Anas Al-Darsani graduated from The American University. He has obtained a Master's in International Relations with an emphasis on U.S Foreign Policy and National Security. Anas is particularly interested in U.S. foreign policy, particularly the Middle East. At the America-Eurasia Center, he research and wrote articles on issues pertaining to the Middle East, as he was part of the Middle Eastern Program. He began as a research assistant in the Spring of 2021 and became an assistant to the Director of the Middle East Program. His numerous articles have covered Syria, the Abrahamic Accords, and the whole realignment of relations that was occurring in the Middle East before the Israeli-Hamas conflict.

Ava Lindstrom is originally from New York City and is currently a junior at the George Washington University majoring in Middle East Studies and Political Science with a Focus in Public Policy. She has a particular interest in combatting terrorism, women’s issues, and U.S. relations in the Middle East. She recently completed a study abroad program at Georgetown in Qatar this past summer and looks forward to enhancing her Arabic skills in the future.  At the America-Eurasia Center, Ava was a prolific writer who covered the Israeli-Hamas conflict by producing a number of articles which covered the facets of tragic developments occurring in Israel and Gaza. 

Sophie Gilpin is a graduate student at the University of Edinburgh, pursuing her master’s degree in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. She recently graduated from American University in Washington, DC with a bachelor’s in International Studies. She is passionate about humanitarian issues and has experience working with the Syrian refugee community in Mafraq, Jordan through an INGO based out of Germany. She is also interested in political and sectarian issues in the Middle East as well as trends in governance throughout the region as it grapples with ongoing conflict and the effects of international involvement. Sophie wrote a number of articles for the Center including an excellent article which covered the status and funding for Syrian refugees. She was also instrumental in the translation of the Middle East Program Guide. 

Marielle Orman is an undergraduate student at American University, where she is perusing a bachelor's degree in Arab World Studies with a minor in Sustainability. Marielle has a broad range of interests with a focus on sustainable farming, forestry, and agriculture in the Middle East. Outside of class, Marielle focuses on her learning of Arabic, along with her volunteer work on political campaigns and volunteer work inside of her hometown community, Olympia, Washington. She is looking forward to her time with the Eurasia Center along with furthering both her Arabic and current knowledge of the Middle East. Marielle supported the America-Ukraine Program at The Center and also updated The America-Eurasia Business Coalition’s website by updating the sectors of economic activity.  

Morgan Lima was raised in Lacey, New Jersey and graduated from American University in May of 2022 with a bachelor's degree in International Relations. Her regional focus was on the Middle East & North Africa while studying Foreign Policy & National Security and Peace & Conflict resolution. She minored in Arabic while at American University where she was able to showcase her knowledge when studying abroad in Jordan and abiding by a full-time language pledge both inside and outside of the classroom. During her time there, she interned with the National Association for Family Empowerment where she researched about women in politics within Jordan. For her senior capstone, she worked with the Department of State TIP Office researching Human Trafficking in India and wrote a final deliverable that her and her team presented to the TIP Office. Morgan wrote an excellent article regarding the role of women in Jordan’s political institutions. 

Rahi Shah is an undergraduate student at George Washington University double majoring in International Affairs with a concentration in Security Policy and Political Science and minoring in Criminal Justice. She is interested in conflict resolution and the intersection of ethics and national security. She hopes to attend law school in the future. Rahi has helped with the communications team in organizing the Embassies of the World event at The Ven Hotel in 2023. She wrote updates on the war in Sudan and was instrumental in helping to organize the Communications team at The America-Eurasia Center. 

Anas Al-Darsani is a graduate student at American University. He is obtaining a Master's in International Relations with an emphasis on U.S Foreign Policy and National Security. Anas is particularly interested in U.S foreign policy, particularly the Middle East. At the Eurasia Center, he researches and writes articles on issues pertaining to the Middle East, as he is part of the Middle Eastern Program. He has been working with The Eurasia Center since September 2021 as a research assistant. He is now Assistant to the Director for the Middle East Program.

Sahil Bhakta is originally from Huntington Beach, California and is currently a rising junior at Boston University pursuing a B.A. in both International Relations and Political Science. His academic focuses include the Middle East, North Africa, foreign policy, and national security studies.  Sahil has conducted research for the America-Eurasia’s Middle East Program and has also finished some Program Development research.

Daniella Ciniglio is originally from Queens, New York, and is currently based in Washington DC. She is pursuing a Master of Arts in International Affairs degree at The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. Furthermore, she holds a regional interest in the Middle East and North Africa and has recently completed a study abroad program at The American University in Cairo.  Daniella looks forward to applying her past knowledge and skills to the America-Eurasia Center and Uplifting Africa Program as a summer research intern.  

