ANALYSTS

Christina Barbarousi is a graduate of the Department of Local Government at the Technological Educational Institute of Peloponnese and holds a Master Degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the Law School of the University of Nicosia. She is specialized in development / business planning and has been awarded a grant from the Operational Program “Education and Lifelong Learning” of NSRF 2007 – 2013. She is a member of the Hellenic Association of Political Scientists and of Cyprus Youth Diplomacy. She speaks English and Italian language. Her research interests mainly focus on Welfare and War Economics, Public Choice, Social Bargaining and Game Theory, Local and Regional Development.

Aris Bilinis is a master student at the University of Bologna in International Relations and Diplomatic Affairs with main curriculum of studies the International Policy and Security. He has obtained his Bachelor degree at the University of Athens in Media and communication while during his Bachelor studies he has attended classes at the University of Salzburg in Austria and the University of Vilnius in Lithuania through mobility programmes. From August to December of 2017 he has worked on his master thesis, on the international intervention at the Macedonian Question at Vassar College in the USA as a Research Fellow. He has attended various seminars and simulations related to International Politics and Security issues while in 2017 he did a four month long internship at the Greek Embassy in Rome. He is fluent in English, Italian, Spanish and German.

Evangelos is a graduate of the Department of Mediterranean Studies of the University of the Aegean, in the direction of International Relations. Currently he is a postgraduate student at the Mediterranean Studies postgraduate program at the University of Peloponnese in Corinth. He held a practical training at the Megara Land Registry, at the Western Attica Region and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has attended several courses related to the subject of his studies and has participated in the MRC Rhodes simulation and Mare Nostrum (as a volunteer and as a rapporteur). He knows quite well English, as well as he has basic knowledge of Arabic language. His research interests include issues of the Greater Middle East, of the Mediterranean, Geostrategy, Crisis Management and International Organizations.

Maria Galanaki is a graduate of the Department of International and European Studies of the University of Piraeus. She holds a Master Degree in Terrorism, International Crime and Global Security from Coventry University. She has participated in many research groups regarding security, European issues and international relations. Maria has also been a member of different simulations in Greece and around the world, while she was one of the organizers of the biggest simulation of the European Institutions in the Balkans (Europa.S.). She has been a member of the Students Association for International Affairs (SAFIA), where she has been the Head of the Committee on Terrorism. She speaks 4 languages; Greek, English, French and Arabic.

Giovanni Giacalone is an Italian sociologist and islamologist. Raised between Texas and northern Italy, he holds an MA in Islamic Studies at Trinity Saint David University of Wales with a thesis on the development of Islamic communities in Italy. Further specialization abroad in counter-terrorism. Bachelor degree in Sociology from the University of Bologna. His research interests and activities are focused on three areas: the study of Islamism in Italy, the analysis of Islamic radicalism in the Balkans and in the northern Caucasus, the phenomenon of street gangs in Italy, UK and the US. His expertise fields are profiling, networking and the study of radicalization process.
He is currently an analyst for the Italian Team for Security, Terroristic Issues and Managing Emergencies (Itstime) of Università Cattolica di Milano and he writes for “Il Giornale” and “Gli Occhi della Guerra”.
He has recently introduced the concept of “Balkanic Spiral” (Spirale Balcanica) in order to describe the progressive jihadist escalation in the Balkans, identifying and analyzing the different phases from the mid-90s to nowadays. A concept that he exposes in his book “La Spirale Balcanica”, published in 2016.
Among his other publications there are: “I pericoli di una Spirale Balcanica” in “L’Italia e la Minaccia Jihadista. Quale politica estera?” (Ispi 2015) and “La guerra al terrorismo della Russia” in “Rinascita di un Impero. La Russia di Vladimir Putin” (Proudhon 2015).

Aleksandra has completed her master’s degree in law at the University of Lodz in Poland. She spent one semester of her studies at the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens. She gained her professional experience while working in a private law offices, internships in public institutions, mainly in courts. Currently leading to the profession of legal adviser. He speaks Polish, English and, to a lesser extent, Spanish. Her research interests are focused on Eastern Europe.

