MENA Research & Analysis
MENA Research & Analysis
HAMDI HASSAN
A Brief Biography
Political Scientist and Senior Political Analyst working with Counter Influence Campaign in one of the Swedish Government Agencies. Between 2014-2018 Hassan worked as a Senior Political Analyst at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Earlier, between August 2011 and September 2013, I was based in Cairo working as the Senior Political Advisor for West Asia and North Africa at the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). I am passionate about serving in a challenging position that will allow me to constructively identify and articulate key challenges and policy solutions for countries in transition.
I have extensive experience performing political analysis, including working with various media outlets in Europe and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Prior to joining International IDEA, I worked as a Special Advisor to the Swedish Prime Minister Office's Crisis Management Coordination Secretariat, focused mainly on political analysis of the MENA region. During what is commonly known as the "Arab Spring uprisings", I was the focal point for analyzing the situation on the ground and providing policy recommendations on conflict management for the Prime Minister's Office and the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
I offer approximately 25 years of experience researching and working collaboratively with various institutions, civil society organizations and individuals in the MENA region, especially in Egypt.
The various books and articles that I have authored are a reflection of this work. Some of my publications reflect a deeper academic perspective (see selected publications below).
Further details on my publications can be found in my curriculum vitae and in the appendix below. Generally, my expertise is on political Islam, conflict management, the role of media and democratization prospects in the Arab region.
Dr. Hassan's writing focused on Political Islam and International Conflict, Arab Societies and the Prospect for Democratization. Some of his published works include:
- The Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait: Religion, Identity and Otherness in the Analysis of War and Conflict. (Pluto Press. London, 1999).
- Al-Qaeda: The Background of the Pursuit for Global Jihad. (University of Uppsala and Almqvist & Wiksell International, 2004).
- Religion, Identity and Democracy: The Arab Spring: Transition to Democracy at a Crossroads. A Background Note presented at the International IDEA Democracy Forum. Madrid, Spain, November, 2011.
- "Islamization in today's Egypt", in
Islam and politics, edited by Susanne Olsson & Göran Larsson (Student literature. Lund, Sweden, 2011).