Executive team

Thomas Tronet

Co-director, head of the Iran Research Group

Areas of expertise: History, geopolitics, data analytics, OSINT, GEOINT

Languages: French, English, Persian, Turkish, Russian

Bio: Data analyst with a background in humanities. Graduated from the University of Nantes in history and classics, from the University of Strasbourg in Middle East Studies, and from the University of Tehran in Persian language and literature. Originally from Brittany, he has lived in Turkey, Iran, Egypt and Jerusalem.

Esmail Jasem

Co-director, head of the Arab World  Research Group

Areas of expertise: Geopolitics and sociology of the Middle East, Persian Gulf, political Shi'ism, Kuwait

Languages: Arabic, French, English, Persian, Hebrew (basic knowledge)

Bio: Holds a Ph.D. in political science and contemporary Arab world history from Lyon 2 University, and graduated from the University of Strasbourg with a master's degree in Middle Eastern studies, a bachelor's degree in Persian studies, and a diploma in Hebrew and Jewish studies.

Damien Jakubczak

Deputy director, head of the Israel Research Group

Areas of expertise: Political science, international relations, Israel, Arab-Israeli conflict, Persian Gulf

Languages: French, English, Hebrew, Polish, Russian, German

Bio: Lecturer in the Department of Hebraic and Jewish Studies at the University of Strasbourg. Holds a master's degree in international relations from the Institute of Political Studies of Strasbourg and a master's degree in Middle Eastern studies from the University of Strasbourg.

Onur Bülbül

Deputy Director, Head of the Turkey Research Group

Areas of expertise: Ottoman history, Turkish literature

Languages: Turkish, French, English

Bio: Lecturer in the Department of Turkish Studies at the University of Strasbourg. Doctoral student in history at the University of Strasbourg, graduate in Turkish language and literature from the University of Istanbul.