Jez obtained his MA in Southeast European Studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. His BA in European Studies was obtained at the University of Amsterdam, with a major in Eastern Europe. In addition, he spent one semester at the Bogazici University in Turkey, where his interest in the country and region further intensified. He holds both the Dutch and Italian nationalities and is proficient in Dutch, English, Italian and Spanish.

Emmanouil Karakolios is currently a second lieutenant in the Greek army. He was born in Thessaloniki in 17 November 1993. He graduated from the 1st High School of Kalamaria in 2011. He was admitted in Aristotle university of Thessaloniki, in the Department of Law, Economics and International Relationships and completed his first year of studies successfully, while gaining admission in Hellenic Army Academy and chose to continue in Military Studies. He graduated in 2016 having excelled in every school of tactical war and strategy that he attended. He received Award of Excellence and Scholarship granted by the Greek Communication Organization. Currently he is a post graduate student at University of Nicosia in the Department of Internationals Relations and European studies. He speaks English and French fluently being awarded prizes from French Institute of Athens. He is a highly motivated and hardworking individual with great interest in areas such as green energy, environment and intercultural relations. His eventual career goal is to serve his country with pride, devotion and consistency, while achieving his personal goals.

Mrs. Maria Marinou Karga was born in Chios in 1994. Mrs. Karga graduated from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration of the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, where she focused on International and European Studies. She is a postgraduate student of the Program “Shipping, Transportation and International Trade” of the Department of Shipping and Business Services of the University of the Aegean, where she focuses on Maritime Law and Maritime Finance. She did her six-month internship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UN and International Organizations and Conferences Directorate and at the Regional Unity of Chios of North Aegean Region. Mrs. Karga also held her internship as an Adviser at the Permanent Mission of Greece to the UN, in New York, from 15th of December 2016 to 15th of March 2017. She attended open UN Security Council meetings, meetings of human rights issues, workshops and meetings of the UN Economic and Social Council, in particular the Committee on Social Development and the Committee on Women’s Situation etc. Mrs. Karga worked as a Special Advisor to the Mayor of Chios, from July 2017 to March 2018. She has participated in a variety of National, European and International conferences, seminars and simulations of the United Nations in Greece, France, Italy, Kosovo and Russia. She received the third distinction at the 17th Hellenic Youth Parliament. Today she is a member of SAFIA and member of the Alumni Association of Political Science and Public Administration. She had write articles on the Power Politics website. She speaks Greek, English, French and she has basic knowledge of Turkish and Russian language.

Born 1972 in Athens, Greece. He studied Political Science and International Relations at the American University in Cairo (Cairo, Egypt) and at the University of East Anglia (Norwich, UK). He is certified Geostrategic Risk Consultant (GsRc / III). He worked as political risk analyst in EU development programs, PHARE and TACIS, for Eastern Europe and Russia respectively. Since 2002, he works in the MENA region on energy and commodities sector. Academically, he has coined the term of geo-entrepreneurship to indicate the crucial role of the human and entrepreneurial capital into geostrategic thinking and patterns. He is author of a book on geo-entrepreneurship (The Geo-entrepreneurs’ Empire, ISBN 978-960-93-5438-7) and essay contributor in peer-review Foreign Affairs journal. He is lecturer on geo-strategy and regular commentator on current affairs in the international media.

He was born in 1995 and he is originating from the city of Kavala. He is an undergraduate student at the Department of Political Sciences in Aristotle University at Thessaloniki. He has participated consistently in numerous university models of United Nations, UNESCO and Regional Organizations, in Greece, Romania and Turkey, and was awarded at several occasions for his appearance, while he has served at any possible position in them such as but not limited to Delegate, Board Member, Secretariat. He speaks English and French. He is the co-founder of «Dialogos» the Simulation of the Municipal Council of Kavala. Meanwhile, in the year of 2016-2017, he has served as the Secretary in the Board of Directors of the Greek Association of Political and Economic Science Students (GRAPESS), while in 2017-2018 he successfully completed his internships in the Municipality of Kavala and the Permanent Representation of Greece to the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) in Vienna. Currently, he is attending his Internship in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens. His academic interests focus in the resolution of transnational conflicts and the aspect of International Security with special focus in the regions of Caucasus, Africa and the Baltic.

