Arwa Mokdad is a Middle East analyst focusing on regionalism in the Gulf economically, politically, and culturally. Currently, she is a DPhil candidate researching conflict mediation within Yemen at the University of Oxford. Her work focuses on local, regional, and international peace-building efforts within Yemen. By emphasizing both the security interests of regional actors and the local buy-in necessary for sustainable peace, her research brings peace and security studies within dialogue. She has worked and lived extensively in the MENA region, including a non-profit in Oman and refugee camps in Lebanon. Her work experience includes NGOs (Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation) and think tanks (the International Center for Dialogue Initiatives). Her articles have been featured in the Harvard Middle East Journal, Responsible Statecraft, and the New Arab. Arwa holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in International Studies with a speciality in Human Rights.
is a GIS specialist who uses maps to understand how the world works. He worked as a research assistant for the School of Public Policy and Government, University of Arizona. His research focused on using technologies like GIS and data analytics to understand political violence presence and promote sustainable peace. His work was presented on many international forums including The International Cartographic Conference (ICC), Esri User Conference, and the International Cartographic Association. Mohamed holds two master degrees: M.A. in Strategic Studies from the Institute of Research & Strategic Studies, and M.S. in Geographic Information Systems Technologies (GIS) from University of Arizona USA, and B.Sc Surveying Engineering from the University of Khartoum-Sudan.
Noaman Madibbo is a research specialist in risk management focusing on compliance and due diligence. Concurrently he is also a graduate student at the George Washington University pursuing a master’s degree in International Business. His work experience has encompassed a variety of fields, also including internships at democracy promoting NGOs such as the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and think tanks such as the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP) in Washington, D.C. His interests include comparative politics, political theory, and international trade, and aims to focus his research on the intersection between public policy and private sector. Madibbo holds a bachelor’s degree with Honors in International Politics and Economics from the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University.
is the founder of the Red Sea Initiative. His research focuses on the growing influence of Middle Eastern counties in the Horn of Africa. He follows current dynamics that are shaping political transitions across the Red Sea region. His research focus has partially developed from his work experiences across East Africa and the Middle East. Mr Zaidan is doing his Ph.D. studies at the University of Washington in Seattle. He earned an M.A. in statecraft and national security affairs from the Institute of World Politics in Washington D.C. that focused on a comparative national security system. He received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering at the University of Khartoum in Sudan in 2012. He published several articles in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the World Politics Review, Inside Arabia and the National Interest.