Our media training for officials from the UN International Organization for Migration in Erbil was all set for mid-June 2025 when Israeli and American bombs rained down on Iran, blocking Iraqi airspace. ‘No problem to push back to July,’ said our trainer John Holland – who is no stranger to conflict in the Middle East, having covered the first Gulf War in 1991 as a correspondent. However, just as John’s flight was approaching Erbil, the airport was attacked by drones, forcing his plane to make an abrupt U-turn to Turkey.

John finally made it to Erbil safe and sound and delivered a first-class media training, drawing on his 35-years’ experience of the region as a journalist and media expert. Describing the training as “informative and inspiring,” the organiser said: “Everyone left the 1.5-day training feeling more confident and inquisitive about media engagement and set up personal goals to be more involved. This is a great output for us.”