 Darwish also revealed secret talks between Syria and Israel; the 1988 secret missile deal between Saudi Arabia and China; and the role of the United States Navy and Air Force in supporting Saddam Hussein during the Iran–Iraq War and Hussein's long-standing relationship with the United States' Central Intelligence Agency.He was among the first writers to use the term "Islamists" to refer to Islamic extremists employing violence.Personally acquainted with most Middle Eastern leaders and statesmen, Darwish also had close ties to British Arabists and Foreign Office officials active in the region, known as the Camel Corps.