Except where stated otherwise, Kill Khalid is based on my interviews with key players and observers of the Middle East crisis. The interviews were conducted in six countries during 2007 and early 2008. Inevitably, there were a few knock-backs and many sources cooperated on condition that I not disclose their identity. One interviewee who set no conditions for my inordinate demands on his time was Khalid Mishal. I thank them all. Along the way many others gave me more help than I can ever thank them for. In Manhattan, Sally Roth was an enthusiast from the first moment I discussed the idea with her. Without her active support and encouragement, the book might not have got off the ground.
In Sydney, Alan Oakley, editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, was hugely supportive, both in his enthusiasm for the project and in allowing me to disappear from his newspaper for more than a year. As always, the team at Allen & Unwin was a great help. I thank Chairman Patrick Gallagher for his loyal backing and Editorial Manager Alexandra Nahlous for her tireless footslogging and the informed insights she offered on a hefty manuscript. In particular, Richard Walsh, of A&U, was a beacon on dark days. An exacting taskmaster, Richard worked over the manuscript in his energetic and demanding way, with encouragement and clarity when it was most needed. Maher Mughrabi followed him with lessons not just about the spelling of Arabic names, but also about sensitivities and history.