Oytun Orhan

Orhan received his bachelor's degree from Gazi University, Department of International Relations, and his master's degree from Hacettepe University, Department of International Relations with a thesis titled "The Impact of Identity on Syria's Regional Politics (1946-2000)". He is currently pursuing his PhD in International Relations at Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, Institute of Social Sciences. In 1999, Oytun Orhan started to work as a researcher at the Middle East Studies Desk of the Eurasian Center for Strategic Studies (ASAM) and continued in this position until 2009. Between 2009 and 2018, Orhan worked as a researcher at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (ORSAM) and after 2018, as the Levant Studies Coordinator. Working mainly on Syria and Lebanon, Orhan has also published on Israel-Palestine, Iraq, the Middle East and Turkey's Middle East policy. Orhan has conducted many projects on the impact of the Syrian civil war on neighboring countries, the impact of Syrian refugees on neighboring countries, and the impact of the Syrian civil war on Syrian minority groups. Orhan has extensive field experience in the Middle East region, particularly in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan.