Raagini Shekher Sharma is a full-time Researcher at Institute for Competitiveness, India. She is also a Senior Analyst at the Greek-based think tank - Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS); Policy Research Head at NITI Tantra and Research Director at Indic Researchers Forum. She has under her belt two Master’s degrees, one in Conflict, Governance, and Development from the University of York, United Kingdom, and the second one in Politics and International Relations from the Central University of Gujarat, India. She is an alumnus of Delhi University where she graduated in Political Science (Hons.). Currently, she is pursuing her diploma in International Affairs and Governance from the Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership.

She is interested in ‘Terrorism and Counterterrorism’ studies; India-Greece Bilateral Relations; Security Issues and Political Developments in European Union and South Asia; Energy Security of India; Indian Public Policies; National Security of India and Indian Foreign Policy.

Raagini Sharma is a keen researcher and worked with ‘Partners in Change’, India. She has also contributed to international organizations by assisting them in the administration, prioritization and execution of key projects through research.

Eleni Kikiras Carter is a Senior Advisor in the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS). Eleni is a business professional with expertise in managing administrative, financial, business development, marketing, supervisory, and strategic areas in the private, public and academic sectors. Eleni has 15 years’ combined experience as a general manager, consultant, and project manager for Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, and 12 years’ experience developing and teaching business courses at New York University, Baruch College, and the Culinary Institute of America.

Through her multi-year roles as an advisory board member and Board of Education President and Trustee, Eleni possesses dedicated knowledge and experience in shared governance and responsibility. She is presently the General Manager for Prescience-Δ, a provider of premium international learning adventures designed for high school and college students.

Eleni holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from New York University, a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Philosophy in Organizational Behavior from Baruch College, and she is currently a doctoral candidate in Organizational Behavior at Baruch College.

Nikos Prokopidis is Senior Advisor in the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS). He is an expert in Information & Telecommunications Technologies (IT&T) with over 30 year of Technical and Managerial Experience at various posts.

He holds a Ph.D. in Optical Communications and an M.Sc. in Telecommunications Systems from Essex University (UK), and a B.Sc in Physics from the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens. His current business development interests are Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Customer (B2C) online applications and services over the internet utilizing state of the art technologies and delivery platforms including the Cloud, Windows, Apple, Linux and Android based end-user devices.

As part of his carrier, Dr. Prokopidis participated and contributed into the development of numerous major European Union Research Programs in the field of Information & Telecommunications Technologies either as a participant or as an advisor to the European Commission.

Working always with state-of-the-art technologies, Dr. Prokopidis founded and managed several companies that were pioneers in Internet Service provision, Internet & Web Applications development and Video Streaming Services in Greece, addressing both the Public and Private Sector. In this involvement, Dr. Prokopidis collaborated with key European technology companies and Telecom Operators, as well companies from US and Israel. A major carrier accomplishment was the design, development and provision of the first Triple Play (Voice – Internet - IPTV) Service in Greece.

Consulting is also a significant part of his carrier addressing the needs of Greek and international major companies in the field of Project Development Management and IT&T Services Delivery Optimization. Dr. Prokopidis was member of various Boards addressing E-Commerce and IT&T Strategy in Greece.

His latest development is e-Education & Collaboration Platforms (e-School, e-Conference) assisting dispersed teachers – students or managers - subordinates through videoconference and document exchange techniques.

Web: www.emeson.eu
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Daniel Sánchez is a Senior Advisor in the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS) based in Athens, Greece. He is a criminologist, senior global security director expert and senior investigator in national and international organized crime.

His main experience specializes in investigation and focuses on counter terrorism, property crime, money laundering and cybercrime. Daniel Sánchez is an expert analyst and team manager in organized crime and managing risk scenarios.

Daniel Sánchez has been certified in CAS-OpSec Intelligence/Counterintelligence Specialist (CAS-OIS) from ATAB (Anti-Terrorism Accreditation Board, War College USA) and he holds Diploma in Intelligence and Counterintelligence Studies.

