. They were on a pretty good deal living in Dubai with their son's education paid for in a private school, and even when he came back to Australia because the company recognised continuity for children is important. We did visit them in Dubai which was interesting. Not a place I'd like to live though really. I hope you get to travel and work in Iran so you can tell us about it on Hive if you are able!