Patrick J. O Brien, at The Blogs

Apr 23, 2024, 11:21 AM

With Ukraine in peril, Zelenskyy pleads for aid!

Journalist-Patrick-O-Brien-reporting-on-the-streets-of-Lviv-in-2023

The last few weeks have been unlike any we have seen before in the Ukrainian Russian conflict. Russia has launched a deliberate and devastating series of attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, taking advantage of gaps and shortages in Ukraine’s...

Mar 25, 2024, 6:25 PM

With hindsight and thirteen years on, was killing Gaddafi a serious mistake for Libya and a lesson for the Middle East

Muammar Gaddafi and Prime Minister Mintoff waving to the crowd at the main entrance to the Auberge de Castille, Malta, 31 March 1979 (Image courtesy of author)

Like many journalists, I smiled when Gaddafi was overthrown, and I was relieved when he was dead, because I was still naive enough to think revolutions brought democracy. They simply don't. Gaddafi might have been a dictator, but he...

Jan 29, 2024, 2:21 PM

In death, Ireland’s most notorious murder suspect Ian Bailey still casts a disturbing spell

The cottage of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier which still remains in the family name today. (Image courtesy of author)

For journalists like me, Ian Bailey was a man of contradictions, a man of many moods. I remember in my youth spotting him on many occasions wondering around my home city with an ego and arrogance that many found...

Dec 29, 2023, 4:34 PM

2024, No World War, But a World at War, as New Conflicts Set to Escalate

Journalist Patrick O Brien in talks with the Head of the Red Cross in Lviv Ukraine during his recent visit (Image courtesy of author)

To be an optimist about a world of peace is to run the risk of being branded ignorant, incorrigibly naïve or outright demented. And to remain an optimist, a glass half-full kind of person, after 30 years of working...

Dec 15, 2023, 7:43 PM

Czech President Petr Pavel takes aim at populism as it loses its public allure

Czech President Petr Pavel a new and welcomed voice in Europe (Image courtesy of author)

To me ‘Populism’ is a dirty word because doing what the population wants is not necessarily what the population needs. The example per excellence is Latin America, where successive governments corrupted democracy by doing what the majority wanted as...

Nov 17, 2023, 8:09 PM

There’s no such thing as a ‘holy war’

The Knights transformed the island of Malta. Turning it into a formidable stronghold. With success they defended Malta against several Ottoman attacks (Image courtesy of author)

If your idea of being “holy” is to kill innocent civilians, burn down churches, attack the vulnerable, tell people how to live, disturb peaceful assemblies, and force your idea of the law upon everyone else, regardless of which religion...

Nov 15, 2023, 3:05 PM

Europe is a dangerous battleground for Investigate journalists

For the past 18 years the Italian journalist Roberto Saviano has been under police protection. (Image courtesy of author)

"The attack on journalists must be seen as an assault on society, on the people, on everyone's right to express themselves and to be heard" Patrick J O Brien , FLiving TV Investigative journalists face a myriad of dangers which...

Oct 26, 2023, 10:51 PM

Shifting tone, peace talks on Eastern Europe’s dirty war in Ukraine

Latvian entrepreneur and EXT founder Gatis Eglitis accompanying his colleagues as they travel into Ukraine this month. (Image courtesy of author)

I reconfirmed the Government of Malta unequivocal commitment to standing with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and Malta's unwavering and continuous support to the Ukrainian people,"Malta's Foreign Affairs Minister stated to Journalist Patrick J O Brien ahead...

Oct 20, 2023, 5:55 PM

Biden, a problematic arbiter

US President Joe Biden (L) meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023, (Brendan Smialowski / AFP)

It is monumental task for any diplomat in any era to contain a fire in the world's oldest match box, much less amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine with the real threat of more terrorist attacks in Europe. US President...

Oct 13, 2023, 7:15 PM

All eyes on Gaza as focus shifts from Eastern Europe

Reporter Patrick O Brien interviews Deputy Mayor of Lviv in Ukraine (Image courtesy of author)

For Vladimir Putin, a war in the Middle East is welcome news because it diverts international attention from the atrocities that Russia is committing in Ukraine, for Zelensky it’s a time to bolster much needed support as aid decreases...

About Me

Patrick J O Brien is an acclaimed journalist and Director of Exante who has been working in the media for almost 25 years. Patrick who hails from Ireland is based in Malta and a contributor to some of the world’s leading financial and political magazines. Recently he returned from Ukraine where he was reporting at ground level on the escalation of war and spent time documenting the work of the Red Cross and many human right organisations