Daniel Sánchez has been working for 14 years as a security, intelligence, and investigation, due to this he is considered an expert in this fields. Daniel Sánchez holds Bachelor Degree in Criminology from the University of Catalonia in Barcelona and postgraduate studies diploma with honors in Judicial Expertise of Private Security from the University of Barcelona. He holds MSc in Cyber Security Management from Nebrija University. Daniel Sanchez holds International programs of Executive Data Science Specialization in the prestigious Johns Hopkins University of Baltimore in USA and the Mini-MBA of the International Business Management Institute of Berlin, Germany. He already finished high studies of Project Managment in the International Business Management Institute of Berlin, Germany.

Daniel Sánchez holds specialization on Security Risk Management, and diplomas in Official Drone Pilot, and Law at Penal Evidence. Daniel Sánchez participated in national and international conferences on security issues.

Brigadier General (ret’d) Ioannis Galatas, MD, MC (Army) is a Senior Advisor in the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS). He is a retired military physician with 35 years of military industry experience (Army Medical Corps). He is specialized in Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Board certified) and for more than two decades he served as Head of the Department of Allergy & Clinical Immunology at Army General Hospital of Athens, Greece.

Since 2001 he has been involved in CBRNE operations as planner and instructor trained (including live agent training) in a number of countries abroad. His main passion focus on “Hospitals’ CBRN Defense & Preparedness in Megapolis Environment”, “CBRNE Design/Hardening of Critical Infrastructure” [airports, shopping malls, hotels, etc.] and "CBRN Forensics & Management of Contaminated Corps". During the 2004 Athens’ Olympic Games, he served as Commandant of the Olympic Army Hospital CBRN Response Unit – the only hospital-based specialized unit (70 people) deployed for the Olympic & Paralympic Games. He holds a MSc. degree (with merits) on “International Terrorism, Organized Crime and Global Security” from Coventry University, UK (2010).

His last appointment (as of August 2010), was as Head of the Department of Asymmetric Threats at the Intelligence Analysis Branch, Joint Military Intelligence Service, Hellenic National Defense General Staff. After retirement he conducted CBRNE classes for Abu Dhabi Police Authority and continues to participate as invited speaker in many CBRNE/security conferences, congresses and workshops around the globe. He was the co-founder and Director of Operations & Training @ Qatar CBRN Academy (2018-2020);

Currently he is: (1) the Editor-in-Chief of the monthly on-line “C2BRNE Diary” (former “CBRNE Terrorism Newsletter”) initiated in November 2005 and delivered freely to CBRNE-CT First Responders of more than 80 countries around the globe; (2) CBRNE Research Associate at the "Center for Security Studies" (KEMEA), Athens, Greece (under the Ministry of Citizens Protection); (3) Research Associate at the "National Nuclear Research Center Demokritos"; (4) member of the Didactical Board of University of Rome "Tor Vergata" delivering classes for the "International CBRNe Masters" programs; (5) External CBRN Consultant @ HotZone Solutions Group, The Netherlands; and (6) Manager, CBRN Knowledge Center @ International CBRNE Institute, Belgium.

Web: www.cbrne-terrorism-newsletter.com
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Senior Advisor in the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS). Irene assists RIEAS on organizing events in Greece and abroad. Irene is a business personality highly experienced in a variety of cultural environments in USA and Greece. Irene was a journalist for many years in printed and media web.

Mrs. Vandaraki is the founder and director of an art initiative “Vandiri Art NYC” which organizing art events worldwide. Irene is also a member of an executive organizing committee named “International Art Fair” in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Mrs. Vandaraki is the director of the mission of the Orthodox Metropolis of Mexico, Central America and Caribbean islands. Irene has developed the project of Theological School in Havana under the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Irene is a Board member in Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center Foundation (AOL) with a mission on raise awareness to protect and preserve the planet waters.

Lélia Rousselet is research analyst at the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS). Her work included research on security and defense issues, French and American foreign policy, and Middle-Eastern and North African affairs. She is the Vice-President of the Open Diplomacy Institute (Paris, France). Previously, she worked as a research and program coordinator at the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) from 2015 to 2018, where she launched the Paris Chapter of the Young Transatlantic Network of Future Leaders (YTN). She was also a research associate at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), and a fellow of the Nuclear & Strategy Network – New Generation (IFRI, FRS).