Genevieve Zdziera is a senior at American University School of International Service. Her major is in International Studies with a focus on Foreign Policy and National Security, and the Middle East and North Africa. She is interested in topics regarding multifaceted areas ranging from national security, identity politics, to diplomacy. Outside of the classroom, she actively participates in numerous non-profit organizations aimed at serving the local community, primarily with children. Genevieve has updated a number of Country Reports for the America-Eurasia Center.

Anas Al-Darsani is a graduate student at American University. He is obtaining a Master's in International Relations with an emphasis on U.S Foreign Policy and National Security. Anas is particularly interested in U.S foreign policy, particularly the Middle East. At the Eurasia Center, he researches and writes articles on issues pertaining to the Middle East, as he is part of the Middle Eastern Program. He has been working with The Eurasia Center since September 2021 as a research assistant. He is now Assistant to the Director for the Middle East Program.

Nadiira Haybe majored in political science and International Relations at SUNY Buffalo State University I have been part of the America-Eurasia Center’s Uplifting Africa program since Spring 2023, and I am eager to explore issue areas such as business, commerce, and trade. I am very much interested in the intersection of public policy and business, and I hope to pursue this interest with my research at America-Eurasia Center.  Nadiira She has also helped organize two extraordinary events – Washington Educational and Cultural Attaché Association (WECAA) and passport DC Belarus event. 

Renata Gladkikh is an Associate and a rising junior at Barnard College majoring in Political Science and Economics, after having previously attended The George Washington University where she gained an interest in interning at the Eurasia Center. She is from both Russia and Kazakhstan which is why she is passionate about learning about the Eurasia region.  Renata is attentive to the dynamics between all these regions, including business, trade and international relations, and would like to continue researching these issues. At the Center, she focused on the Central Asian region having worked on a publication and country report on Kazakhstan and has also been running the Instagram page. Renata will be an Assistant to the Directors for the Middle East and Central Asia Programs in 2023.

Bailey Schiff is a sophomore at American University’s School of International Service studying international affairs with concentrations in National Security, Foreign Policy, and Middle Eastern Studies. She is particularly interested in nuclear nonproliferation, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and civil rights in Iran. She speaks three languages: Arabic, French, and English. Outside class, she holds leadership positions on the Model G20 team and student government. She looks forward to starting as a research assistant in the Middle East Program.

Anas Al-Darsani is a graduate student at American University. He is obtaining a Master's in International Relations with an emphasis on U.S Foreign Policy and National Security. Anas is particularly interested in U.S foreign policy, particularly the Middle East. At the Eurasia Center, he researches and writes articles on issues pertaining to the Middle East, as he is part of the Middle Eastern Program. He has been working with The Eurasia Center since September 2021 as a research assistant. He is now Assistant to the Director for the Middle East Program.

Riana Amin is a sophomore at George Washington University studying International Affairs with a specialization in international development and a minor in French. She has previously researched education systems in Asia and the Middle East and is interested in poverty alleviation through increased access to education. Most recently, she has been researching how leaders of different countries handled the Covid-19 Pandemic, with one of those countries being Egypt. At the America-Eurasia Center, she is working as a research intern for the Middle East Program and the Uplifting Africa Program. Riana updated a number of Country Reports. Riana is excited to be a part of the team and assist in developing expertise and research on Africa and is a member of the COMM Group. She has also helped organize two extraordinary events – Embassies of the World and Washington Connections this year.

Zara Safiullah is a graduate student at American University’s School of International Service studying Global Governance and International Security with a focus on human rights, environmental security, and population flows. At the America-Eurasia Center, she focuses regionally on MENA politics. Zara is a former Policy Director at the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and is skilled in government procedure, legislative drafting, research, databases, and political strategy. She completed the Tanzania Country Report and was a member of the Middle East Program at the Center. She wrote a excellent analysis regarding the mining of cobalt in the Congo as well. 

Renata Gladkikh is an Associate and a rising junior at Barnard College majoring in Political Science and Economics, after having previously attended The George Washington University where she gained an interest in interning at the Eurasia Center. She is from both Russia and Kazakhstan which is why she is passionate about learning about the Eurasia region.  Renata is attentive to the dynamics between all these regions, including business, trade and international relations, and would like to continue researching these issues. At the Center, she focused on the Central Asian region having worked on a publication and country report on Kazakhstan and has also been running the Instagram page. Renata will be an Assistant to the Directors for the Middle East and Central Asia Programs in 2023.