Marianna is a graduate of the department of International European and Regional Studies at Panteion University. She has excellent knowledge of English and holds the basic knowledge of French. Last year she participated in the Erasmus + program at Romania’s Nicolae Titulescu University. She has attended several seminars on the subject of her studies and her research interests include international relations, foreign policy and strategy, Greek-Turkish relations, terrorism and human rights.

Vasilis is a Holder of a Master’s Degree in Southeast European Studies (University of Athens) and a Bachelor’s Degree on Balkan studies (Aristoteleio University of Thessaloniki). Currently, Vasilis is a PhD Candidate at the University of Thessaly in the Department of Economics. His PhD thesis amongst others evaluates the Impact the Directive 2009/81/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council has on the European Defence Industry.
Vasilis is a tested professional, responsible today for the content and administering of the Epicos Portal (www.epicos.com), as well as the requirements specification (features and functionalities) of its future upgrade (currently on-going).

Undergraduate student at the Law School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Graduate of the Pedagogical School of Ioannina university. Excellent knowledge of English and a basic knowledge of German. He has attended various seminars and scientific conferences on the subject of his studies. His research interests include International Relations, International Law and, in particular, geopolitical, energy and security issues.

Born in 1995 in Athens, Danae Leventi studied social sciences to challenge assumptions and sate her curiosity about understanding the causes of things. Danae holds a Masters degree in International Political Economy from University of Warwick and a BSc in Economics from Cardiff University. Danae also attended a summer semester in ESSCA Ecole de Management in Paris focusing on International Finance, while she also pursued a diploma in International Political Economy at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) where she was awarded for her outstanding performance.
Danae has been exposed to culturally diverse environments throughout her studies and life experiences, and she speaks Greek, English and French with basic knowledge of Arabic. Danae has always been intrigued by the political and social dynamics that shape economic policies and the financial markets. She has a sharp interest in the contemporary economic and political challenges of Europe and her main research interests include EMU and Banking Union, Economic Governance, Crisis Management, Politics of Global Finance and International Financial Markets. Her latest research has focused on the path of European integration after the Eurozone debt-crisis. The institutional choices of European actors with regards to crisis-management were analysed and evidence was drawn from the Greek bailouts, to epitomise on the intergovernmental character of European policy-making.

Lieutenant General Retired Konstantinos Loukopoulos was born in Chalkida in 1958 and graduated from the Military School of Evelpidon in 1981.
He is a graduate of the National Defense School and has completed Strategic Security Studies at the George Marshal Center in Germany while attending a large number of Schools on Strategic Security and International Relations.
He has been a Spokeswoman of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, Director of International Relations at the Ministry of Defense and served in many Administrative and Staff positions.
He served as a Course Director and Professor at the NATO School in Oberammergau in Germany for three years, and for three years as the International Military Staff Coordinator at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, chairing the corresponding Military Committee Working Group at the same time.
He is the Coordinator of Defense and Diplomacy at liberal.gr. and apart from a member of KEDISA, a member of the Hellenic Institute of Strategic Studies.

Giouli is a graduate of the Department of International, European and Area Studies of Panteion University of Athens. She is fluent in English, has a significant knowledge in French and basic knowledge in Spanish. She is currently working as an intern at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, while last year she studied at Leiden University of the Netherlands as an Erasmus+ student. She has participated in simulations and has also attended numerous conferences and seminars related to her field of studies. Her research interests include human rights, foreign policy and strategic studies, as well as the protection of the environment.

