Experts on countries of origin by country

Julie Chernov Hwang is an associate professor of political science and international relations at Goucher College and a Senior Research Fellow at the Soufan Center. She is a recipient of the Harry Frank Guggenheim Distinguished Scholar Award (2023-2024) for which she will examine the role of social networks and strong social ties in terror cell construction. She is an expert on terrorist behavior in Southeast Asia—from motivations for joining extremist groups, to the pathways into such groups, to commitment, role assignment, disengagement, reintegration, and deradicalization.  She is the author of Becoming Jihadis: Radicalization and Commitment in Southeast Asia (Oxford University Press, 2023); Why Terrorists Quit: The Disengagement of Indonesian Jihadists (Cornell University Press, 2018); Peaceful Islamist Mobilization in the Muslim World: What Went Right, (Palgrave Press, 2009); and the co-editor of Islamist Parties and Political Normalization in the Muslim World (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2014).  Her articles have been published in Political Psychology, Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, Terrorism and Political Violence, Asian Survey, Asian Security, Contemporary Southeast Asia, Soufan Center IntelBriefs, Asia-Pacific Issues, Southeast Asia Research,… Read more

Tunggul Ganggas Danisworo is a high-level Indonesian government policy advisor and scholar known for his strategic insights and cross-sectoral coordination in national security and political affairs. With a strong theoretical foundation in discourse analysis and a decade of hands-on planning experience, he has helped shape critical national planning documents and reforms. His recent publication on religious moderation reflects his academic rigor and commitment to inclusive governance. Tunggul’s rare ability to translate theory into policy and drive institutional transformation marks him as a valuable contributor to public sector modernization, democratic dialogue, and national policy innovation.

C. Christine Fair is a Professor in the Security Studies Program within Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. She previously served as a senior political scientist with the RAND Corporation, a political officer with the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan in Kabul, and a senior research associate at the United States Institute of Peace.  Her most recent book is In Their Own Words: Understanding Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (Hurst/Oxford University Press, 2018/2019).  She has authored, co-authored and co-edited several books, including Fighting to the End: The Pakistan Army’s Way of War (Oxford University Press); Pakistan’s Enduring Challenges (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2015), Policing Insurgencies: Cops as Counterinsurgents (Oxford University Press, 2014); Political Islam and Governance in Bangladesh (Routledge, 2010); Treading on Hallowed Ground: Counterinsurgency Operations in Sacred Spaces (Oxford University Press, 2008); The Madrassah Challenge: Militancy and Religious Education in Pakistan (USIP, 2008), and The Cuisines of the Axis of Evil and Other Irritating States (Globe Pequot, 2008), among others.  

She is a member of Women in International Security, International Studies… Read more

Dr. Shaul Gabbay completed a BA at Bar Ilan University and an MA at Tel-Aviv University. In 1991 he received a Presidential Fellowship from the U.S. to continue his studies. In 1995 he completed the PhD program at Columbia University in New York and received an invitation from the University of Chicago for a Post Doctoral program. In 1998 Dr. Gabbay returned to Israel to join the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Professor Gabbay joined the University of Denver as the Director of the Institute for the Study of Israel in the Middle East at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies in 2001- 2010.  He continued his research at DU as a Senior Scholar until 2015 when he was appointed Director of the Global Research Institute.

His areas of expertise include Middle East cultures and societal norms,   Middle East conflicts, and human rights issues existing in Muslim societies.  He is regularly cited and acts as a commentator in national and international media such as the Associated Press, CBS, NBC, FOX and MSNBC.

Professor and Head of Research Group Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, Halle/S., Germany. 20 years of experience preparing expert reports concerning the issues mentioned under “Expertise: Areas of expertise”.

Joshua Kurlantzick is Senior Fellow for South Asia and Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, where he studies South Asian and Southeast Asian politics and economics, with a particular focus on democracy, authoritarianism, human rights, and political transitions. Experienced country of origin expert for all nationals from Southeast Asia and China; specialist from one of the leading think-tanks in the world. Have provided expert witness reports for fifteen years for asylum cases in the UK, Europe, and US for nationals from across South, Southeast, and Northeast Asia – related to political issues, trafficking, slavery, gangs, religion, and many other issues. Also have provided expert witness reports for non-asylum immigration cases for nationals from South, Southeast, and Northeast Asia.

Carl Lijong is a distinguished diplomat with robust experience in regional diplomacy and strategic planning within Suriname’s Foreign Ministry. His leadership in Brazil and within Surinamese national development frameworks reflects his ability to harmonize policy with implementation. A trained expert in resultsbased management and international cooperation, Carl’s multilingual and multicultural expertise makes him a powerful asset in diplomatic and policy coordination arenas.

The Expert is an academic researcher and independent consultant whose expertise ranges from the study of Vietnamese and South East Asian socio-political issues to global labour exploitation and migrant workers' rights.

Manjit Rajpurohit is a trusted ICT4D and digital transformation expert with extensive experience helping governments and communities design and adopt technologydriven solutions for governance, education, and inclusive development. His work combines technical expertise, strategic advisory, and capacity building to deliver sustainable, practical impacts in diverse social contexts. Manjit’s proven leadership and cross-cultural experience make him a valuable asset for projects focused on digital inclusion and technology for social good.

Criminologist and gender expert with over 15 years of experience advising the United Nations, academia, and international organisations on gender justice, conflict sensitivity, human rights, social inclusion, and vulnerable populations, including in Syria, Ukraine, across the Middle East and Central Asia. Specialist in gender-based violence, policing and security services, prisons and the criminal justice sector, women’s and children’s rights, and victim-centred approaches. Proven track record of working in politically sensitive and fragile settings, and of authoring reports for private companies, ministries and UN offices. Fluent in Arabic and Ukrainian. 

Orisa Shinta is an experienced environmental management and sustainable development professional with a proven track record supporting climate adaptation, community livelihoods, and participatory environmental planning across Southeast Asia. She has successfully combined technical knowledge with deep community engagement to design and deliver impactful donor-funded projects. Orisa’s commitment to sustainability and inclusion, along with her strong communication and facilitation skills, make her an excellent partner for organizations aiming to advance local climate resilience and sustainable natural resource management.