Dr. Alaa Alsayyed Hussein ABD AL AZIZ is Second Secretary in the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has served as a diplomat in Finland (2002–2007) and Niger (1998–-2000), prior to which he was a Diplomatic Attaché for European Security (1996–1998) and Commercial Attaché for North American Affairs (1995–1996). He currently heads the Programs Unit of the Institute for Diplomatic Studies. Dr. Abd Al Aziz holds a Doctorate in Political Science from the University of Helsinki, and Bachelor and Masters degrees from Cairo University. Dr. Abd Al Aziz has published in both English and Arabic on international politics and security matters.
INDIA
Tejal CHANDAN
Ms. Tejal CHANDAN is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Security Analysis in Chennai. She holds Masters Degrees in International Studies from Uppsala University in Sweden (2006) and the University of Madras (2004). Ms. Chandan was an Intern at the Peace and Governance Programme, United Nations University, Tokyo (2006) and is an alumnus of the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies, Colombo. She has published articles on regional security, foreign policy, and weapons of mass destruction.
COTE D'IVOIRE
Bekoin ACAFOU
Mr. Bekoin ACAFOU is a Staff Sergeant in the Ivorian military and Head of the Intensive English Language Institute at the National Gendarmerie Training Institute. He also teaches VIP protection and anti-terrorist procedures at the Regional African Military Academy for Peace Building in Zambakro, and serves as an interpreter for high-ranking military officials. Mr. Acafou holds a BA in English from the University of Cocody (1998) and a Superior Military Diploma (2007), and has received intensive military training in South Africa (2005).
ARMENIA
Artak AYUNTS
Dr. Artak AYUNTS (Armenia) is Assistant Professor of Sociology and Conflict Studies at Yerevan State University. He holds a PhD in Conflict Transformation from the Department of Sociology at Yerevan State University (2004), an MA in Conflict Resolution from Bradford University in the UK (2002), and a Certificate of Mediator from Central European University in Hungary (2006). Dr. Ayunts serves as a consultant to the INGO International Alert and to the United Nations Development Program in Armenia (2004–2005). He has published on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, corruption, and international security.
NAMIBIA
Abraham Lesley BLAAUW
Dr. Abraham L. BLAAUW is a Lecturer in the Department of Political and Administrative Science at the University of Namibia. He holds a PhD in International Studies from Rhodes University in South Africa (2007). Dr. Blaauw teaches and publishes on African Political Economy and Comparative Politics.
SOUTH AFRICA
Anneli BOTHA
Ms. Anneli BOTHA is Senior Researcher for Terrorism at the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria. She holds an MA in Political Science from the Rand Afrikaans University (1998) and a BA in International Politics from University of Pretoria. For ten years she served in the South African Police Service (1993–2003), holding positions at the Religious Extremism and Terrorism Desk of the Crime Intelligence Head Office, the Rapid Response Unit, the Special Task Force on Urban Terror, and Strategic Support to the Head of Crime Intelligence. She has published articles on counter-terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and organized crime.
SLOVAK REPUBLIC
Radoslava BRHLIKOVA
Dr. Radoslava BRHLIKOVA is Assistant Professor of Political Science and European Studies at Constantine the Philosopher University. She holds a PhD in Political Science from the Slovak Academy of Sciences (1999) and a MA in Political Science from Comenius University in Bratislava. She also has studied at Manchester University in Great Britain and the European Institute of Public Administration in the Netherlands. Dr. Brhlikova has published articles on theoretical approaches to international relations, security studies, and European studies.
MEXICO
José Ignacio LOBO Carillo
Mr. José Ignacio LOBO Carrillo is Director of Analysis and Legislative Studies, Technical Secretariat of the President of Mexico’s National Security Council. He previously served as a national security advisor to the Presidential Transition Staff (2006), a Technical Sub-delegate in the National Agrarian Registry (2005–2006), and Assistant Advisor to a Senator of the Republic of Mexico. Mr. Lobo holds a Masters in Political Action and Civic Participation in Democracies from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid, Spain (2005), and a Bachelors degree in Engineering from Instituto Tecnológico in Monterrey, Mexico.
MALAYSIA
Suseela Devi CHANDRAN
Ms. Suseela Devi CHANDRAN is a Lecturer in International Relations at Universiti Teknologi MARA. She previously served as Head of the International Relations Program at the University of Malaysia Sarawak (1998–2006). She holds an MA (Distinction) in International Relations from the Australian National University in Canberra (1998), and a BA from the National University of Malaysia Bangi. Ms. Chandran teaches and publishes on American Studies, terrorism, and diplomacy and negotiation.
