Name: Amr Al-Azm.
Nationality: American/British/Syrian
Home Address: 3 York Drive, Athens, Ohio 45694.
Work/Mail Address: Gulf Studies Center, Qatar University, Doha Qatar. Telephone: Qatar Mobile: +974-501-33557.
Email Work: aalazm@qu.edu.qa

Education:

University Education:

1986-1992: PhD. Anthropology.
1985-1986: MSc. Bioarchaeology.
1982-1985: B.A. (Hons) Degree (class 2:1), Western Asiatics.

Dissertation title: Crop Storage in Syria, A Functional Analysis Using Ethnographic Modelling.

(All Degrees were obtained at the University of London, UCL)

Languages: English (native fluency in both spoken and written), Arabic (native fluency in both spoken and written), French (good working knowledge).

Employment History:

2020-Current: Associate Professor in the Gulf Studies Program and program coordinator, College of Arts and Sciences at Qatar University. This is an area studies post graduate program (MA and PhD) based at Qatar University.

2009- Current: Professor of Middle East History and Anthropology at Shawnee State University in the USA (Ohio). Program coordinator for Anthropology.

2006- 2009: Visiting Professor at Brigham Young University in the USA. Taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Archaeology, Anthropology and Political Science.

2005- 2006: Dean of University Requirements and Electives at the Arab European University, Damascus, Syria.

2003- 2006: Director of Centre for Archaeological Research and Scientific Laboratories at the University of Damascus. Main areas of research included environmental archaeology, materials analysis, and ceramic technology. The centre also participated in a number of projects relating to cultural heritage management including setting up training workshops as part of a capacity building programme in conjunction with the Syrian Department of Antiquities.

1999-2004: Director of Scientific and Conservation Laboratories at the General Directorate of Antiquities, Damascus, Syria. Projects and duties overseen include:

Setting up of new conservation laboratories both in Damascus and in the provinces. Providing a continuous training programme for both new and existing staff. Setting up a database for the management of the entire object collection in the Museum of Damascus, as well as numerous other lesser projects and activities. I also liaised and managed numerous joint projects between our department and various EU partners.

1998- 2006: Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Damascus, Damascus, Syria.

1996-1997: Freelance Researcher for the Production Department, Middle East Broadcasting, 80 Silverthorne Rd., Battersea, London SW8 3XA.

1996: Conducted fieldwork in Syria and Jordan during the summer. I worked on a series of field projects and completed an extensive ethnographic survey of Syria covering traditional Agrarian practices.

1994-1996: Researcher/Technical Advisor. Infotech Datasearch Ltd. South Acre, London. My responsibilities included general research, data management (using databases) and final report preparation. In 1995 I was promoted Senior Researcher Where my duties included managing a team of 8 researchers covering the USA, UK, and the Middle East.

1989-1991: Scientific Officer on short term contract. English Heritage, Fortress House, Saville Row, London. My duties included examining and analysing environmental samples taken from Archaeological sites.

1987-1988: Researcher/Technical Supervisor. Department of Genetics and Biometry, University College, Mallet Street, London.

Project Participation:

2018-Current. Founder and codirector of The Antiquities Trafficking and Heritage Anthropology Research (ATHAR) Project. ATHAR is a 501(c)3 registered non-profit that documents antiquities trafficked on social media in the Middle East and North Africa social media focusing specifically on Facebook. Through that documentation, ATHAR Project researches regional trends in transnational trafficking, terrorism financing, and organized crime. In June 2019, the ATHAR Project released a 90-page report illustrating how social media has created opportunities for violent extremist organizations and criminal groups to operate in plain sight with little recourse. In June 2020, one year after ATHAR’s 2019 report, Facebook announced its first-ever policy that banned the sale in historical artifacts on its platform. For further information see Antiquities Trafficking and Heritage Anthropology Research (ATHAR) Project

2013-Current. I lead and coordinate the activities of the Heritage Protection Initiative (TDA-HPI) for cultural heritage protection in Syria. TDA-HPI provides an organizational framework for addressing emergency preservation concerns among heritage professionals and activists inside Syria, providing training and supplies for emergency stabilization, collecting verified documentation on deliberate acts of cultural destruction for human rights groups, and advocating for heritage protection among the international community. TDA-HPI produces regular reports on the state

of cultural heritage sites and monuments including rapid assessment and damage reports due to bombing, looting and other violations. For further information about TDA-HPI please visit http://tda-hpi.org/en

2010-2011 (March): Senior Consultant for the New Vision for the Syrian Museums and Cultural Heritage Sites. The New Vision project was part of a massive national program for improved economic and social development, infrastructure, education, and tourism which in turn would generate new jobs in all regions of the country through the creation of a vibrant cultural heritage sector.

2004- 2009: Co-Director of the Syrian Mosaic Corpus Project. The project is a joint programme by the Centre for Archaeological Research at the University of Damascus and the European Centre for Byzantine and Post Byzantine Monuments (EKBBM). The aim of the project is to document all existing mosaics in Syria using a database in order to create a working corpus of Syrian mosaics.

