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.

Senior Analyst at the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS). Born in Varna, Bulgaria, she holds a Bachelor’s degree (BScEcon) in European Union Studies from Cardiff University and a Master’s degree (MA) in Intelligence and International Security from King’s College London. She has also completed a year-long Erasmus Studies (2012-2013) at the University of Pisa (Italy).

She has worked as an intern for the Center for the Study of Democracy in Sofia (Bulgaria) and holds a Certificate for Distinguished Performance. She is currently also writing for Strife Magazine.

Her research expertise lies in European (EU) Intelligence, border security and policing in the EU, terrorism, organised crime, and human trafficking in Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkan region, Russia and CIS countries.

Senior Analyst in the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS). He is a PhD Candidate at the University of Free State in South Africa, specializing in radical threats south of Sahara. Prior to Free State, he spent two years as a visiting research student at King’s College London and concluded his M.A. Thesis at SOAS University of London. He also holds a Bachelors Degree in Politics from the University of Athens.

He is currently a Research Associate at the Think Tank for Research on Islam in Africa in Israel and an external assistant at Shield Analysis LLC in Virginia United States. He was also a Research Director at the Hellenic African Chamber for Development in Athens Greece and an Editorial Assistant for Pespectives on Terrorism.

He has spent the last two years researching for a book on Al-Qaeda’s transformation in the Middle East and North Africa with Professor Denise Baken of George Mason University while he is also contributing for leading Greek and worldwide media outlets such as CNN, Estia Newspaper, at NEA and others.

Within RIEAS auspices, he starts heading the National PhD Thesis Network of Terrorism Researchers in collaboration with Terrorism Research Initiative.

His recent publications are:

Books:
1. With Denise N. Baken, Al Qaeda: The Transformation of Terrorism in the Middle East and North Africa (Praeger Security International) forthcoming– July 31, 2015
2. Boko Haram, An Anatomy of a Crisis (ed.), e-International Relations Website, (e-book) October 2013, Bristol UK

Articles:
1) Boko Haram Attacks in Nigeria and Neighbouring Countries: A Chronology of Attacks, Perspectives on Terrorism, Vol 8, No 6 (2014)
2) With Denise Baken, The cyber terrorism shadow networks in Africa : AQIM and Boko Haram, Africa Rennaisance, Vol 9, No 1, (2012) pp, 27-45
3) Somalia and Yemen: The Links between Terrorism and State Failure, Digest of Middle East Studies, Volume 20, Issue 2, pages 242–260, Fall 2011
4) The International Community’s Role in the Radicalization of Islamist Politics in Somalia, 1992 to 1995: The Creation of the Security Dilemma, Mediterranean Quarterly, Volume 23, Number 2: 77-94, (2012)
5) Why the Islamic Revolution Ended: The Regional Politics of Sudan since 1989, Mediterranean Quarterly, Volume 21, Number 3: 47-60, (2010)
6) The Absence of the State in Northern Nigeria, African Renaissance, Vol 7, No 1, (2010 ), pp57-62

Book Reviews:
1. Mantzikos, I, Joining and Betraying Al-Qaeda: A How to guide, Morten Storm with Paul Cruickshank & Tim Lister, Agent Storm: My Life Inside Al Qaeda and the CIA, War on The Rocks, 18 November,2014
2. Mantzikos, I, The Round Table, 2011, Vol.100(412), p.97-115
3. Mantzikos I, Africa's Islamic Experience: history, culture, and politics edited by A. A. Mazrui, P. M. Dikirr, R. Ostergard Jr., M. Toler and P. Macharia, The Journal of Modern African Studies, Volume 49, Issue 01,March 2011, pp 177-178
4. Mantzikos, Ioannis, Un Peacekeeping in Civil Wars, African Studies Quarterly › Vol. 12 Nbr. 2, January 2011
5. Mantzikos I, , Sudan in Turmoil: Hassan al-Turabi and the Islamist state by J. Millard Burr and Robert O. Collins , The Journal of Modern African Studies, Volume 48, Issue 04, 2010
6. Mantzikos I, Understanding Somalia and Somaliland by Ioan Lewis; Mark Bradbury, Becoming Somaliland, African Affairs, Vol 109, No 437, 2010

Other Publications:
1. With Tim Lister, Add this to Greece's list of problems: It's an emerging hub for terrorists, CNN, 26 January, 2015
2. Piracy in Africa, Just get going? Africa Arguments, 19 December 2014
3. Khorasan Group, A U.S.-Iranian Trade off?, Geopolitical Monitor, 30 October 2014
4. Boko Haram and ISIS, Two Sides of the Same Coin?, Africa Defence Review, 27 October, 2014
5. The UK Stance on Boko Haram, Council of Foreign Relations, Africa in Transition Blog, 19 May, 2014
6. Ron Paul and Africa, On Odd Couple, Africa at LSE blog, February 12, 2012
7. Reflections on Recent Elections in Africa, E-International Relations: http://www.e-ir.info/?author=975

Senior Analyst in the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS). He is also a Research Fellow at the Hellenic Centre for European Studies (EKEM), the research branch of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specializing in Defence and Security issues. He is the founder of the Hellenic-Chinese Academic Partnership between the Hellenic Centre for European Studies and the principal Chinese think tanks: the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China Institutes of International Studies, and Shanghai Institutes for International Studies. He is also a founding member of the Greek Academic Consortium for Greek-Chinese Relations and EU-Chinese Relations under the auspices of the Hellenic Centre for European Studies.

He is currently teaching European Politics and History at the Greek National School of Public Administration. He has previously taught Naval Military Strategy at the National Security College. He earned his Master's degree in War Studies at the School of Public Policy at King's College London, of the University of London in 2002. He has completed his doctorate degree (pending award) referring to the U.S. Grand Strategy of the Second World War in 2013 at the department of History of Ionian University. His broad research interests include: Strategy, Military transformation, Intelligence and Security sector reform and military history. His research focus lies on the Grand strategy of the Great Powers and the military aspects of small states' Grand strategy.

He has given speeches and lectures in international fora as a security expert and has published extensively on global security issues over the past years. He is a member of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies (RUSI) and a member of various Greek and Foreign Security and Defence Networks.

Recent Publications In English:

Obama’s Foreign Policy doctrine and its implications on the MENA region, Spring 2013, Etudes Helleniques Journal. The Greek –US Relations, Prospects and Challenges, Policy Recommendations to the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Edited Volume of the Hellenic Centre for European Studies, February 2013.

In Greek:

Sino-Japanese Relations: The strategic dilemma of Asia’s Superpowers in China’s Relations with its neighbours in the 21stCentury, Edited Volume by the department of International Relations of the University of Peloponnese, Papazissis Publishing, November 2013.

Speeches:

Speaker in the Conference of the Greek-Chinese Chamber of Commerce regarding Chinese Investments in Greece and the Mediterranean. Title of the Speech: China’s strategy in the MENA region, 5th of May 2013.

Speaker at the International academic conference of the University of Peloponnese regarding China’s external relations. Title of the Speech: China and Japan: Two giants competing for regional supremacy in Southeast Asia.