Advisory

I advise governments, international organisations, NGOs and media on Syria and the wider Middle East. My work is grounded in long-term fieldwork and Arabic-language sources, and focuses on the areas where reliable analysis is hardest to come by: tribal and local power structures, minority communities, and the politics of Syria’s transition.

Expert Reports and Country Guidance

I produce country-of-origin information and expert reports for legal proceedings, asylum and protection cases, and risk assessments. These cover the situation of specific communities and regions, the reach and behaviour of armed and state actors, and the conditions facing returnees.

Briefings on Syria’s Transition and Minorities

I provide tailored briefings for policy teams, diplomatic missions and humanitarian organisations on Syria’s political transition and its consequences for tribal, ethnic and religious communities — including the Druze, Christians, and the tribes of the east. Briefings can be delivered as written notes, closed-door sessions, or roundtable discussions.

Risk and Context Analysis

I provide context and risk analysis for organisations operating in Syria and Iraq: mapping local and armed actors, assessing how authority is exercised in particular areas, and identifying the community dynamics that shape access, acceptance and safety on the ground.

Due Diligence and Stakeholder Mapping

I advise on stakeholder mapping and local partner assessment for organisations engaging in reconstruction, humanitarian programming and investment — identifying who holds influence in a given area, and how that influence is contested.

Consultations and Expert Networks

I take part in expert networks and one-off consultations, offering rapid analysis of unfolding events, background on local actors, and assessments of how developments are likely to be received on the ground.

Media Commentary

I provide expert comment and background briefing for broadcast and print media on Syria, its transition, and the position of its communities, in English and Arabic.

Training

I design and deliver training for analysts, practitioners and journalists working on Syria and the Levant — covering local political dynamics, the reading of Arabic-language sources, and the practicalities of research and engagement in conflict-affected settings.

Get in Touch

To discuss commissions, briefings or training, please use the contact page.