Crossword Genius

Look down on people initially invading Middle East (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mope

'look down' is the definition.

'on people initially invading middle east' is the wordplay.
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
'invading' indicates putting letters inside.
'middle east' becomes 'me'.
The initial letters of 'on people' is 'op'.
'op' going into 'me' is 'MOPE'.

(Other definitions for mope that I've seen before include "Be listless over poem" , "Hang about moodily over poem" , "Misery guts" , "Sulk; mooch" , "Wander round gloomily" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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