2006- 2008: Co-Director of the Ras Al-Hadd Project in Oman. The general objective of the project is to contribute and assist the Omani government and the MoT in preserving and managing the rich cultural heritage of Oman through the development of the Ras al-Hadd fort into a museum and information centre thus becoming a focal point of any visit to the area of Ras al-Hadd.

2001- 2008: Co-Director of the Azm Palace Project in Damascus Syria. The Project is a cooperative effort between Brigham Young University and the DGAM focusing on the interpretation, preservation and exhibition of the collections of the Ottoman era Azm Palace in the Old City of Damascus.

2005-2006: Editorial Manager for the MEDINA Project. This is a Euro- Mediterranean project co-financed by the EU and 14 regional partners (managed by the Ministry for Tourism in Syria). The aims of the project are to create a “federation of nine integrated web sites and of the MEDINA Portal to promote culture related tourism in the Euro-Mediterranean region. My duties included drafting of texts and editorial supervision of the implementation of the MEDINA national website.

2004- 2005: Consultant anthropologist for the MENMED (Man and his Environment) project. This is a joint project between the DGAM and the EU, which aims at studying the relationship between man and his environment across the ages. My duties included carrying out ethnographic research and fieldwork on communities currently living in the region.

2004-2005: Consultant anthropologist for a jointly funded project between the Directorate of Rural Development (Ministry of Agriculture), the DGAM and the World Development Fund (Rome) for Land Reclamation and Cultural Heritage Management in the Limestone Massif (Dead Cities). Duties included carrying out field work and writing reports.

2002-2004: European Union funded programme for Cultural Heritage Training (16 projects). Local Director for three projects.

2000-2004: Italian Government Finance Initiative for the Renovation and Reorganisation of the National Museum of Damascus and the Rehabilitation of the Citadel of Damascus. Head of the PMU for the Archaeological Science and Conservation Laboratory part of the project with a budget of 1.3 million Euros.

2001-2003: Consultant anthropologist for UNDP/GEF projects on Biodiversity, Conservation and Protected Area Management. Duties included carrying out fieldwork and writing reports. I have produced several detailed socioeconomic reports for different regions in Syria.

2000-2001: Director of Khan Assad Pacha project, (a joint Syrian Japanese project to set up a Natural History Museum at the Khan Assad Pacha in Damascus).

Public Lectures and Other Syria/Current Events Related Activities:

IFLA World Library and Information Congress August 17-19, 2021

I presented on a panel discussing the use of social media platforms for the trafficking in manuscripts and other looted cultural heritage.

Regional Arab Dialogue and the Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the 1970 UNESCO Convention in the Arab Region, 6 September 2021.

Participated in a panel discussion on illicit trafficking in the Arab world and effective prevention measures.

ASOR Virtual Annual Meeting, November 18-21, 2020.

I presented on two panels at the ASOR annual meeting, Ethics:

• The Role of Digital Technology in Preserving Syria’s CulturalHeritage: The Ethics and Authenticity of Reconstruction versusRestoration and Preservation.
• Protecting Syria’s Cultural Heritage, the Local Way: Cultural Heritageand Archaeology of Palmyra.7th Meeting of the Informal Network of Law Enforcement and Expertise in the Field of Cultural Goods (EU-CULNET), November 2020.I did a presentation at the workshop “Practical Measures to fight Illegal Trade in Archaeological Cultural Property” on the role of social media in promoting and facilitating cultural heritage trafficking.Middle East Center (MEC) at University of Pennsylvania, November 11, 2020.I gave a public lecture titled Threat to Heritage in Times of Conflict.Congress on Illicit Antiquities Trade on Social Media, University of Edinburgh, January 25,2020, Edinburgh.I presented a lecture titled The Role of Non-State Actors in Preserving Cultural Heritage in Times of Conflict.

UNESCO Expert Meeting on Combatting Illicit Traffickingof Cultural Property

During COVID-19-Illicit Excavations and Online Trade, 26 June 2020.

I participated in a panel talking about illicit excavations and the impact of the

COVID -19 pandemic on trafficking in looted antiquities.

National Museum of World Cultures, November 12, 2019, Stockholm, Sweden.

I presented a lecture on illegal trade and threatened cultural heritage. The lecture was titled Protecting Heritage the Local Way: Syria a case study.

North Carolina Journal of International Law Symposium, October 11, 2019

I presented a paper titled Threat to Heritage in Times of Conflict and the Role of Non-State Actors in Preserving it: A Syrian case study.

Middle East Regional Security and Cooperation Conference, August 15-17, 2019 Prague, Czech Republic.

I was a speaker on a panel discussion titled “The Geopolitics of Syrian Reconstruction.” The conference was organized by UCLA Center for Middle East Development (CMED) and the Czech Foreign Ministry.

Heinrich Boell Foundation: Together | To Gather – The Space We Shape Workshop, August 6-10, 2019 Berlin, Germany.

