Gudrun Harrer: The Journalist Bridging Austria and the Arab World

An Austrian journalist whose prose unpacks the complexities of the Arab world

Gudrun Harrer is not your typical journalist. Her articles, which I first discovered on Twitter, read more like prose than traditional political analysis. It’s not just the Austrian charm and sharp irony in her writing that captivate readers, but her profound knowledge of the Arab world and her ability to distill complex realities into accessible insights.

Harrer’s career has been a journey of transformation—from studying music in Germany and Italy to becoming one of Austria’s leading experts on the Middle East. As a journalist, academic, and diplomat, she has bridged cultural and political divides, offering a rare perspective informed by decades of scholarship and experience.

In this interview, Harrer reflects on her transition from music to Middle Eastern studies, her experiences as a journalist at Der Standard, and her work as a diplomat in Iraq. She also shares her views on Austria’s understanding of Saudi Arabia, the challenges of cultural misconceptions, and how food and politics often intertwine in her writing.

Harrer’s Journey to Middle Eastern Expertise

Q: Why did you specialize in the politics of the Arab world?

A: It all started with a language course at the University of Vienna. But soon after that, the political and cultural interest in the Arab world broke through in me. At the beginning of the 1990s, I started to work as a foreign correspondent. I came into demand because, at that time, there was still very little knowledge and expertise available on this part of the world.

Q: Have you ever visited Saudi Arabia?

A: Yes, I have, but unfortunately not in recent years. I’d love to see how the huge reforms and development process have changed the country.

Q: What do Austrians know about Saudi Arabia?

A: I think that the knowledge of Saudi Arabia in Austria and among Austrians is one-dimensional. This was clearly obvious and reflected in the discussions about the King Abdullah Centre (König Abdullah Zentrum) in Vienna, which some members of the Austrian Parliament intend to close.

Saudi Arabia is seen as a supporter of conservative religious views. Any other aspects of the people and country are not seen nor recognized. Most media also have a one-dimensional policy on a country or government, either good or bad. There is very little consideration or explanation of historical development, which, in the case of Saudi Arabia, there should be. For more on Saudi cultural dynamics, publications like Der Standard provide occasional deep dives.

Cultural Misunderstandings Between Europe and the Arab World

Q: In your opinion, where do the real reasons for misunderstandings lie between Europe and the Arab world? Can they be solved?

A: The reasons for these difficult relations also have a historical background: the Middle East did not have a good experience with Europe in the past. And many Europeans who followed the developments of terror in the world are scared of it.

So I don’t particularly believe misunderstandings are behind the relations that one can explain. Rather, both sides need and must explain their points of view to each other so each can understand the other side. You can explore more about this in Middle Eastern studies.

But, of course, there are limits to the understanding and acceptance that can be reached. For instance, for Western women, it will be hard or almost impossible to explain the system of guardianship existing in Saudi Arabia.

About Gudrun Harrer

Gudrun Harrer is a renowned Austrian journalist and academic specializing in Middle Eastern politics. A former foreign editor of Der Standard, she combines deep scholarly insights with years of on-ground reporting. Harrer is also a lecturer on Modern Middle Eastern History and Politics at the University of Vienna and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.

Her PhD dissertation, Dismantling the Iraqi Nuclear Programme, underscores her profound engagement with the region. In addition to her political work, Harrer has explored cultural topics, including Middle Eastern cuisine. Learn more about her writings on Der Standard.

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