In 1977 David Balderstone, having researched conditions and calculated a budget, persuaded Greg Taylor, then Editor of Melbourne newspaper 'The Age', that 'The Age' should appoint an Australian journalist in the Middle East, writing for Australians, rather than relying on British and American correspondents. He took up the post on July 1, 1977 and was based in Amman, Jordan for the following six years. During this time he covered the historic visit by Egyptian President Sadat to Jerusalem in November 1977 and subsequent peace talks; Israeli incursions into southern Lebanon in response to...