Abdullah Al-Jabassini holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Kent, United Kingdom. He is a Non-Resident Scholar at the Middle East Institute (Washington, D.C., United States), and a Research Fellow for the Wartime and Post-Conflict in Syria (WPCS) project at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies of the European University Institute (Florence, Italy).
Based on years of fieldwork as well as access to private archives of unpublished documents and footage issued by both civilian and rebel actors, his doctoral dissertation combined insights from conflict studies, anthropology and sociology to explain the creation of wartime social order and further accounts for the shifts between its forms in the predominantly clan-based region of Daraa governorate, southern Syria (from 2011 to 2018).
His general research interests include political violence, dynamics of insurgency formation, rebel governance, civilian behavior during wartime, wartime social orders, and tribes and tribalism. His current research investigates post-conflict violence, reconciliation, rebel-military integration, local governance and institutions, and the Russian and Iranian roles in southern Syria.
Education
PhD., University of Kent, International Relations
M.A., Bahçeşehir University, Global Affairs.
B.A., University of Kalamoon/ Science-Po Paris, International Relations and Diplomacy.
Regions of expertise
Southern Syria
Issues of expertise
Dynamics of insurgency formation, rebel governance, tribalism, wartime institutions, post-conflict violence, reconciliation, rebel-military integration
Languages
English, Arabic
Selected Publications:
- “From Rebel Rule to a Post-Capitulation Era in Daraa Southern Syria: The Impacts and Outcomes of Rebel Behaviour During Negotiations”, (European University Institute, January 2019).
- “From Insurgents to Soldiers: The Fifth Assault Corps in Daraa, Southern Syria”, (European University Institute, May 2019).
- “Governance in Daraa, Southern Syria: The Roles of Military and Civilian Intermediaries”, (European University Institute, November 2019).
- “Festering Grievances and the Return to Arms in Southern Syria”, (European University Institute, April 2020).
- “The Baath Party, Local Notables and Coronavirus Community Response Initiatives in Southern Syria”, (European University Institute, May 2020).
