Dr. Victor J. Willi is a senior expert on Middle East geopolitics and political economy with over 25 years of professional experience at the World Economic Forum, the University of Oxford, Ca' Foscari University in Venice, the Geneva Graduate Institute, and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna. His expertise spans a wide range of subject areas - from economic development and geopolitical risk analysis to Middle East History and political Islam. He advises various private and public sector clients as a Strategic Advisor, helping them to navigate the complexities of the Middle East and the Global South. He is also a Marie Curie European Union Fellow and currently works on state-building and economic development in Syria, where he conducts regular field research. He teaches Middle East History, geopolitics and political economy at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna and has a PhD from the University of Oxford, an MA from the University of Zurich, and an Executive Master from the World Economic Forum. He is fluent in English, German, French & Arabic and is currently studying Chinese.

Andrea Cellino was the Head of the North Africa Desk at DCAF, the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, from 2015 to 2023, managing operations in Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia. Before joining DCAF, Andrea spent six years leading fieldwork for the OSCE in the Balkans and in Ukraine, where in 2014 he led a monitoring team in the Donbas conflict zone. Previously, Andrea was Deputy Secretary General for Policy at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels, directing the PA’s outreach programs with parliaments in the MENA region and in Eastern Europe. Andrea published several analyses on international relations and security issues, including three studies on security sector reform in the MENA region. An Italian and Swiss national, Andrea holds an MA in Political Science from the University of Torino and a Master’s in Contemporary History from the University of California, San Diego. He is a member of the Scientific Board of the NATO Defence College Foundation, as well as a member of the Italian Institute of International Affairs (IAI) and the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) in Sanremo.

Khadra Abdullahi specializes in Islamic finance, impact investing and health systems financing, with extensive experience in strategic leadership across global and development finance. At Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, she leads resource mobilisation for Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, working with sovereign, philanthropic and private sector partners to mobilize financing for immunisation and health systems strengthening. She also founded and led NexGen Advisory, collaborating with governments and the private sector across Africa to drive impact investments aligned with the SDGs. Earlier in her career, as Chief Investment Officer at Faisal Private Bank, Khadra oversaw investment strategy and portfolio solutions for high-net-worth and institutional clients, leading the design and implementation of tailored Shariah-compliant wealth management products across the Gulf, Asia, Europe and the US, with a focus on portfolio resilience, ethical investment alignment and cross-border private banking needs. In addition to contributing regularly to Islamic Finance News and lecturing on Islamic finance, Khadra is a member of Women Working for Change (WFC), a network of African female leaders affiliated with the Africa CEO Forum. She holds a Master’s in International Relations from the Graduate Institute, Geneva, and a Certificate in Finance from NYU.

Jessica Obeid is Head of Energy at MEIS and an energy engineer and policy consultant with more than 15 years of experience. She is Founding Partner at New Energy Consult, based in Dubai, and has worked in engineering firms, think tanks and consultancies across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. She is Senior Advisor for Azure Strategy consultancy in London and is a Non-Resident Scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC. Previously, she was a Resident Fellow at Chatham House’s energy programme and served as chief energy engineer at the United Nations Development Programme in Beirut. Jessica is a widely published author and has shared her deep knowledge of energy with leading institutions and international media outlets, such as New York Times, Washington Post, Bloomberg and Reuters. She has been awarded the EUVP, the US State Department’s TechWomen and UK FCDO International Leaders’ fellowships. She holds a Master’s degree in political sciences, with an emphasis on strategic negotiations, and a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

Antoine Laham served as Deputy Swiss Special Envoy for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) until his retirement in December 2025. From 2012 to 2025, he was a Senior Advisor to the Office of the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, contributing to diplomatic engagement and conflict resolution efforts throughout the Syrian crisis. Earlier in his career, he worked on security and defence policy, peacebuilding, and national dialogue initiatives for the UN and several international organizations. Between 1999 and 2003, he served as Regional Administrator for East Kosovo with the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), overseeing the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. He also held senior human rights and democratization roles with the OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina following the Dayton Agreement. He has published widely on governance, decentralization, democratization, and human rights.

Tobias Meier has a track record of building strategic partnerships with banks, insurers, asset managers, commodity traders and multinational companies seeking geopolitical insight on the Middle East, and specifically the GCC. He brings more than 20 years of business experience spanning financial services, insurance and advisory. During his long career at Swiss Re, he held senior commercial roles in Zurich and Washington DC, leading client relationships with multinational corporations, multilateral development banks, sovereign institutions and international financial organizations across EMEA markets. He has a track record of originating new business, developing key accounts, negotiating complex transactions, and building executive relationships that generated revenue growth. Fluent in Arabic and French, he combines regional knowledge with extensive commercial experience, helping organizations navigate geopolitical risk, identify opportunities and expand their business across the Middle East.

Sabiha Didouche is a junior professional in international relations and public policy, specializing in governance, security governance and reform (SSG/R), and institutional development in the Middle East and North Africa, with a particular interest in digital transformation and emerging technologies in public policy and security governance. Her expertise lies at the intersection of research, policy support, and programme implementation. At Principles for Peace Foundation, she contributed to peacebuilding and dialogue initiatives through stakeholder engagement and preparation of policy-relevant outputs. She previously worked as a Research Officer at the Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration (IDHEAP), supporting governance research and programme coordination. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Lausanne (IDHEAP) and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Geneva. She is fluent in French, English, and Moroccan Arabic.

Adrian Monck is the founder of Monck Advisory, a Geneva-based strategic communications consultancy, and Senior Advisor at FGS Global. He advises the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Abu Dhabi and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). From 2009 to 2023, Adrian served on the Managing Board of the World Economic Forum, where he built the organization’s global digital presence to over 30 million followers and led communications, public engagement and media strategy. As a journalist, he founded Five News, covered war zones and served as Professor and Head of Journalism at City University London. He writes “7 Things,” a geopolitics newsletter with 160,000 subscribers focusing on the multipolar order. Adrian holds a BA in Modern History from the University of Oxford and an MBA from London Business School.

Marc Uzan is the Executive Director and founder of the Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee, a non-profit organization established in 1994 that is internationally recognized for its work addressing issues related to the international financial architecture. Under Mr. Uzan's direction, the Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee has hosted more than 250 conferences and seminars worldwide through partnerships with central banks, think tanks, multilateral development banks and governments). In addition, Mr. Uzan has edited several books and authored academic papers on international finance, and has written extensively about economics and finance in the popular press. He has also been a visiting scholar at the Department of Economics of the University of California, Berkeley, as well as a visiting fellow at Harvard University. Mr. Uzan holds a Master's Degree in International Economics and Finance from the Université de Paris IX Dauphine.

Marianne Affolter is an advisor and communications strategist working with national and international NGOs, as well as the Swiss federal and cantonal authorities, on strategy building, politics, research and communication services. She is committed to raising awareness of social, environmental and humanitarian issues. She holds a Master’s in Religious Studies, completing specialised courses on perception and communication sciences, Arabic and Islamic studies and the history of the Middle East. She attained further postgraduate degrees in Sustainable Business Strategy and Communication. Her background includes research, journalism and internal politics analysis, notably publishing for the NZZ, focusing on migration, human rights, communication and project management in North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Emily Babot is a Senior Consultant in the Corporate Strategic Advisory Services department of a U.S.-based consulting firm. A former energy efficiency expert, Emily brings over a decade of experience in the shipping and commodities trading industries. She has led large-scale decarbonization initiatives, implemented low-carbon technologies, and ensured regulatory compliance in complex operational environments. Her career includes key roles at MSC, TotalEnergies, and CMA CGM, where she specialized in logistics, emissions reduction, and data-driven decision-making. Emily holds an MSc in Maritime Engineering from ENSM, an MSc in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Bristol, and executive education in Sustainable Business from the University of Cambridge. She combines deep technical expertise with strategic insight, focusing on innovation, efficiency, and the intersection of shipping and geostrategy.

Rasha Corti is an internationally recognized expert in migration, integration, and security policy, bridging cultures and regions across Europe and the Middle East. Holding both Austrian and Syrian citizenship, she serves on the Expert Advisory Board for Integration at the Austrian Federal Chancellery and the Vienna Integration Council, where she develops evidence-based projects at the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF). She holds an Executive Master’s in International Migration Management from Danube University and completed diplomatic training in Geneva as a former GCSP fellow. She also advised the Austrian government on migration and security matters and authored several reports on Syria’s socio-economic and security developments. She is also a frequent commentator on migration, integration, and Middle Eastern affairs. 

Malik Faraoun is an Investment Manager at the OPEC Fund, leading the execution of large-scale investments in emerging markets. Previously, he was Director at Themis, a leading project developer and investor focused on renewable energy assets in Sub-Saharan Africa. He was also a Director at the World Economic Forum, overseeing strategy, content, and engagement with top businesses, governments and civil society leaders in the Middle East and North Africa. Additionally, he was Principal Investment Officer of Africa 50 at the African Development Bank, where he led technical activities and participated in closing multiple project finance transactions worth $1.5 billion. Malik holds an MBA from EDHEC Business School in France and an Executive Master degree in Global Leadership from a joint program of INSEAD, Wharton School, London Business School, Columbia University and China Europe International Business School.

