In his 42 years at the New York Times, Thomas Friedman has covered the world.

He’s been stationed in London, Beirut, Jerusalem, and Washington. He’s reported and offered his analysis on the White House and the Middle East. And, he also has written several best-selling books, including the critically acclaimed “The World Is Flat.

Friedman will deliver a lecture titled “Forces Shaping the World” on Wednesday morning at the San Joaquin Valley Town Hall series.

“The talk will be about how I look at the world today,” Friedman told GV Wire while traveling to Fresno. “One of the big trends that I see coming together (are) technological, political, geopolitical, social and economic, and how to understand them and how to make sense of the world today.”

GV Wire is a sponsor of the Valley Town Hall series.

Pessimistic on Israel-Palestine

Friedman has written extensively about the Middle East. He sees the three biggest headlines as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Israel.

“You have a homegrown revolution brewing in Iran that I think is the most serious challenge to the Iranian clerical leadership ever,” Friedman said.

He also says to keep an eye on the Saudis, and the ultranationalist government now in Israel.

In a column Friedman wrote last month, he soured on the prospect of peace between Israel and Palestine. He called the future a “One Big Mess Solution.”

“Israel is now living in a one-state reality. There is no prospect of a two-state solution in the near term,” Friedman said.

He said Palestinian leadership is unraveling, with unrest among young Palestinian adults.

Town Hall Wednesday

Friedman will deliver his lecture at 10:30 a.m. in the Saroyan Theatre. He is the second of six speakers for the season.

Country music legend Rosanne Cash was the first speaker on Nov. 16.

Those ahead are constitutional expert Noah Feldman (Feb. 22), health expert Susan Lynch (March 15), journalism legend Bob Woodward (March 29, rescheduled from October), and actress and activist Marlee Matlin (April 19).

Tickets are still available and will be sold at the venue for $60.