Xan Smiley Keynote Speaker

  • Middle East and Africa Editor for The Economist
  • Respected and experienced commentator on foreign affairs
  • Has worked for many leading publications and broadcasters

Xan Smiley's Biography

Xan Smiley has been the Middle East and Africa editor of The Economist since 2003.

He was the magazine’s Europe editor from 1995 to 2003, and before that, from 1992, he was its political editor.

Previously, he was the US correspondent of The Sunday Telegraph, Russia correspondent of The Daily Telegraph, and foreign-affairs leader writer for The Times. From 1977 to 1981, he was editor (and later a co-owner) of Africa Confidential.

Xan started his career in journalism reporting from Africa, where he worked for the BBC, CBS, The Observer, The Spectator, The New York Review of Books, The Atlantic, Foreign Affairs, Time, and others.

Book Xan Smiley as keynote speaker at your next event or conference.

Read More

Videos of Xan Smiley

Africa’s young population: opportunity or risk? (2010)
On scenarios for Zimbabwe (2010)

Check Xan Smiley's speaking fees and availability

    Sending your message…

    Please wait, this can take a moment

    Message sent…

    Close

    Please provide your details and we’ll get in touch as soon as possible.

    We can only respond to requests for professional speaking engagements. We are unable to respond to requests for autographs, shoutouts and personalized messages.

    Discover other speakers

    Stella Assange Speaker
    Exclusive
    Stella Assange
    Human Rights Lawyer and Activist
    James Crabtree Speaker
    Exclusive
    James Crabtree
    Author - Former Executive Director of the Asia office of the International Institute of Strategic Studies
    Maithreyi Seetharaman Speaker
    Exclusive
    Maithreyi Seetharaman
    International broadcaster across business, economy, civil society and the economy
    Shashank Joshi Speaker
    Exclusive
    Shashank Joshi
    Defence Editor, The Economist
    Maha Aziz Speaker
    Exclusive
    Maha Aziz
    Author, Illustrator and Professor at New York University's Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
    Leslie Vinjamuri Speaker
    Exclusive
    Leslie Vinjamuri
    Expert on international security, geopolitics and US Foreign Policy
    robin niblett
    Robin Niblett Speaker
    Exclusive
    Robin Niblett
    Expert Geopolitical Analysis - Director and Chief Executive, Chatham House (2007-2022)
    Simon Coveney Speaker
    Exclusive
    Simon Coveney
    Deputy Prime Minister -(Tánaiste) Held key Ministries including Defense, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Enterprise
    Carla Sands Speaker
    Exclusive
    Carla Sands
    Vice Chair of the Center for Energy & Environment at America First Policy Institute
    Sanam Vakil Speaker
    Exclusive
    Sanam Vakil
    Director Middle East North Africa Programme, Chatham House