Kristopher Klaich is Managing Director at Stella Maris Strategies, a boutique strategic advisory firm operating at the nexus of frontier markets, tech innovation and government, and Strategic Advisor at Kaimeta, a digital assets advisory firm. Prior to these engagements, he spent over 20 years in fintech/blockchain, national security and international development consulting, working in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia by supporting the U.S. Department of Defense, the FBI and State Department. He also co-founded an international development company that operated in Afghanistan and Zambia. He holds a Master’s in Blockchain and Digital Currency from the University of Nicosia and a Master’s in International Relations from the Elliot School of International Affairs at the George Washington University. He received a BA in Modern European History and an International Relations Certificate from the University of Rochester. 

Myrna Souleiman is an economist and strategic advisor with experience in investment facilitation, cross-border economic cooperation and institutional engagement between Europe and the Middle East. Her work focuses on investment strategy, economic diplomacy and the interaction between geopolitical dynamics and economic development. She has held roles advising public institutions and prominent private entities on investment positioning, portfolio coordination and stakeholder engagement. Her professional background includes managing economic initiatives within diplomatic environments, supporting inward and outward investment flows, and contributing to high-level economic dialogue between governments and the private sector. Her interests include Syria’s economic transition and the role of investment and private capital in supporting long-term recovery and stability.  A Syrian and Swiss national, Myrna holds an MBA from the Swiss Business School and degrees in Economics and Accounting from Damascus University.

Professor Shirley Ze Yu is the Director of the China-Africa Initiative at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at the London School of Economics and a Senior Practitioner Fellow with the Ash Center of Harvard Kennedy School. She is a professor at the IE Business School and a distinguished Foreign Faculty Professor at the National Defence University, Islamabad. She is an expert in the Davos World Economic Forum Expert Network on China, 5G and Geo-economics, and is an opinion contributor to international newspapers, notably the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal, Shirley is a frequent commentator and contributor on China’s strategic and economic affairs for BBC News, Bloomberg, CNN, Al Jazeera, PBS Frontline, S&P Global and others. She has a Master’s degree in Government from Harvard University and a PhD in Political Economy from China’s Peking University. Her research and public policy work focuses on China’s geo-economic and geopolitical implications in the emerging world.

Ali Ahmadi is a scholar and consultant focused on the intersection of geopolitics and the global economy. He currently serves as Executive-in-Residence within the Global Fellowship Initiative of the GCSP, where he carries out research and educates diplomats and military officers on economic statecraft. He has worked with think tanks and advisory institutions around the world, including Gulf State Analytics in Washington and Vocal Europe in Brussels. His scholarly work on sanctions, export controls, and geoeconomic competition has been published in publications around the world, including in Foreign Policy, The National Interest, and International Affairs, and he has appeared as an expert on these issues in outlets such as CNBC and  Al Jazeera. He has a Master’s degree from the University of Tehran and a Bachelor's degree from the City University of New York.

Kristian Alexander is a Gulf security and foreign-policy analyst based in the United Arab Emirates. He previously served as Senior Fellow and Lead Researcher at the Rabdan Security and Defense Institute, Senior Fellow and Head of Strategic Studies at TRENDS Research & Advisory, and Assistant Professor of International Relations at Zayed University. His research focuses on Gulf security, UAE foreign policy and defense diplomacy, regional conflict and mediation, and the GCC states’ evolving international partnerships. He is the co-editor, with Khalid Almezaini, of An Introduction to Gulf Politics (Cambridge University Press, 2026) and, with William Guéraiche, of Facets of Security in the United Arab Emirates (Routledge, 2022). His analysis has appeared in academic journals, edited volumes, policy publications, and international media. He earned a PhD in Political Science from the University of Utah and a Master’s in Political Science, Psychology and Sociology at Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg in Germany.

