Contributors

Sandra is the Al Habtoor Research Centre's former Early Warning Researcher, prior to joining HRC, she was a writer and development specialist, focusing primarily on the intersection of research, politics, and sustainable development. Sandra has over five years of experience designing and managing projects with local and international organisations in Egypt and the Netherlands. Commitment to exploring new and nonconventional ways of driving social change in various fields has strengthened her multidisciplinary approach to anticipating and solving problems.   Sandra has research interests in various fields, including international and regional political and social transformations and environmental and climate change issues. She is also interested in monitoring, analysing, and forecasting new phenomena and emerging risks.   Sandra holds an M.A. in Globalization and Development from Maastricht University and a B.Sc. in Political Sciences from the British University in Egypt.

Ahmed Abouyoussef is a researcher at the Political Studies Program at Al Habtoor Research Centre. Ahmed Abouyoussef’s research interests revolve around peace and conflict studies in the MENA region, where he conducts research on armed groups engaged in MENA civil wars, especially in Syria and Libya.   He is also interested in exploring the impact of sectarian rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia on hardening sectarian identities in the MENA region. Additionally, Ahmed examines the spillovers of MENA conflicts in surrounding areas, such as Europe.   Before joining the Al Habtoor Research Center, Ahmed worked for local and international research centers, including the Arab Center for Research, the Saif Bin Hilal Center for Energy Studies, and the Center of Middle East Studies (CEMO) in Paris. He also worked for international humanitarian organizations such as Terre des Hommes in Egypt and Humanexus International in Sweden.   Ahmed holds an MSc in European & Mediterranean Studies and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He obtained both degrees from the Faculty of Economics & Political Science at Cairo University.

Hend Mohammed is a researcher specialising in Middle Eastern and African affairs, blending rigorous academic training in political science with hands-on research expertise. She earned her BA in Political Science from the British University in Egypt and is currently pursuing graduate studies at the Institute of Arab Research and Studies. Her research interests encompass geopolitics, conflict resolution, international relations, and other complex regional dynamics.   Hend is part of the Early Warning Programme at the Al Habtoor Research Centre, where she contributes to forward-looking analyses of regional developments. Before joining Al Habtoor Research Centre, Hend worked as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Knowledge Hub University (TKH) and as a Quality Assurance Officer at the British University in Egypt. She has also volunteered with Catholic Relief Services, further broadening her professional and humanitarian experience.