
His strongest theoretical expertise ranges from linguistics to foreign policy analysis, and from cross-cultural negotiations to discourse analysis. He applies the theoretical tools to provide close insights on Mediterranean, European and Latin American relations, the effects of national identity on international relations, the role of non-state actors in foreign policy making, cultural diplomacy and transformative mediation as a peaceful tool for conflict resolution.
Niko collaborates with Katoikos.eu as a writer and commentator on foreign policy. Besides, he also participates in NGOs that promote democracy and transparency by advising communication and lobbying strategies, and has been collaborating as fundraiser and facilitator for Cometa ASMME, an Italian NGO fostering research and assistance on metabolic disorders. He has also worked in the international law firm Todarello & Partners (Milan, Italy), which enabled him to do legal research and refine bargaining skills. Apart from Italian, he is fluent in English, Spanish, Greek and has a fair understanding of French, while is learning Arabic. Niko is also a polyhedral musician and plays four instruments excellently. Since late 2016 he collaborates with KEDISA as an analyst.

Evangelos holds a BSc in Political Science & History from Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences in Greece. He also holds an MA in International Relations from the University of Manchester. His MA dissertation focused on several UN Peace Operations regarding the Protection of Civilians (POC) issues and how they have transformed since 1999. His area of interests includes issues such as International Terrorism, Security & Defence and Political issues. In 2010, he worked as an intern in the Hellenic Parliament. Since 2013, he joined a UK-based NGO, PEPAIDS, alleviating poverty and HIV/AIDS in Zambia, as a volunteer Researcher and Consultant developing several research papers, drafting a proposal to obtain funding for a new project and facilitated several meetings to monitor existing and develop new policies for the NGO. Recently, he joined the Security & Defence Analysis Institute’s (i-sda) Southeastern Europe Intelligence Unit as a Research Analyst on Defence & Security issues. He is currently working at ASPIDA Corp. as an Intelligence Analyst & Advisor on international Geopolitical & Maritime Security related issues. He speaks Greek, English, French and has basic knowledge of Russian.


Vasilis has successfully completed a postgraduate programme at Leiden University-Campus The Hague (MSc in Crisis & Security Management) in June 2018. He also holds a BSc in International & European Studies at University of Piraeus, where he worked as an Assistant Researcher in the BRICS special research center and in the Turkish & Eurasian Studies Workshop of the above-mentioned University. In addition, he attended one semester in Sabanci University of Istanbul, Turkey (Erasmus+ scholarship). He has been an intern at the Protocol department of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a trainee at the Center for Security Studies (KEMEA) in the Greek Ministry of Public Order & Citizen Protection. He is currently working at the Certification Policy & Safety Information Department of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in Cologne. From July, 1st, he also serves as the Financial Director of KEDISA. His main research interests include Cyber Security, Aviation Security, Crisis Management, and Turkish Foreign Policy & Economy. In addition to Greek, he speaks English and French, and has a basic knowledge of Turkish.
Dr. Spyros Plakoudas is working as an Assistant Professor of Homeland Security at Rabdan Academy (UAE). During the period September 2017-April 2020 he served as Vice-President of the Board of Directors of KEDISA. He has taught in the past in two continents (Europe and Asia) and two domains (universities and military academies) and specializes in violent non-state groups (terrorists, guerrillas and mafias). His new book under Rowman and Littlefield examines the Syrian Civil War and the Kurds.Assistant Professor in Strategy and IR, American University in the United Arab Emirates.