Igor Delanoë is an expert on the geopolitics of Russia, specifically focusing on Russian interests in the Black Sea, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, as well as Russia-Africa relations and Russian security and defence issues. Since 2015, he has served as the Deputy Head of the French-Russian Observatory in Moscow, and he is also a Research Associate at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs in Paris and at the University Côte d’Azur at the LADIE and CMMC centres. He previously was a consultant for the French ministries of Foreign Affairs and Armed Forces and for the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue in Geneva. He lectured at the NATO Defense College in Rome and was a regular conference speaker at the École de Guerre in Paris. He holds a PhD in History from the University Côte d'Azur in Nice and in 2013 completed his postdoctoral studies at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Paul Fritch is an expert in European and Eurasian security, multilateral diplomacy, arms control and democratic institution-building. A career member of the United States Foreign Service, he has held senior executive positions at NATO, where he was instrumental in the creation of the NATO-Russia Council and the official launch of a NATO membership dialogue with Ukraine, as well as at the OSCE. He has also served at U.S. embassies in Bonn, Germany, and Moscow, Russia, and in a number of national security policy positions in Washington, most recently coordinating the State Department's input into the 2021 Global Posture Review, 2022 National Defense Strategy and 2022 National Military Strategy. Paul is a four-time recipient of the State Department's Superior Honor Award. He was recognized as the Department's 2006 Linguist of the Year and was awarded a Presidential Medal from the Republic of Kazakhstan for his role in spearheading the 2010 Astana OSCE Summit. He holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from Georgetown University and a master's in national security resource management from the National Defense University.

Ulugbek A. Khasanov is a senior expert on Central Asian geopolitics and regional security, with over three decades of experience across academia, government, and international business. He serves as Professor of International Relations at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Tashkent and Editor-in-Chief of the journal International Affairs: Politics, Economics, Law. His work focuses on regional security dynamics, including China–Central Asia, Russia–Central Asia, and broader Eurasian connectivity, as well as food security, water resources, and socio-economic development. He previously advised the President of Uzbekistan and held senior roles in government and international trading firms. Dr. Khasanov has led major international research projects and published extensively on geopolitics and regional development. He holds a PhD in Political Science from IMEMO in Moscow and is fluent in English, Arabic, Russian, and Uzbek.

Laetitia Meenen is a PhD researcher in Geopolitics at Sorbonne University in Paris. Her doctoral research examines the evolving strategic relations between Russia and the Gulf countries, focusing particularly on how geoeconomic networks, energy geopolitics, and regional security architectures adapt to a shifting global order. She served as a Political Affairs Junior Officer at the United Nations Department of Peace Operations in New York, working on conflict prevention and countering violent extremism in the Sahel region. She has also worked in energy geopolitics and security analysis at Securing Energy for Europe in Berlin and at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, where she focused on Arctic security. Laetitia holds a Dual Master’s degree in International Affairs from Sciences Po Paris and the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, and is an Affiliated Researcher at the SAFIR Institute, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.

Francesco Salesio Schiavi is an Italian specialist in Middle Eastern international relations, focusing on the Gulf's security architecture, particularly Iraq, Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, and military and diplomatic interventions involving the USA, NATO and the EU. His research explores military technologies, such as missiles and drones, developed and deployed by key regional actors (Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iran). He contributes to international outlets, including Al-Monitor, Amwaj, The New Arab and the NATO Defense College Foundation. From 2019 to 2023, he was a researcher at ISPI's MENA Centre and a core member of the Rome MED Dialogues organizing team. Since 2023, he has advised the Steering Committee of the EuroMeSCo Annual Conference, organized by IEMed in Barcelona. Francesco holds a BA in History and an MA in Global History and Oriental Studies from the University of Bologna as well as a Postgraduate Master's in International Relations of the Middle East from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan.

Najmeh Soltanzadeh is a PhD candidate at the University of Geneva, focusing on blockchain technology and digital governance. Her doctoral research examines the regulation of digital and decentralized finance under Swiss law, in light of international developments, with particular attention to AML frameworks and the regulatory interaction between Switzerland, the EU, and MENA jurisdictions. Previously, she worked as a legal and compliance advisor in the financial sector, advising on regulatory and risk-related matters and she currently trains experts on UNITAR and other Geneva-based multilateral institutions risk, compliance, and digital governance at. She holds a Master’s in Public International Law and has completed specialized training in AI ethics and law at Sorbonne University (SCAI) in Paris, as well as UNCTAD-certified programs in next-generation trade facilitation and blockchain in trade. She is fluent in Persian, Arabic, and French.

Simon Tzourbakis is a researcher specializing in conflict studies, energy security and maritime disputes, with a focus on the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean. During his tenure at the Swiss Foreign Ministry, he drafted policy reports on migration and security in the Mediterranean and MENA regions and strategically enhanced Switzerland’s engagement with international organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the Geneva Graduate Institute and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History from the University of Zurich. His academic journey includes studies in Egypt and Jordan, enriching his understanding of the region’s dynamics. He is fluent in English, French, German, Greek and Italian, and is currently advancing his proficiency in Arabic.

