Raed El Rafei has worked as a journalist with various publications covering an array of fields (political, social, economic...) since 2004. After completing a BS at the American University of Beirut and a Master degree in Journalism, he first contributed articles for a specialized environmental magazine before moving to work as a reporter for the Lebanese Daily Star. In 2006, after reporting on the summer war between Israel and hezbollah, he joined the Los Angeles Times as a correspondent in Lebanon. he covered the security situation in Lebanon, wrote features on social and political issues and commented on current affairs in various Arab countries. Since october 2008, he has been working as a trainer and an editor for Middle East programs of the Institute for War and Peace reporting.