I was invited to give a presentation and participate on a panel addressing the relationship between citizens, space and time in post-conflict conditions. The panel was part of a workshop hosted by the Heinrich Boell Foundation examining the dynamics of communities living together and shaping their context.

Getty Villa Museum, Malibu: The Future of Palmyra in the Digital Age February 2, 2019.

I gave a presentation at the Getty Villa Museum in Malibu titled: The Role of Digital Technology in Preserving Syria’s Cultural Heritage. I also took part in a roundtable discussion addressing the pros and cons of digital versus actual reconstruction, including ethical and aesthetic issues, political repercussions, resource allocation, reconciliation, authenticity, etc.

Stones and Lives: Workshop on Proportionality and Non-Human Value in War, November 19-20, 2018 Beirut, Lebanon.

I gave a presentation on the importance of preserving cultural heritage in times of conflict with the ongoing war in Syria as an example. The workshop is part of a project on Heritage in War funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council in the UK.

GIZ Closing Event – Post Conflict Recovery of Urban Heritage October 10-11, 2018, Berlin, Germany.

I was invited as a regional expert to give a presentation on The Day After Heritage Protection Initiative’s work in preserving and protecting Syria’s cultural heritage during the ongoing conflict.

GIZ Workshop on Post Conflict Recovery of Urban Heritage June 7, 2018, Beirut, Lebanon.

I participated as a regional expert in a one-day workshop on post conflict recovery of urban cultural heritage focusing on restoration and reconstruction processes.

University of Montana Central and Southwest Asian Studies Conference, April 18-20, 2018 Missoula, Montana.

I was a keynote speaker at the conference. My lecture was on the Syrian conflict, key actors and dynamics.

UNESCO sponsored meeting at the Centro di Conservazione Archeologica (CCA) for Community Based Safeguarding of Museums and Mosaics, September 12-13, 2017 Rome, Italy.

I presented an update report on the condition of the Ma’ara and Apamea museums in Syria. I also presented and discussed a funding proposal for new mitigation projects at these two museums.

Leiden University Centre for the Study of Islam and Society (LUCIS) and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs Panel Discussion and Exchange, May 11-12, 2017 Hague, Holland.

I presented a paper titled The Importance of Cultural Heritage in Enhancing a Syrian National Identity: a path towards post conflict stabilization. I also participated in a panel discussion on the same topic.

Antiquities as Global Contraband conference at the University of Chicago, Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society, May 3 & 4, 2017, Chicago.

I presented a paper titled: Protecting Cultural Heritage the Low-Tech Way, the role of non-state actors in preserving Syria’s cultural heritage.

Wright State University, Public Lecture, November 14, 2016 Dayton, Ohio.

I gave a public lecture titled: Civil War in Syria and ISIS: The Challenges for the Next President, followed by a question and answer session.

World Heritage Strategy Forum, Harvard University, September 9-11, 2016, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

I presented a paper on my latest research regarding ISIS’s destruction of cultural heritage and how that fits into their ideology. I also took part in a panel of the trafficking of looted antiquities.

UNESCO Action Plan Review Meeting for the Safeguarding of Syria’s Cultural Heritage, June 2-4, 2016 Berlin, Germany.

I was on the closing remarks panel of the UNESCO Action Plan Review Meeting. Spoke about the role of Syria’s cultural heritage in post conflict stabilization and reconciliation and the importance of supporting groups and organizations working to save this heritage in areas outside regime control.

Maison Du Futur – Conference on The Sykes Picot Agreement a Century Later: A New Order for the Middle East? May 17, 2016 Beirut, Lebanon.

I presented a paper on a panel at the conference titled Retrospective and Prospective: Syria and Lebanon.

Metropolitan Museum – Briefing on the Theft and Destruction of Cultural Heritage, April 29, 2016 New York.

I was invited to speak at a briefing that was part of a private event hosted by

Samantha Powers at the Metropolitan Museum. I spoke about the work of TDA-HPI in saving Syria’s cultural heritage.

US House of Representatives – Committee on Financial Services: Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing, April 19, 2016 Washington DC.

I was invited to testify at a congressional hearing held by the Committee on Financial Services: Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing. The hearing is titled: Preventing Cultural Genocide: Countering the Plunder and Sale of Priceless Cultural Antiquities by ISIS.

Middle East Institute and the Antiquities Coalition – Culture Under Threat: Recommendations to the US Government, April 13, 2016 Washington DC.

Participated in a panel talking about the efforts of TDA-HPI in protecting Syria’s cultural heritage. Antiquities Coalition, the Middle East Institute (MEI) and the Asia Society hosted the meeting. TDA-HPI’s activities are also featured in the Task Force Report launched at the meeting.

Niagara Foundation – Panel Discussion on Challenges in the Middle East: The Impact on Local and Global Communities at the Ohio Union, April 6, 2016 Columbus, Ohio.

My presentation focused on talk about why ISIS destroys cultural heritage and how that fits into their ideology. I will also explain the difference in in ISIS ideology between destroying cultural heritage and destroying religious sites.

University of Montana (Missoula) – 14th CSWA Conference, March 23-25, 2016 Missoula, Montana.

I was the keynote speaker for the session titled The War in Syria and the Destruction of Syrian Antiquity.

University of California Berkeley – CMES Symposium Beyond Destruction: Archaeology and Cultural Heritage in the Middle East, March 11-12, 2016 Berkeley, California.

Presented a paper on the importance and role of cultural heritage in preserving national identity.

Ohio State University Mershon Centre – Symposium on Extremist Jihadi Groups, March 9, 2016 Columbus, Ohio.

The title of my presentation was Challenge and Response: The Rise of Radical Jihadi Islamic Groups in Syria and Iraq From Al-Qaeda to ISIS. The other speakers were Alam Payind Director of the ME studies Centre at Ohio State University (OSU) and Richard Herrmann Chair of the Dept. of political science at OSU.

Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey – MONTREP Conference Culture in the Crossfire, March 3, 2016 Monterey, CA.

Presented in a panel on Antiquities destruction in the Middle East.

Smith College – Saving Syria’s Cultural Heritage, February 23, 2016 Northampton, MA.

Presented a lecture on the efforts to save Syria’s cultural heritage and the importance of such endeavors.

Athens Ohio Public Library – Syria an Insider’s View, January 14, 2016.

I gave a public lecture on the current crisis in Syria, the adequacy of US foreign policy and the threat of ISIS.

Colorado Springs World Affairs Council, December 8, 2015 Colorado.

I presented a lecture titled Destruction of Cultural Heritage in the Middle East.

ASOR International Summit to Promote Collaboration, December 11, 2015 Washington DC.

I was invited to speak at the open session held at the National Geographic Society as part of the ASOR International Summit program.

ASOR Cultural Heritage Initiatives Symposium – What are we doing about heritage in peril? November 11, 2015 Atlanta.

I participated in panel discussion on looting and the demand for conflict antiquities. The panel included Andrew Vaughn, Michael Danti and Morag Kersel. I also presented a summary of my work in Syria with TDA-HPI.

New Orleans Federal Bar Association’s Third Annual Cultural Heritage Seminar on October 15 New Orleans.

I presented at a seminar is entitled ” Tomb Raiders and Terrorist Financing: Cutting Off ISIS’ Traffic in Blood Antiquities.” The seminar sought to expose the illicit industry, tracing the paths of looted masterpieces from the war zones of Iraq and Syria, through the global art market. It also explored how United States and international law is seeking to cut off this source of terrorist financing, including recent action by the U.S. Congress and United Nations Security Council.

International Foundation for Art Research (IFAR) – ISIS, War and the Threat to Cultural Heritage in Iraq and Syria. August 11, 2015 New York.

I was part of a panel that included professors Michael Danti and Richard Zettler talking about the ongoing destruction of Syria’s cultural heritage.

NYU School of Continuing & Professional Studies – symposium on Art Crime and Cultural Heritage: Fakes, Forgeries, Looted and Stolen Art June 4-6, 2015 New York.

I participated on a panel titled Cultural heritage Destruction and the illicit Trade. The other panelists included Michael Danti Co-Director of the ASOR Syrian Heritage Initiative and Edouard Planche from UNESCO.

Doha Forum – Enriching the Middle East’s Economic Future Conference May 11-13, 2015 Doha, Qatar.

I was invited speak at a session titled The New Sectarianism and the ISIS

Threat. Other speakers included former US Ambassador Fred Hoff, Dr. Jaber Al Jabri from the Iraqi Parliament and Dr. Abdullah Alshammari from the Diplomatic Institute.

Society for American Archaeologists (SAA) 80th Annual Meeting – Symposium: International Destruction of Cultural Heritage: Evidence and Responses in Syria and Iraq April 17, 2015 San Francisco.

I participated in the SAA symposium and presentation was titled: The Syrian Heritage Force and the Importance of Preserving Cultural Heritage.

Michigan State University – Panel Discussion on Syria and ISIS February 27, 2015 Michigan.

I participated in a panel discussion on the Crisis in Syria and the rise of ISIS. The other panellist was Prof. Russel Lucas from Michigan State.

Middle East Regional Security and Cooperation Conference, February 19-21, 2015 Prague, Czech Republic.

I was on a panel discussion titled “Syria’s Civil War: Strengths, Weaknesses and Staying Power of the Major Parties.” My presentation focused on analysing the Syrian Regime’s strengths, weaknesses and staying power; the conference was organized by UCLA Center for Middle East Development (CMED) and the Czech Foreign Ministry.

US House of Representatives – Anti-Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Task Force: Briefing on ISIS Financing November 24, 2014 Washington DC.

I was invited to brief Congressional staff to learn how the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is using the looting and illicit trade in antiquities to help finance its terrorist operations.

UNESCO – First Aid Support Meeting Dedicated to the Aleppo Museums Paris October 28-29, 2014 Paris, France.

I was invited to participate in a meeting to discuss the need to provide first aid support for the numerous Aleppo museums and put in place a six-month pan of action.

Shawnee State University – Crisis in the Middle East: A Syrian Dissident Speaks Out, October 20, 2014 Portsmouth, Ohio.

I was invited by CIPA to give a public lecture on the current situation in Iraq and Syria and the impact of US foreign policy on the region. The lecture was to kick off a weeklong international event.

The U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield and the Office of the Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture Smithsonian Institution – 60th Anniversary of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict September 19, 2014 Washington DC.

I participated in a panel discussion on the need to protect Syria’s cultural heritage and preserve it for future generations.

Smithsonian Institution Workshop – Emergency Methods for Packing and Crating Collections, June 23-26, 2014 Gaziantep, Turkey.

I was a co-organiser and trainer of the workshop, which focused on what can be done for the emergency protection of museums, libraries, archives, and archaeological sites. The goal is to increase the capacity of participants to return to opposition-controlled areas and preserve Syrian heritage for future generations.

UNESCO – International Experts Meeting on the Theme “Rallying the International Community to Safeguard Syria’s Cultural Heritage May 26-28, 2014 Paris, France.

I participated in a panel discussion on the current situation in Syria and possible responses to the safeguarding of the country’s built, movable and intangible heritage. The main objective of the meeting is to adopt a protocol on cooperation mechanisms and an action plan for the safeguarding of Syria’s cultural heritage during the conflict, as well as in the recovery phase.

University of Cantabria – International Conference Heritage and Conflict: Lessons to safeguard Syrian heritage April 23-25, 2014 Santander, Spain.

I presented a paper titled: The Role of Cultural Heritage in Assisting Post Conflict Stabilization and Reconciliation in Syria.

Princeton University – Syria’s Heritage in Crisis Conference December 6, 2013 New Jersey.

I presented a paper at a half-day experts conference focusing what can be done to help save and preserve Syria’s cultural heritage, which has become another casualty of the on-going war there.

College of the Holy Cross – Panel Discussion on Syria October 23, 2013 Worcester, MA.

I participated in a panel discussion on what the US/West should do in Syria and will examine the conditions under which threats of or actual intervention have been successful in stopping serious humanitarian crises, and how these lessons apply to Syria. The panellists included Leila Hilal Director of the Middle East Task Force at the New America Foundation and John Western Professor of International Relations at Mount Holyoke College.

Harvard University Centre for Middle East Studies – Roundtable on Syria: Causes, Dynamics and Prospects September 30, 2013 Cambridge, MA.

I participated in a roundtable discussion on the causes of the Syrian crisis, its dynamics and prospects for its resolution in the short and medium term with Bassam Haddad Director of the Middle East Studies program at George Mason University and moderated by Prof. Roger Owen.

Elliot School of International Affairs GWU – Middle East Policy Forum: Syria Prospects and Problems September 26, 2013 Washington DC.

I participated in a panel discussing regime capabilities, disaggregated resistance movements, regional implications, U.S. involvement, and the uncertain future of the crisis. The panellists included Steve Heydeman from

USIP, Fred Hof senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and Murhaf Juwejati from NDU. Ambassador Edward “Skip” Gnehm moderated the event.

Shawnee State University – Panel Discussion on Syria and how should the United States Respond to the Assad Regime’s Use of Chemical Weapons September 11 2013 Portsmouth, Ohio.

I organized and participated a panel discussion on current events in Syria and whether the United States should respond with force to the Syrian regime’s use of Chemical weapons against its own civilian population. The panel focused on the issues arising out of the Syrian civil war, how the conflict affects other countries in the Middle East, the impact of US involvement, the substance and binding character of international law, and other U.S. constitutional and political issues. The panelists included colleagues from Shawnee State University, Clifford Poirot professor of economics and anthropology and Stylianos Hadjiyannis professor of political science.

Centre for Global Affairs – NYU Syria Scenario Workshop 7-8 February 2013 New York.

I participated in a scenario-building workshop at NYU sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation. The workshop aimed to imagine plausible, alternate outcomes of the Syrian conflict post-Assad, and to identify points of leverage for outside actors to encourage more positive outcomes, and to manage downsides.

New America Foundation Senate Foreign Relations Committee Briefing Syria: The New Coalition, the Situation on the Ground, and U.S. Policy Option December 10, 2012 Washington DC.

I was part of an expert panel that covered the makeup of the Syrian National Opposition Coalition, including groups that are included and excluded, transitional plans, and if its formation will resolve the problem of leadership fragmentation. The battle for Syria, including who is winning the war and what would tip the balance, the effect of additional funds and arms, and if and how the U.S. can control where foreign support goes. U.S. policy options, military and non-military, including an assessment of the medium to long– terms scenarios and how the U.S. can position itself toward the best outcome.

Middle East Institute Annual Conference Nov. 14, 2012 – New Horizons, New Challenges: The Middle East in 2013, November 14, 2012 Washington DC.

I was invited to participate on a panel: Syria and the Regional Implications of the Crisis. The panel examined the regional dimensions of the Syrian conflict and the strategic calculations of key players, including Turkey, Iran, and Russia. The panelists included Randa Slim of MEI; Geneive Abdo of Stimson/MEI; Saban Kardas of TOBB University in Ankara; and Ekaterina Stepanova of the Institute of the World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) in Moscow.

Middle East Regional Security and Cooperation Conference, August 30-

September 2, 2012 Prague, Czech Republic.

I was invited to present an update on the latest events in Syria at the ME security and cooperation conference on the recent uprising in Syria. I was also on a panel that presented the newly released Day After document outlining a transition plan for a post Assad Syria. The conference was organized by UCLA Center for Middle East Development (CMED).

Middle East Seminar at Harvard University February 1, 2012 Cambridge, MA.

I was invited to present a lecture on the Syrian uprising and the opposition for the Middle East Seminar at Harvard University. The seminar is sponsored by the Weatherhead Centre for International Affairs and the Centre for Middle Eastern Studies both of Harvard University. It is Co-chaired by Professor Herbert Kelman, Dr. Sara Roy and Professor Lenore Martin.

Ohio State University Mershon Centre for International Security Studies January 18, 2012 Columbus, Ohio.

I was invited to present a lecture followed by a panel discussion at the Ohio State University Mershon Centre for International Security Studies January 18, 2012.

Bruno Kreisky Forum for International Dialogue, Debates on “Arab Changes”. October 6, 2011 Vienna, Austria.

I was invited to participate in a panel discussion on the current situation in Syria with Carsten Wieland (political analyst and consultant), Gisele Khoury (Al-Arabiya), and Gudrun Harrer senior editor at the Austrian daily DERSTANDARD.

United States Institute of Peace, Syria Conflict Assessment and Regional Implications Workshop, September 21, 2011 Washington DC.

I was invited to participate in a workshop on Syria at the USIP as part of a panel of experts on the region. My presentation focused on the deteriorating relationship between Syrian regime and its neighbours and the possible emergence of a “Benghazi” scenario involving Turkish military engagement. My briefing was also published as part of a series on how events in Syria are affecting its neighbours.

Middle East Regional Security and Cooperation Conference, July 21-24, 2011 Athens, Greece.

I was invited to present a paper at the ME security and cooperation conference on the recent uprising in Syria, the various opposition groups involved, and the strategies engaged by both the regime and the protesters. The conference was organized by UCLA Center for Middle East Development (CMED), the Swiss Foreign Ministry, and the Greek Government.

Council on Foreign Relations Middle East Studies Roundtable Series: The Crisis in Syria, July 20, 2011, Washington DC.

I was invited to participate in a roundtable discussion on the Syrian crisis presided by Eliot Abrams (special assistant to the President George Bush and the NSC’s senior director for Near East and North African Affairs in 2002).

Washington Institute SOREF Symposium, Between Protests and Power: Middle East Change and US Interests, May 12-13, 2011, Washington DC.

I was invited to present a talk on the Syrian uprising focusing on regime strategies and its prospects for survival.

New York State Political Science Association 65th Annual Conference hosted by Niagara University, April 8-9, 2011, Niagara, NY State.

I presented a paper at the NYSPSA conference titled: “Engaging Syria: What can the Obama Administration Expect from Damascus”.

Middle East Studies Association Conference (MESA), November 21-23, 2009 Boston, MA.

I was invited by the Syrian Studies Association at the MESA conference to participate in a panel discussion on the current socio-political climate in Syria and the outlook for the future of the Syrian regime. Participants included noted academics Joshua Landis, Eyal Zisser, Sadiq al-Azm.

Washington Institute Weinberg Founders Conference, October 17-18, 2009, Washington DC.

I was invited to participate in a panel discussion titled: Syria Prospects for Strategic Realignment.

Teaching Experience:

I am currently a Professor Middle East History and Anthropology (Tenured) at Shawnee State University. I have developed and teach a number of undergraduate/postgraduate courses related to research methodology, Middle East history, anthropology and political science.

I am also the program coordinator for the Gulf Studies program at Qatar University where I teach courses on research methodology (social sciences) and social anthropology.

Courses taught include the following:

(Under Development) Masters in Cultural Heritage Preservation and Documentation in Times of Conflict: This MA program aims to introduce students to the challenges of preserving and documenting cultural heritage under threat using research and lessons learnt from the conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen. I am currently developing a fully online version of this program with the ability of teaching it fully online including the field work/application components using photogrammetry and virtual teaching environments.

Senior Seminar: This is a capstone seminar course for graduating seniors. The course provides an opportunity for students to place their chosen fields of study (Social Sciences) in an interdisciplinary context with intellectual, ethical, and historical perspectives. The seminar focuses on research methodology and the synthesis/integration of various concepts by applying them to the analysis and solution of problems viewed in the context of their academic disciplines. One goal of this course is to work through the research, evaluation, presentation and writing process of producing a fluently written, thoughtful and analytical research paper.

Anthropology: Cultural Anthropology, Social Anthropology, Political Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Forensic Anthropology, Introduction to Archaeology, The Archaeology of Death and Mortuary Practice, World Prehistory.

Middle East History: Introduction to Middle East History Peoples and Culture, History of Islam from the 7th-15th Century, Ancient History of the Near East, History of the Crusades: The Crescent and the Cross, Middle East in Modern Times, Arab Israeli Conflict, Jerusalem Through the Ages.

Political Science: Middle East Political Systems (undergraduate), Political Islam, Social and Cultural Roots of Current Middle East Crises, Islam: Religion, Politics and Society.

From 1998-2006 I was a lecturer at the University of Damascus Department of Archaeology where I taught a number of courses at both an undergraduate and postgraduate level. (These courses were taught in Arabic)

Introduction to Environmental Archaeology, Physical Anthropology, Cultural anthropology course with special emphasis on ethno-archaeology and its practical use in the interpretation of archaeological data, Prehistoric Archaeology of the Ancient Near East, Archaeology of the Ancient Near East.

Archaeological Field Experience:

2015-Current: Co-Investigator on the ASOR Cultural Heritage Initiatives (CHI) Project. CHI is an international, collaborative effort to respond to the destruction of cultural heritage in Syria and northern Iraq. CHI is funded by US State Department.

2007-2009: Co-director of the American expedition to the site of Appamea in Syria. The project aims to excavate the Great Roman amphitheatre and its environs.

2007-2009: Co-director of the American expedition to the site of Palmyra in Syria. The project aims to investigate the corridor area between Efqa spring and the Temple of Bel.

2005-2008: Archaeobotanist for the site of Jebel Khaled in northeast Syria run by the School of Archaeology and Anthropology at The Australian National University.

2005- 2006: Member of the Wadi Qalqal Survey Project in northeast Syria run by the School of Archaeology and Anthropology at The Australian National University. I was involved in conducting studies into the present and past exploitation of both domestic and wild plant foods.

2002-2003: Director of the Northeast Syrian Archaeological Survey Project, a multi- disciplinary survey project including environmental, geomorphological, and socio- anthropological. The socio-anthropological aspect was mainly concerned with ethnographic studies on agrarian and non- agrarian subsistence patterns, land use and spatial distribution patterns and management).

2002-2003: Director of archaeological excavations of the Chinggis Khan Expedition. This is a joint American/ Mongolian archaeological mission at Uglugchin Kherem in Mongolia. The site is reputed to be a possible burial place of Chinggis Khan.

1999- 2005: Co-director of the joint Syrian/American archaeological mission at Tell Hamoukar in Hassakeh.-  I have also excavated at the following archaeological sites in Syria: Bosra, Tell Nebi Mend (Homs), Tell Halawa (Raqaa), Tell Brak, Tell Kerma, Chagar Bazar.

–  Field research at Aqaba in Jordan.

–  Extensive ethnographic survey of traditional agrarian practices, land use andspatial management in Syria.

–  A field Survey of edible wild plants in Syria and Jordan.

–  I have excavated at the following archaeological sites in the UK: Bath, Brighton,Catterick and London.

–  I am a qualified under water archaeologist and I have worked on numeroussurveys and recovery missions.

Publications:Forthcoming: Al-Azm, A. Traditional Agrarian Practices in the Villages of the “Missyaf Region in Syria” an Ethnographic Study.Forthcoming: Al-Azm, A. “Wooden Helmets and Paper Flights, The Mamluks are Off to War: Recent Finds of Medieval Arms and Armour at the Citadel of Damascus.”

(Under contract): Al-Azm A. and Rahman M. (eds.) 2022. Social Change in the Gulf Societies – Social, Economic and Political Dimensions. Springer Nature.

Al-Azm, A. and Paul, K. 2020. Facebook’s Flawed Plan to End Antiquities Trafficking, Foreign Affairs, July 1. Web. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/middle-east/2020-07-01/facebooks-flawed- plan-end-antiquities-trafficking

Al-Azm, A. and Paul, K. 2019. Facebook’s Black Market in Antiquities: Trafficking, Terrorism and War Crimes, ATHAR Project. Web. http://atharproject.org/wp- content/uploads/2019/06/A THAR-FB-Report-June-2019-final.pdf

Al-Azm, A. and Paul, K. 2017. “The Middle East’s Other Facebook Revolution: Antiquities Trafficking in the Digital Age”, World Politics Review, Aug 14. Web. https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/25532/how-facebook-made-it-easier- than-ever-to-traffic-middle-eastern-antiquities

Al-Azm, A. and Paul, K. 2017. “ISIS Eyes Tunisia’s Cultural Heritage as Militants Return”, MEI, Nov. 7. Web. http://www.mei.edu/content/article/isis-eyes-tunisia-s- cultural-heritage-militants-return

Al-Azm, A. 2017. “The Importance of Cultural Heritage in Enhancing a Syrian National Identity and the role of local non-state actors in preserving it”. In Ruth Young and Paul Newson (Eds.), Post-Conflict Archaeology and Cultural Heritage. Rebuilding Knowledge, Memory and Community from War-Damaged Material Culture. Routledge.