Born in Paris, she holds a master’s degree in International Relations and Political Science from the Doctoral School of Sciences Po Paris, and a master’s degree in U.K. and U.S. institutions and foreign policy from La Sorbonne University. She publishes articles, reports and policy-papers in various French and English-speaking journals and newspapers. She is the author of two books: « Négocier l’atome » (L’Harmattan, 2017) and « La Stratégie africaine du Maroc » (Editions Universitaires Européennes, 2016).

George-Nicholas Skourtis, Social Media & Corporate Relations Officer

George-Nicholas Skourtis is an Internship -researcher in the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS), and he serves as Social Media & Corporate Relations Officer. He was born in 1996 in Athens, Greece, and he is an Undergraduate Student at the Department of International and European Studies, School of Economics, Business and International Studies of the University of Piraeus. Since the first year of his studies he was involved in many University extracurricular activities, such as volunteering -in AIESEC, TEDx events and other initiatives- taking part in MUNs, research groups and, at the same time, working.

During 2016, he has served as Vice President of AIESEC in Piraeus (University of Piraeus - UniPi), responsible for outgoing exchange of youth to social impact projects abroad, so as to empower and enable them to develop their leadership potential through voluntarily working abroad, in challenging environments. Through AIESEC he has become familiar with entrepreneurial skills, leadership skills, team work, team building and strategic thinking.

He has participated in numerous Model United Nations (MUNs) and other simulations of the European Union, Regional and International Organizations, in Greece and internationally. He has served (and still serving) both as Delegate and also as Member of the Board. Through those simulations he has acquired many skills, including public speaking, research skills, debating and negotiation skills.

He has always been interested in International Affairs, the bilateral relations of the countries, security, political sciences, respect towards Human Rights & Equality and the protection of the environment.

Matthew Crosston (PhD)

Senior Advisor in the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS), Vice Chairman at ModernDiplomacy.eu and Editor-in-Chief of the forthcoming launch of the Global South policy initiative, the Journal of Rising Powers. He is an acclaimed author and international speaker who consults with governments, media organizations, and academic institutions on a range of issues covering peace mediation, human rights conflicts, resource dilemmas, intelligence, change leadership, and education innovation. In addition to the above launch, he is fully ensconced in the research and writing of several contracted book projects, advising on the development of two new doctoral programs at St. Johns University and North Carolina State University, and consulting with corporations on issues of organizational health and culture.

Since receiving his PhD from Brown University in International Relations and Comparative Politics in 2003, Crosston has published more than two dozen top-tier research articles, more than 100 analytical global security commentaries, and authored or contributed to ten books that have initiated alternative thinking and impacted real world decision-making on policy in the US and beyond. His established work in cyber (five major pieces published in the previous five years) has made required reading course lists at US CYBERCOM and his concept of ‘active cyber defense’ has gained legitimacy not only within the American Intelligence Community but has been openly supported by Israel’s Mossad; the piece ‘Soft Spying’ (industrial/economic espionage) is required reading in courses at the US Army War College; ‘Nemesis’ (on cognitive closure explaining problematic US-Russian relations) is highlighted on the journal of record for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Сравнительная Политика;‘Cold War and Ayatollah Residues,’ his piece on the Syrian conflict, predicted current dilemmas a full two years ahead of time. In addition to his peer-reviewed publications, Crosston has published nearly 100 editorials and commissioned opinion pieces that represent the full spectrum of global security in the 21st century, as well as being interviewed by media organizations across Europe, Asia, the Post-Soviet space, and the Middle East.

For 2017, his piece "Virtual Patriots and a New American Cyber Strategy: Breaking the Zero-Sum Game" (2012), has been selected for inclusion in the special 10th anniversary commemorative issue of Strategic Studies Quarterly and his analytical commentary "The Grand Cyber Spy Game: Russia, America, and China Stealing the World One Byte at a Time" was voted the #1 story on Modern Diplomacy for all of 2016. Crosston won the Kotouc Family All-Faculty Research Prize for Outstanding Scholarship in 2015 and was named the Outstanding Instructor by the International Association for Intelligence Education (IAFIE) in 2013. In the past few years he has been invited to speak at such diverse venues as the U.S. Department of State, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the 97th Intelligence Squadron, Oxford University, Creighton University, USSTRATCOM, Rhodes College, and North Carolina State University, among others. His works overall have been translated into Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Hebrew, Spanish, Turkish, Farsi, Greek, and Uzbek.

