This looks to be Alistair Cooke (spelled "Alastair" on some links):
Conflicts Forum was founded by Alastair Crooke, a trained negotiator and Mark Perry, a military, intelligence and foreign affairs analyst and writer. Both men have extensive experience in conflict resolution and negotiation. For example, Mr. Cooke and Mr. Perry negotiated the end of the Church of Nativity siege in Bethlehem in 2002, and helped facilitate the Palestinian ceasefires of 2002 and 2003. Mr. Crooke was also a staff member of the Mitchell Committee that inquired into the causes of the intifada (2000–2001). Conflicts Forum is funded by donations from individuals and businesses in the United States and the Middle East who believe that dialogue and mutual understanding is the way forward. It has had a good start and, in conjunction with other events transpiring in the Middle East, Vanessa feels that it will have an impact on U.S. policy.
Interview with former MI6 agent
Alastair Crooke is a former official with Britain's MI6 intelligence agency and I have picked up this recent interview with al-jazeera that makes fascinating reading. Considering his previous position it is probably fair to presume that his view mirrors that of MI6 and therefore makes the interview more interesting still. . .Alastair spent many years in the Arab and Muslim world and engaged in dialogue with Hamas and Hizb Allah, as well as facing paramilitary forces and drug cartels in Latin America and militias in Africa. During this time, Crooke helped end the Israeli siege of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in 2002 and worked to mediate the summer 2003 ceasefire between Palestinian armed groups and Israeli forces.
Thanks!