Dr. Wilfried Buchta

Let’s assume you are a TV or radio journalist and want to produce a background feature on the anniversary of a fateful Middle Eastern event that still has an impact today. That could be the takeover of the US embassy in Tehran on November 4th, 1979 or the beginning of the US invasion of Iraq, March 20th, 2003. There are countless similarly important events and annual dates to choose from. Time is of the essence and the number of information sources is large and confusing. Which of them is actually based on facts and which is tendentious? And which selected experts on the topic or contemporary witnesses can you invite so that they, as serious interview partners, can provide informed, well-considered, unbiased statements? Admittedly, selecting good media articles, literature or interview partners is difficult. Anyone who has not dealt with these topics continuously for several decades, as I have, can easily make a mistake in the selection - and thus lead themselves and their viewers or listeners up the garden path.

I am available for hire as a consultant to assist you in preparation of and during production of features like these or others.

As a decision-maker in a governmental or private development aid agency you are looking to send employees into a war or civil war-torn Arabic city (e.g. Mosul in Iraq). Which one of the local government officials is trustworthy? Who is not engaging in corruption, has real pull and what political powers does this person play into the hands of? How safe is it? Where are the risks and how can they be avoided or at least minimized?

Gross judgment errors may not only flush the developmental aid resources into corrupt channels, but also risk the lives of your employees. This is what makes a consultation to address these questions so extremely important.  

For a fee, I am able to lend my support. For example, I can provide an assessment of the situation at hand regarding the regional and local political power constellations and security status. Identifying and contacting trustworthy and efficient partners (if available!) for a successful cooperation is also something I can help with. I am happy to set up the appointments, conduct the necessary preliminary talks as well as accompany you to the meeting at location, either in an individual setting or within different event formats.

You are a decision-maker in an organization that is involved in medical emergency aid or disaster assistance. There is a severe humanitarian crisis in one of Iran’s sub-regions, caused by the uncontrolled spread of a pandemic (such as Covid-19) or an earthquake. Iran's authorities, otherwise strictly opposed to Western aid due to political paranoia and espionage hysteria, allow Western aid teams to enter the country, including yours. What political and social conditions do the aid teams expect to encounter? What kind of factors are important and how do they further or hamper your work? Which pitfalls need to be avoided in order to prevent risking the humanitarian efforts and possibly your own safety?

To answer these questions and increase your humanitarian aid mission’s chance of success, I am happy to lend my support for a fee. For example, I am offering special workshops and training that prepare your aid team members for the political, social and religious-cultural conditions in the target country for the duration of their stay.