Christina is a graduated of the department of Political Science of the University of Crete. Currently she is postgraduate student in Political Science and International Relations with specialization in Global Risks and Analytics at the University of the Peloponnese. Furthermore, she holds degrees from Biopolitics International Organization (e- learning courses) with subjects “Climate Changes” & “Sustainable Development and Strengthening of the Role of Youth in Building a Green Society”. She was president of the Local Youth Council of the Municipality of Nafplio (TO.SYN.). Between July 2013 and January 2015 she worked at Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports (General Secretariat of Sports) as associate of former Deputy Minister. She has attended several seminars related to her studies. She speaks English and has knowledge of ECDL computers. Her research interests include issues of International Relations, Diplomacy and Threat Identification and Analysis.

Vasilis is a graduate of the department of Mediterranean Studies (University of the Aegean) with focus on International Relations and International Organizations. He holds an MA in Strategic Studies from the University of Reading. He is a member of the Russia-Eurasia and Southeast European Sector in the Institute of International Relations (Group of Human Rights and Democracy). He has participated in a number of seminars about Theory of War and Military Sociology/ Military Psychology. His academic interests focus on War Theory, Security Studies and the wider Middle East Region.

 Myrto holds a Bachelor degree in Political Science at the Democritus University of Thrace.Currently she is postgraduate student in International Studies with specialization in European Studies and Diplomacy at the University of Macedonia. She held a practical training session at the Municipality of Mayor of Pella in the mayor’s press office. She has attended several seminars related to her subject and has participated in a regional council simulation. She knows speaks English and has knowledge of ECDL computers. She has been a member of E.O.NE.PE, JEF, YOUTH BUSINESS OF NETWORK and EOD. Her research interests include issues of International Relations, Diplomacy, Crisis Management and Strategy.

 Nina is a graduate of the Department of International and European Studies of the University of Piraeus. Nina was a member of BRICS research group of the University of Piraeus, and specifically she was a member of the research group about Russia. She had participated in various seminars and in Europa.S, a simulation of the European institutions in Greece. Her research interests include the issue of international security. She speaks 3 foreign languages: English, French, Russian and she has a basic knowledge of Arabic language.

Konstantinos was born in 1988. He has graduated from Kykkos High School in a practical branch with excellent performance degree. He has served his military service as a Military Police (Special Forces), with the rank of Sergeant. He has studied Mathematics with specifite Philosophy in United Kingdom. He holds a postgraduate diploma in Business Administration. He, also, studies Public Administration (MPA). He speaks fluent English and basic Russian. He has attended a large number of meetings and seminars and has been the external representative of POFEN and the Cyprus Youth Council, Abroad. He has been a member of the European Union Students Union (ESU) and General Secretary of the Mediterranean Student Network (MedNet). He is also a Lecturer for Seminars and Experiential Laboratories at the Pancyprian Parents School. He has been a Municipal Councilor of Youth. He write articles of his have been published in Cypriot and foreign press. He is a member of the Institute of Young Scientists (INE) and a member of the Cyprus Youth DiplomaCY. He has been a member of the Economic Studies Group and the International Relations Committee of Democratic Party. Today he works as an administrative officer in a group of companies.

Athanasios is an Industrial/Petroleum Engineer and Alternate Committee Member of the Greek Energy Forum. He specializes in the development of oil & gas and power markets in the UK and the Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean. Also, he is the owner of the website Energy Routes in which he publishes all of his articles for the global energy industry. He has published more than 50 energy opinion articles in major Greek and English Energy websites (in English: Natural Gas Europe, Europe Energy Review, OilVoice, International Petroleum Students Magazine, Resources Global Network Magazine, About Oil Magazine and Rigzone) Currently, he is working as PV Performance and Monitoring Analyst in the UK. (LinkedIn Profile)

Piotr obtained his Master’s degree (M.A.) in Law from the University of Warsaw in Poland. Currently, he attends postgraduate studies on Translation and Interpreting at the University of Warsaw. During his legal studies he had a chance to take part in the Erasmus+ program in Athens and in Budapest, where he participated in numerous seminars and conferences. He gained his professional experience during his work in a private legal office, internships in public institutions and most recently in the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Jakarta, where he had an opportunity to gather knowledge related to International Affairs. He speaks fluently English, Polish and to a lesser extent German.

