Niall Ferguson. Photo: Chatham House / Wikimedia Commons.

Niall Ferguson

Writer and commentator

Niall Ferguson, a renowned history professor, is a prolific writer and commentator on contemporary politics and economics. His latest biography, “Kissinger: 1923-1968: The Idealist,” is considered a definitive work, based on unprecedented access to Henry Kissinger’s private papers.

Ferguson, not one to shy away from controversy, has also maintained that boycotts such as BDS serve as bulkheads against peace. “The idea that you cut off communication with a free society, with a democracy, because you disagree with its government policy strikes me as appalling,” he has said. “It is an ultimately unhelpful and unconstructive blacklisting.”

Also of note is Ferguson’s marriage to the acclaimed author and human rights activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali.