Haidar Kassem - Researcher and Middle East Expert

Haidar Kassem is a Political Science graduate from the University of Bristol. Since completing his degree Haidar has traveled throughout the Middle East and lived in Iraq for one year. He is currently working as a researcher on the Middle East with a focus on Iraq and is pursuing a Master of Research degree in Politics. He is also advisor of the Iraqi Ambassador in the UK and of the UK Government on Iraqi counter terrorism. His talk will be focused on contextualising the current conflict in light of Iraq's Socio-political fabric.

Naka Alkhzraji - Media Analyst and Middle East Expert

Naka Alkhzraji has graduated in Media and Sociology at the University of Goldsmiths in London. During her undergrad Naka became interested in the MENA region, thus went into journalism for her career and reported on the political affairs in the UK and MENA region. She is currently undertaking her Master Research in Politics and is focusing on terrorism in Iraq and Syria. She has collaborated with several magazines and newspapers producing pieces concerning the MENA region and Islam in the West. Her talk today will be focusing on the birth of ISIS in Iraq.