Previously, he was the Miller Endowed Chair for Industrial and International Security, Professor of Political Science and Director of the International Security and Intelligence Studies program at Bellevue University. He also taught National Security at the Virginia Military Institute and started his career teaching International Relations and Comparative Politics at Clemson University. He has a BA from Colgate University, MA from the University of London, PhD from Brown University, and completed his Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Toronto. Please see his full portfolio and CV at: https://brown.academia.edu/ProfMatthewCrosston

General (ret) Taxiarchis SARDELLIS

General (ret.) Taxiarchis Sardellis is Senior Advisor at the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS) and an Executive with extensive experience in Strategic International Relations, wide exposure in leveraging extensive networks of diplomatic defense and foreign partners. He is considered an exceptional problem-solver, very successful of producing top performing team and demonstrates a unique combination of human resources motivation and project management skills.

During his 32 years of successful military career, he served in Special Operations units, Army General Staff positions, the Greek Ministry of Defense as Director of International Relations, NATO and US Army HQ’s and the Greek Embassy in Washington DC. Represented Greece’s national interests in multilateral meetings and deliberations on draft resolutions and reports, and other policies related to NATO, UN, OSCE guidance and international cooperation as well as international relations. Provided valuable insights and proposed policies and initiatives for defense and security to members of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill, and major think-tanks, including the Council on Foreign Relations, Center for Transatlantic Relations (Johns Hopkins University), the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Center for International and Strategic Studies, the Hudson Institute, Atlantic Institute and NESA. Provided tailored training for selected officers or cabinet members of various non-NATO countries including Switzerland, Romania, Ukraine, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, aiming to develop military cooperation with these countries and to facilitate their accession and adjustment to NATO and subject matter expertise on the reform and development of defense Institutions and recommended the organizational design (structure, job descriptions, staffing, design and implementation of SOP’s) for the Ministry of Defense of Montenegro, Serbia, Switzerland, Armenia.

He holds a BA on Military Science and Operational Studies from the Greek Military Academy, a Post Graduate Diploma on Defense Studies from the Greek Army Supreme College and an MA on Strategic and Diplomatic Studies form the NATO Defense College in Rome. He has graduated from the US Army Chemical Warfare Officer Program - Ft. McClellan, Alabama, the US Army Infantry Advanced Officer School - Ft. Benning, Georgia, has attended the Seminar on “21st Century Governance in an Era of New American Leadership” by the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University - MA, multiple seminars on globalization, security challenges and risks, assessment of various geostrategic regions in the NATO Defense College as well as numerous professional development courses of the Greek Army and NATO.

He is a certified paratrooper, speaks fluently English and Italian, has lectured at Georgetown University, Center for Security Studies, on the Balkans, focusing on political and economic developments in the region, energy security, international relations and NATO enlargement and has been awarded several awards and distinctions by the President of the Hellenic Republic, the Greek Minister of Defense, the Belgian Army Parachutist Badge, the NATO non-article 5 Operations Medal, awarded by HE the Secretary General of NATO and the U.S Army Meritorious Service Medal, awarded by the Secretary and Chief of U.S Army

Senior Analyst in the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS). Ioannis L. Konstantopoulos is anAssistant Professor of International Relations & Economic Diplomacy at the Department of International and European Studies, School of Economics, Business & International Studies, University of Piraeus, Greece.
He has taught “Strategic Analysis” at the postgraduate program of the Department of International and European Studies of Panteion University of Athens (2009-2012) and “Economic Diplomacy and Security” at the following Postgraduate Studies Programs of the Department of Political Science and International Relations (School of Social and Political Sciences) of the University of Peloponnese: “Global Political Economy”, “Governance and Public Policies” and “Global Challenges and Systems of Analysis” (2016).

In May 2015 he participated in teaching intelligence in the framework of the lifelong learning seminar “Intelligence and Security” (with Dr Andrew N. Liaropoulos) organized by the Institute of International Relations of Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens. He lectures in the Joint Intelligence School of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, the Hellenic Air Staff and Command College and the National Security School of the Hellenic Police Academy.

