Crossword Genius

Letters from commissar about one from middle east, perhaps (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

arab

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'letters from commissar' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'one from middle east perhaps' is the wordplay.
'one' becomes 'a'.
'from' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'middle east perhaps' becomes 'rab' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'a'+'rab'='ARAB'

'about' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for arab that I've seen before include "Fine horse breed" , "Someone from the Middle East or North Africa, perhaps" , "Semite" , "Qatari or Omani, say" , "Saudi, e.g." .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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