David Aaronovitch, the writer, broadcaster and commentator on international politics and the media, will join The Times as a columnist in June.

Mr Aaronovitch has been writing for The Guardian and The Observer since January 2003. Prior to that he was a columnist with The Independent.

He has won numerous accolades, including Columnist of the Year 2003 and the Orwell prize for journalism in 2001. His work as a broadcaster has ranged from appearances on the satirical TV current affairs programme Have I Got News For You to serious-minded radio broadcasts on historical topics.

Commenting on his appointment, Robert Thomson, the Editor of The Times, said: "David is one of the great writers and journalists of our generation. He has an instinctive feel for modern culture and for traditional values, both of which are important to The Times. We are delighted to have him join the contest of ideas on our pages."

Well travelled and well-versed in the intricacies of Middle Eastern politics, Mr Aaronovitch is a critic of what he terms the "New American Empire", but also advocates international intervention in the world's crisis points.

His book Paddling To Jerusalem, published in 2000, is a record of his epic 1,500-mile kayak voyage around the Britain’s waterways, in which a warm depiction of the English countryside and manners is mixed with his thoughts on the state of the world and the Middle East.

Mr Aaronovitch said: "I am delighted and nervous to be joining The Times, and to be one of a stable that includes such gorgeous animals as Matthew Parris, Anatole Kaletsky and Patience Wheatcroft."

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