Loyalists accused Mr Ford, a veteran US arabist, of being a CIA agent intent on undermining the regime.
From the telegraph.co.uk
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A scholar who specializes in Arab languages and culture
An Arabist is someone normally from outside the Arab World who specialises in the study of the Arabic language and Arab culture, and often Arabic literature.
Arabism, the Arabness, of a people, of culture.
(Arabism) a devotion to Arab interests, custom, culture, ideals, and political goals.