Ioannis L. Konstantopoulos holds a PhD from Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences (Department of International and European Studies) (2008) and his PhD dissertation topic is “Economic Espionage and International Relations”. He also received an M.A. in International and European Studies from Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Department of International and European Studies (Specialization: International Relations and Strategic Studies) (2001). During the period 1996-98 he attended “MSc Econ in Strategic Studies” Aberystwyth, The University of Wales, Department of International Politics, U.K. He received a degree of Political Science and International Studies (Specialization: International Studies) from Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences (Department of Political Science and International Studies) (1996).

He is a research associate of the Center of International and European Affairs (C.I.E.A.) of the Department of International and European Studies, University of Piraeus. He is also a member of the Greek Politics Specialist Group of Political Studies Association, U.K. and a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Mediterranean and Balkan Intelligence (JMBI). His research interests cover the following areas: International Relations, Strategic Studies, Economic Diplomacy and Intelligence Studies.

Publications:

• “Democracy and Ethics vs. Intelligence and Security: from WikiLeaks to Snowden”, Conference Proceedings, 4th Pan-Hellenic Conference on Applied Economics “ECONOMY & DEMOCRACY”, Department of Economics, University of Thessaly, Volos 23-24 November 2015 (forthcoming, 2016).
• “Intelligence and European Integration: From intelligence cooperation to an independent European central intelligence agency”, Conference Proceedings of “Political, Economic and Cultural Legacies of the European Past in the Context of European Integration”, Siegen University & University of Piraeus, Siegen, Germany, 24-25 October 2014 (forthcoming, 2016).
• “The (R)evolution of Intelligence as an Academic Discipline: Challenges and Constraints”, Journal of Mediterranean and Balkan Intelligence, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2015 (with Alexandra M. Doga).
• “Parliamentary Oversight of Intelligence Agencies in Contemporary Democracies and the European Experience”, Institute of International Relations, Panteion University, Athens, Greece (2015) (in Greek).
• “The Role of Deception in Peace and War: Part I”, Air Review, Vol. 103, April 2015 (in Greek).
• “The Role of Deception in Peace and War: Part II”, Air Review, Vol. 104, August 2015 (in Greek).
• “Reforming the Greek National Intelligence Service: Untying the Gordian Knot”, Journal of Mediterranean and Balkan Intelligence, Vol. 3, No. 1, 2014 (with Dr. Andrew N. Liaropoulos).
• “Soft Power: The Case of China”, in Samaras N. Athanassios (ed.), Images of Nations: Strategic Communication, Soft Power and Media (Athens: Kastaniotis Editions, 2014) (in Greek).
• “Intelligence and IR Theory: The Cases of Covert Action and Economic Espionage”, in Bitzenis Aristidis & Vlachos Vasileios A., (eds), Proceedings, International Conference on International Business (ICIB): (www.icib.eu), Thessaloniki, 17-19 May 2012, (International Relations and European Integration Laboratory, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece, 2013).
• “Privatization of Intelligence: Turning National Security into Business?”, Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS), Transatlantic Studies, 25 September 2010 (with Andrew N. Liaropoulos).
• “Macroeconomic Espionage: Incentives and Disincentives”, Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS), Research Paper: No. 143, June 2010.
• “Europe-USA Relations: The Phenomenon of Economic Espionage among Allies” in Stivachtis, Yannis A. (ed.), The New EUrope: Politics, Economics, and Foreign Relations (Athens: Athens Institute for Education and Research, 2010).
• Economy and Espionage: Theory and Practice (Athens: Piotita Publications, 2010) (in Greek).

Senior Analyst at the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS) andProtection Referral Officer at the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Previously, she served as Legal Officer at the Frontiers Ruwad Association in Lebanon monitoring detention of refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons; Analyst at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) of the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities; and, Expert at the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on matters related to Lebanese nationals electing from overseas.

Ms Abi Tayeh also worked at the Refugee Unit of the Canadian Embassy in Lebanon and was an expert at the Middle East and North Africa Department of the Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) office in Athens. She holds a BA from La Sagesse University in Lebanon; an M.A in International and European Law from Université Paul Cézanne, Aix-Marseille III, France; and, is currently a PhD candidate at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.