With the election of Hassan Rouhani in Iran, people want to know what this development means for the nuclear program and Iran’s relationship with the West. Plenty of armchair commentators are lining up to offer answers.

Yet as I wrote on Ynet last year, how many of those who pronounce on this issue can say they have any real knowledge of the minutiae of the Iranian nuclear programme and the complexities of the Republic’s political scene?

A man who has both in spades is writer David Patrikarakos. I’m currently reading his book Nuclear Iran: The Birth of an Atomic State. His thoroughly-researched book is based on extensive research, primary sources and first-hand interviews with the key actors throughout the 60-year history of the program.

Unlike most ‘commentators’ on this issue, David has visited Iran several times. He is not only interested in how the country’s politics may impact on the West, he actually cares about the 77 million people of Iran.

In other words, he’s the real deal. Read Michael Ezra’s review of Nuclear Iran here and follow David on Twitter here.

Follow me on Twitter. Sponsor me to run the Windsor Half Marathon for Colel Chabad.

Visit Chas’s blog here.