Journalist. Analyst. Storyteller.
A Midwesterner in the Mideast, Taylor tells personal stories on a global scale.
As The Christian Science Monitor's Middle East correspondent, Taylor tackles some of the biggest challenges of our day: climate change, polarization, migration, inequality, democracy and war. His narrative journalism blends reporting, analysis and story-telling to bring humanity and clarity to events shaping the Middle East and the wider world.
A former Global Fellow at The Wilson Center, Taylor also writes forward-looking analyses on emerging dynamics in the Middle East and North Africa from climate to security.
Read more about Taylor’s humanity-focused writing approach or browse a bio recapping his 18-year career in the Middle East. For analysis and consulting services, visit the analysis section.
BREAKING: US-Iran War 2026
Feb 28 2026 The US has struck Iran, sparking a regional war as the Trump Administration pushes for regime change Tehran. I am on the ground in Amman and elsewhere reporting on the war’s wider fallout on a Middle East in flux.
Watch this space for regular updates. To read more exclusive insights from my reporting and sources across the region, sign up to my regular newsletter. Follow my Substack and drop any questions to my ongoing free Substack Subscribers chat. You can also send along questions to thetaylorluck@gmail.com.
Meanwhile, I will attempt to address the largest questions in the coming days: why now, to what end, what’s next, and at what cost for America and the wider Middle East?
Under fire by Iran, US Gulf allies seek to balance diplomacy and self-defense
Feb 28, 2026- AMMAN, JORDAN
Within an hour of American and Israeli strikes on Iran, Tehran hit Arab states hard on Saturday, widening the war beyond its borders and drawing warnings of escalation from the Gulf………read more at CSM
Tehran retaliates after Iranian leader’s killing, widening regional war
March 1, 2026- AMMAN, JORDAN
Iran on Sunday attempted to exact a heavy price on the United States, Israel, and Washington’s Arab allies over the killing of Iran’s supreme leader.
Hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones rained down on U.S. bases, embassies, Western businesses, airports, hotels, and residential buildings in Gulf countries, Jordan, and Israel. Air-defense systems prevented widespread casualties, but the attacks that succeeded exacted significant damage, including the conflict’s first American casualties….read more at CSM.
Ayatollah Ali Khamnenei: Death of Iran’s leader marks turning-point for Islamic Republic
March 1, 2026- LONDON
Scott Peterson
Defiant to the end, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed Saturday in the first targeted strikes of a broad American and Israeli military campaign designed to topple the Islamic Republic and destroy its nuclear and missile capabilities.
State media confirmed his death early Sunday morning: “The leader of the Ummah, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, Grand Ayatollah Imam Khamenei, has been martyred.” read more at CSM
LATEST NEWS
March 2 2026: The US-Iran War Goes Global
March 1 2026: Iran retaliates for killing of supreme leader, threatening regional security
Feb 28 2026: Under fire by Iran, US Gulf allies seek to balance diplomacy and self-defense
Feb 28 2026: BREAKING US Strikes Iran, A Regional War Begins
Feb 19 2026: What a US-Iran War May Look Like- for the Middle East and Beyond
Feb 17 2026: In Gaza, Israel’s creeping Yellow Line takes Palestinians’ land, and lives
Feb 10 2026: What the Washington Post’s Cuts Mean for the Middle East
Jan 23 2026: Syria’s army is dimming Kurds’ dreams of autonomy, as the US looks on
Jan 15 2026: New Gaza governing committee meets, a step forward for fragile ceasefire
Jan 14 2026: Gulf powers fall out over Yemen. At stake is cooperation over Gaza and Syria.
Dec 24 2025: Across the Middle East, a focus on home, healing, and restored hope
Dec 8 2025: As joyful Syrians celebrate Liberation Day, their glass is half full
Dec 6 2025: Moderating Doha Forum 2025 Panel: Protecting Children in a New Era- Advancing Inclusive Humanitarian Response
Nov 7 2025: To navigate Gaza peace process, Hamas seeks help from former rivals
Oct 31 2025: PODCAST: ‘Multiple truths’: Taylor Luck on Finding the fuller story in the Middle East
Oct 29 2025: As violations rock Gaza ceasefire, Hamas’ control of territory is thin
Oct 9 2025: Israelis and Palestinians greet Gaza deal with joy, relief, and caution
Sept 30 2025: As Gazans weigh Trump plan, what’s missing is a say in their future
Sept 25 2025: In Gaza, Israeli military offensive and chaos hinder food aid
Sept 16 2025: Syria holds elections without a popular vote. Why Syrians are still hopeful.
Sept 15 2025: Can Israel, Syria sign a historic peace deal?
Aug 19 2025: Syria stops banning books. Readers rejoice.
Aug 18 2025: Taylor Luck named finalist for the 2025 Waterston Desert Writing Prize
LATEST HEADLINES
Doha Forum 2025 Panel: Children in Armed Conflict
On Dec 6, Taylor Luck moderated the Doha Forum 2025 Panel ‘Protecting Children in a New Era: Advancing an Inclusive Humanitarian Response’.
The two finalists for this year’s Waterston Desert Prize Writing are Taylor Luck and Charles Hood.
Luck, a journalist living in the Middle East, blends narrative writing with authentic storytelling. His submission, Beyond the Jordan, focuses on modern-day Jordan and the varied groups of people navigating a region in upheaval. Luck weaves his personal journey of belonging into the narrative…
Taylor Luck Finalist for 2025 Waterston Desert Writing Prize
TALK - The Trust Factor: From America to the Middle East
June 27, 2024
As part of CS Monitor’s Rebuilding Trust series, I took part in a panel discussion in Newport Beach, California, with Monitor Editor Mark Sappenfield, veteran White House and Congress correspondent Francine Kieffer, and former editor Marshall Ingwerson to discuss how mistrust has exacerbated the Israel-Hamas war, politicians’ and militia leaders’ deadly ‘algorithm of cynicism’, and potential rays of progress for the way forward.