Michael Jansen The author, a well-respected observer of Middle East affairs, has three books on the Arab-Israeli conflict. The author, a well-respected observer of Middle East affairs, has three books on the Arab-Israeli conflict. 11 Feb 2021 Timur Goksel Covid-19 is no respecter of persons. It infects rich and poor alike and kills persons who have both harmed and benefitted countries where they dwell. Last week the virus struck down Timur Goksel, a man of modest means who did his upmost to promote peace in Lebanon. He was the long-serving spokesman and political adviser of the UN peacekeeping force (UNIFIL), a university professor, and an advocate of conciliation between adversaries rather than warfare. This region needs men like Timur in our era of enduring warfare.