Tina Wu is a researcher specializing in the geopolitics and economics of China-Middle East relations, with a focus on Gulf affairs. Previously, she served as the public relations manager for Huawei Technologies in Saudi Arabia, where she gained experience navigating the intersection of technology, diplomacy, and business. Throughout her career, she has developed a nuanced understanding of corporate and governmental landscapes in the Gulf, and she is currently involved in several corporate and research projects pertaining to Gulf-China and Gulf-Canada relations. She has a Master’s in International Studies from the University of Montreal, where she developed analytical skills and deepened her knowledge of global affairs and the Middle East. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, French, and Arabic.

Chuchu Zhang is an Associate Professor at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan University in Shanghai, where she serves as the Deputy Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies. A political economist with a background in Islamism in North Africa, her current research explores China-Middle Eastern relations, China’s foreign policy, the Belt and Road Initiative and geoeconomics. She is the author of several publications, including Filling Power Vacuum? China’s Changing Role under the Belt and Road Initiative (Routledge, forthcoming in 2024) and Islamist Party Mobilization: Tunisia’s Ennahda and Algeria’s HMS Compared, 1989-2014 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020). She has also published in several peer-reviewed journals including in International Relations, The Pacific Review, Mediterranean Politics, Eurasian Geography and Economics, Middle East Policy, Environment and Planning: Economy and Space, Globalizations and Pacific Focus. She received her PhD in Politics and International Studies at the University of Cambridge and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, English, French and Arabic.

Corina Lozovan is a PhD candidate in Political Science and International Relations, focused on Security and Defense, at the Catholic University of Portugal. Her research focuses on geopolitics, security, space policy and the intersection of political culture and religion in the Arabian Gulf, Middle East, Europe and Central Asia. She was a visiting researcher at Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat and the Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations in London. She previously worked at the Portugal-Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce, working on Central Asian markets. She holds a Master’s in Middle Eastern Studies from Lund University and has contributed to research on democracy, nationalism and conflict. She is fluent in Portuguese, Romanian, English, French, Russian, Spanish and Arabic.

Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi is the first Arab woman to serve as Deputy Chair of the Knesset. She was also served as a member of the State Treasury Committee and previously headed the Friends Association for the Baruch Padeh Medical Center in Poriya. She later directed ACTO – the Academic Centre for Impact Investing and Entrepreneurship – at the Management College, and before that founded the Injaz Center for Professional Arab Local Governance, a leading non-profit focused on municipal development and equitable budget allocation for Arab communities in Israel. She holds an MBA in Impact Investment, completed the Impact Measurement Program at Oxford’s Saïd Business School, and earned an MA in Literature and a BA in Psychology. In 2018, she was named to Forbes’ list of the “50 Most Influential Women”.

Nassim Ali Ahmad specializes in the political economy and security dynamics of the Middle East. He previously consulted for the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, supporting diplomatic initiatives on labour remittances and migration reform. In Washington DC, he served at the Middle East Policy Council, where he led congressional outreach and authored policy analyses. Nassim has also held positions at the U.S. Department of State where he worked on internal knowledge management practices and the Massachusetts House of Representatives where he worked on local legislation. He holds a Master’s in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a Bachelor’s in Economics from Clark University.

Nadra Bunni is a second-year Bachelor student of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam, pursuing a minor in Middle East politics. She grew up between Swiss, Syrian and Saudi Arabian cultures. This background informs her perspective on European and Middle Eastern dynamics. She has gained practical experience in the humanitarian field by supporting unaccompanied minor asylum seekers in Switzerland and by fundraising for NGOs such as MSF and Aidsfonds. She has a strong interest in fostering inclusive dialogue and countering misinformation about the Middle East. She speaks Arabic, German, and English fluently and is proficient in French.

Mostafa Al-Hamed is a researcher specializing in social justice, local governance in Syria, and reconstruction in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. With a background in administrative law, he has engaged Syrian civil society organizations and international partners on institutional development, strategic planning, and policy-oriented research. His work focuses primarily on governance frameworks for recovery and reconstruction funds, accountability mechanisms, and inclusive local governance during political transition. Besides his advisory activities, he facilitates training programs and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening civic participation and institutional resilience in Syria. His interests include political transitions, governance of recovery financing, and the role of local actors in shaping post-conflict societies in the wider Middle East.