 Theoni is a graduate of the department of International, European and Area studies at Panteion University. She speaks fluently English and French. She is a columnist on the student site Neopolis and a proactive researcher at the Institute of International Relations in the field of Euro–Atlantic studies, in the US Domestic and Foreign Policy group since 2016. She has attended a multitude of workshops and seminars on International Relations, EU, Geopolitics and International Law. Her research interests include the International Relations, the International Law, the environmental and energy issues.

Eva is a graduate of the department of Mediterranean Studies of the University of the Aegean, following a course of International Relations. She has participated in several UN and Regional Organization models. She has attended a number of seminars regarding her object of studies. In addition, she has participated as a speaker at the Mare Nostrum conference. Native languages include English and Greek, as well as basic understanding of Arabic. Her research interests include terrorism, Greek-Turkish relations, Human Rights, Wider Middle East and North Africa.

Georgia-Christina is a graduate at the department of History and Archaeology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with specialization field in History. She has elaborated researching papers throughout her undergraduate studies in modern european, in byzantine and in ancient greek history. She conducted her internship at the Society for Macedonian Studies as a historian-documentalist. Also she has worked as a columnist in an online informative site. She speaks Greek, English, German. Her research interests focuse on International Relations and International Safety.

 Dafni has completed her undergraduate studies in International and European Relations at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki and earlier in the Tourist Enterprises at the Alexandrio Technological Institute of Thessaloniki. She is currently pursuing her postgraduate studies in International Defense and Security at the Paris Institute of Political Sciences in Paris with specialization in American military studies and Secret Services. She has worked for years alongside with her studies in the field of professional and student orientation. She has taken part in numerous conferences, simulations of international organizations and educational trips in Thessaloniki, Athens and Paris. She has received a scholarship from her university in Paris and besides Greek, she speaks excellent English, Spanish, French and Arabic while she also writes for the Institute of International and European Affairs (DGT). Her research interests focus on North America, the Secret Services and the worldwide military operations, capabilities and developments of the countries and of international organizations such as NATO.

Laura graduated from the University of St. Andrews with a Master of Letters in Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asian Security Studies and holds a Bachelor degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Leipzig. Her research interests are focused on the Gulf region and include topics related to political order, violence, identity and gender. She worked as an intern with various international defence and security institutions and political risk companies.

Andreas is a graduate of the University of Piraeus and assistant researcher at the team of Russian affairs of the BRICS special research unit of the University of Piraeus. He drafted several studies on different topics while the most recent one is has been published at an academic journal and it has the title “The limits of self-determination and cases of forced separatism. The example of Northern Cyprus”. He participated at several MUN and EURO.PA.S simulations as he was also awarded twice. He has also participated at several international seminars concerning non-partisan activism as he is also an active member of activist groups till today. He speaks fluently English and French while he has basic knowledge of German. At the current period he is interested in studying the geopolitical affairs at the region of Eurasia and Middle-East while in his research interests are included the study of History, Continental Philosophy, Geopolitics as well as the reconstruction of the Russian national identity and how it’s affecting the Russian foreign policy today.

George Zgardanas is currently a lieutenant of the Greek army. He was born in Athens on 9th December 1990. He graduated from the Hellenic Army Academy in 2012 and has completed all the foreseen courses and trainings regarding the tactical war and strategy. He holds the postgraduate degree in Applied Operational Research and Analysis of the Department of Production and Management Engineering of the Technical University of Crete and the Department of Military Sciences of the Hellenic Military Academy. He made a research for a protection system for the Armed Forces which has been published at the Hellenic Army General Staff and the Hellenic Institute of Strategic Studies. He has excellent knowledge of English and very good knowledge of French and Italian. He participated in various conferences and among others, he obtains certifications of the European Security and Defense College.