Dr Nikolaos van Dam is the former Dutch ambassador to Indonesia, Germany, Turkey, Egypt and Iraq, and Special Envoy for Syria. As a junior diplomat, he served in Lebanon, Jordan, the Palestinian Occupied Territories and Libya. He is the author of The Struggle for Power in Syria (2011) and Destroying a Nation: The Civil War in Syria (2017).

Drawing on decades of service across some of the most dynamic and challenging postings, van Dam shares vivid experiences that illuminate the intersections of politics, culture and history. From tense negotiations in conflict zones to personal encounters that reveal the warmth and resilience of local communities, each chapter brings diplomacy to life with clarity and candour. The narrative goes beyond official corridors, capturing the humour, humanity and unexpected lessons discovered in unfamiliar lands. With an eye for detail and deep respect for cultural diversity, the book bridges worlds too often divided by misunderstanding.

Both a memoir and a window into global affairs, My Diplomatic Journeys in the Arab and Islamic Worlds is an insightful, engaging and deeply human account of what it means to serve as a diplomat in times of change and uncertainty.