UGANDA
Apollo Kasiita GOWA
Mr. Apollo Kasiita GOWA (Uganda) is a Colonel in the Uganda People’s Defense Force and Coordinator of the Senior Command and Staff College. He holds a Masters in Global Security from Cranfield University in the UK (2006), a BA in Political Science and Sociology from Makerere University (1982), and has received military and management training at universities in Uganda, Ghana, Israel, Zimbabwe, and the UK. Col. Gowa has held many commands within the Ugandan military and participated in the AU/UN Joint Military Commission on the pacification of the Democratic Republic of Congo (2000–2001).
CHINA
HE Xingqiang
Dr. HE Xingqiang (People’s Republic of China) is an Assistant Research Fellow at the Institute of American Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He holds a PhD in International Politics from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (2005), a Masters in International Relations from Yunnan University (2000), and has studied at the University of Hong Kong’s Center of American Studies (2004). He has published on U.S.–China relations, American politics, and terrorism.
ISRAEL
Ofer ISRAELI
Dr. Ofer ISRAELI is Lecturer of International Relations at the University of Haifa, and Instructor for the Israeli Defense Forces College for Strategic Commanders and College for Tactical Commanders. He holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of Haifa (2007). He previously lectured at the Open University of Israel (2000–2001). Dr. Israeli has served as an Operations Officer in the Department of Emergency and Security in Jerusalem (1999–2000), Commander of a volunteer rescue team for the Israeli Police (for which he earned a mark of distinction from the Minister of Public Security) (1996–2001), and as a Missile Technician in the Israeli Air Force (1986–1990). He has also worked as a journalist, nature photographer, and manager of a communications company. Dr. Israeli has published data sets and articles on territorial outcomes of war.
PHILIPPINES
Charithie JOAQUIN
Ms. Charithie B. JOAQUIN (Philippines) is Head of the Defense Management Institute, National Defense College of the Philippines. She previously served as Deputy Director of the Institute for National Security Studies (2002-2006). She holds a MA in War Studies from King’s College, University of London (2005), and a BA in Political Science from the University of the Philippines (1998). Ms. Joaquin has also received training from the Australia Emergency Management Institute, the UN Department of Peacekeeping, and the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii.
MONTENEGRO
Savo KENTERA
Mr. Savo KENTERA is Director of the Centre for International Relations at the University of Montenegro and the founding Secretary General of the Atlantic Council of Montenegro. He completed the Law School (2000) and Postgraduate Studies in International Relations (2006) at the University of Montenegro in Podgorica. Mr. Kentera has published on terrorism, NATO, and regional security.
HONDURAS
Rene PONCE FONSECA
Mr. Rene PONCE FONSECA is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Honduran Armed Forces and an aide to the Minister of Defense’s General Secretary. In his 23 year career he has held positions in the First Battalion of Engineers, as Instructor at the Military Academy, Officers School, and Command and Staff College, as Operations Officer for the Joint Task Force "ALPHA" in charge of humanitarian de-mining operations in Honduras, as Field Assistant in the Joint Chief of Staff's Office, and in the Minister of Defense's Office. Lt. Col. Ponce Fonseca holds a B.S. in Military Science from the Honduran Military Academy and a Certificate in Management. He has received professional military training in Honduras, at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, and at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
BULGARIA
Elena Kostadinova SIMEONOVA
Dr. Elena Kostadinova SIMEONOVA is Senior Lecturer of International Relations at the University of National and World Economy in Sofia. She holds a PhD in Political Science (2007) and MA in International Relations (1995) from the University of National and World Economy. Dr. Simeonova has received professional training in Greece, Denmark, and Sweden. She previously served as Assistant Trainer on a UNDESA poverty eradication project (2004–2006), UNDP Research and Analytical Team member for the Early Warning Project (1999–2002), and Senior Analyst at the Department of International Relations Association (1999–present). She has published on political crises and social impact assessment.
LIBYA
Abdulhakim Mohamed Ahmed TABT
Mr. Abdulhakim Mohamed Ahmed TABT is a Political Analyst in the National Security Council, Government of Libya. He previously served as a Police Officer, General People’s Committee for Public Security (1999–2006), as a Diplomat (Cultural Attaché at Libyan Embassy in Kampala, Uganda, 1995-1999), and as English Language teacher in the Academy of Graduate Studies (1988–1991). He holds a BA in English from Al Fatah University (1981).
COLOMBIA
Mauricio "Vargas" VERGNAUD
Mr. Mauricio VERGNAUD is Deputy Director for Defense and Security, National Planning Department of Colombia, and Associate Professor of Defense Economics at Universidad Militar Nueva Granada. He previously served the National Planning Department as Advisor in the Directorate for Economic Studies and Consultant in the Directorate for Justice and Security. He holds an MA in Economic Law from Universidad Externado de Colombia and a BA in Political Science and Economics from Universidad de Los Andes. Mr. Vergnaud has also received professional training in the United States and France. He has published articles on defense spending, defense economics, and military planning.
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