About the authors

Dr Anar Ahmadov (PhD, LSE) is Associate Professor of Political Economy, Leiden University; Netherlands. He has held research and teaching positions at Princeton University, Oxford University, London School of Economics (LSE), and Khazar University. For over twenty years, he has also worked as a consultant, analyst, and executive in international development. He has taught over thirty executive education and capacity building seminars for public sector executives and analysts from Central Eurasia on sustainable energy management, economic development, conflict resolution, and policy impact evaluation.

Dr Vasif Huseynov is Head of Western Studies Department, Center for Analysis of International Relations; Azerbaijan. Alongside his position at the AIR Center, Dr Huseynov teaches politics at Khazar University and ADA University in Baku. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the Academy of Public Administration in Azerbaijan, a Master of Arts in Global Political Economy from the University of Kassel, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Göttingen. He has authored op-eds, articles, and academic publications, including a book entitled “Geopolitical Rivalries in the ‘Common Neighborhood’: Russia’s Conflict with the West, Soft Power, and Neoclassical Realism”. Dr Huseynov’s research interests include EU-Azerbaijan relations and security in the South Caucasus.

Dr Rusif Huseynov is the Co-founder and Director of Topchubashov Center, a Baku-based think tank. His main interests are socio-political developments, frozen conflicts, and ethnic minorities in post-Soviet countries, while his focus areas mainly cover Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Dr Huseynov obtained his Bachelor of Arts from Baku State University and Master of Arts from the University of Tartu. He is a ReThink.CEE (2021) fellow with the German Marshall Fund of the United States and Local Focal Point within the EU4Dialogue project. Dr Huseynov also taught as an adjunct lecturer at ADA University. He pens articles for international media outlets such as The National Interest, The Jamestown Foundation, the New Eastern Europe.

Dr Tatul Manaseryan is Head of Research Center ALTERNATIVE; Armenia. He is a Doctor of Science and Professor who teaches World Economy and Economic Security at the Yerevan State University. He is also a former Member of Parliament of Armenia (2003-2007) and served as an Advisor to the Speaker of the Parliament (2009-2011). He has lived and worked in the USA, Canada, Thailand, Belgium, Italy, China, and other countries. Dr Manaseryan conferred “Excellence in Teaching” Award from the University of Redlands in California, USA. He has published extensively on global trends and developments, the new economic order, regional and trans-regional cooperation, economic security and economic diplomacy, and emerging market economies. Dr Manaseryan is the Editor-in-chief of the Quarterly Academic Journal ALTERNATIVE and the Head of Research Center ALTERNATIVE, headquartered in Yerevan, Armenia with branches in Northridge, California, Lecce, Italy and Antwerp, Belgium.

Dr Arman Martirosyan is Associate Professor, Doctor of Science and Economics; Armenia. He is an Associate Professor and lecturer with over 24 years of experience at various universities. He has delivered lectures, coached, and worked in numerous countries including Armenia, the USA, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Bulgaria, and others. In his more than 16 handbooks and monographs, he has analyzed the institutional aspects of microeconomics, macroeconomics, psychological management, and marketing processes in the economy. Additionally, he has published over 65 articles in Armenia, England, Poland, Germany, Austria, and other countries, focusing on issues related to economic security and economic development. In recent years, considering global warming and environmental (pollution) problems, he has especially emphasized these aspects of economic development and planetary security.

Mr Niko Orell is Head of Crisis Management at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) and a leading expert in crisis management, defense policy, and security. With over 25 years of experience across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, he specializes in crisis management, resilience building, risk management, and decision-making under pressure. He collaborates with governments, international organisations, and private companies to design strategies for navigating complex challenges. An accomplished author and keynote speaker, Mr Orell has published articles and addressed global audiences on leadership, crisis response, and situational awareness. He has led EU-level working groups that shaped crisis management concepts, influencing CSDP operations in Europe, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific. Combining field expertise with policy acumen, Mr Orell advises on international crisis response strategies that foster security in high-stakes environments.