Al-Azm, A. 2017. (FP contributor). “What Comes After ISIS: The jihadi group’s defeat in Mosul and Raqqa is about to usher in a new era and new conflicts”. Foreign Policy. Web. http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/07/10/what-comes-after-isis-islamic- state-mosul-iraq-syria/

Al-Azm, A. 2016. “Coming of Islam to Syria”. In J. Tubb (Ed.), Syria: Birthplace of Culture. London: Stacey Publishing.

Al-Azm, A. 2016. “Means and Methods of Destruction”. IFAR Journal. Vol. 16, No.4.

Al-Azm, A. 2015. “Isis and the Illicit Trade in Antiquities” IWA. Vol. 1, No 1. Web. https://iwamag.org/2015/09/29/isis-and-the-illicit-trade-of-artifacts/

Al-Azm, A. 2015. “Why ISIS Wants to Destroy Syria’s Cultural Heritage”. Time. Web. http://time.com/author/amr-al-azm/

Al-Azm, A. 2015. “Syria’s Cultural Treasures are Key to Our National Identity”. Evening Standard. London.

Al-Azm, A. 2015. The Pillaging of Syria’s Cultural Heritage. MEI, May 22, Web.http://www.mei.edu/content/at/pillaging-syrias-cultural-heritage

Al-Azm, A. 2014 October 10. “Die Kunst der Finanzierung des Terrors”. TAZ.DE. Web. http://www.taz.de/1/archiv/digitaz/artikel/?ressort=sw&dig=2014/

Al-Azm, A. Daniel, B. 2014 September 2. “ISIS’ Antique Sideline”. The New York Times. Web.http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/03/opinion/isis-antiquities-sideline.html?_r=0

Al-Azm, A. 2014. “Assessing the Syria Talks in Geneva”. The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, Feb 13. Web.http://www.aucegypt.edu/gapp/cairoreview/Pages/articleDetails.aspx?aid=514

Al-Azm, A. 2013. “Recreating and Enhancing a Syrian National Identity.” In A. Al- Azm (Ed.), Syrian Reconstruction: Challenges and Solutions pp. 22-29. Qatar International Academy for Security Studies.

Al-Azm, A. 2013. “Fundamentals of Post Conflict Reconstruction.” In A. Al-Azm (Ed.), Syrian Reconstruction: Challenges and Solutions pp. 19-22. Qatar International Academy for Security Studies.

Al-Azm, A. 2013. “Management and Preservation of Mosaics in Syria: Between Theory and Practice.” In Ellen Bradshaw and John Fossey (Ed. in chief), The Levant-Crossroads of Late Antiquity: History, Religion and Archaeology. McGill University Monographs in Classical Archaeology and History 22. Leiden: E. J. Brill Publishers.

Al-Azm, A. 2012. “Breaking the Syria Stalemate”. The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, Dec 18. Web.http://www.aucegypt.edu/gapp/cairoreview/Pages/articleDetails.aspx?aid=275

Al-Azm, A. 2012. “The Formation of Syria’s National Coalition: An Assessment and Analysis”. Syria Comment, Nov 13. Web. http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=16730&cp=all

Al-Azm. A. 2011. Review of the book Syrian Foreign Policy and the United States: From Bush to Obama, by Hinnebusch, Raymond, Kabalan, Marwan, et. al. in Review of Middle East Studies, vol 45, no 1, 109-110.

Al-Azm, A. 2011. “Syrian Uprising: Looking in Looking Out”. Peacebrief, 110. United States Institute for Peace.

Al-Azm, A. 2011. “Turkey and the Benghazi Factor”. Fikra Forum, Oct 11. Web. http://fikraforum.org/?p=1621.

Al-Azm, A. 2011. “Reconciling the Diaspora and the Street: Syrian Opposition Efforts to Unite”. Fikra Forum, Oct 6. Web. http://fikraforum.org/?p=1579.

Al-Azm, A. 2009. “The Importance and Antiquity of Frikkeh: a simple snack or a socio-economic indicator of decline and prosperity in the ancient Near East”. In A.S. Fairbairn & E. Weiss (Eds.) From Foragers to Farmers: Papers in Honour of Gordon C. Hillman. Oxbow Monographs.

Al-Azm, A. 2008. “Conservation and Preservation of Mosaics in Syria: The Case for a Multidisciplinary Approach.” In Aïcha Ben Abed, Martha Demas and Thomas Roby (Eds.) Lessons learned: reflecting on the theory and practice of mosaic conservation: proceedings of the 9th ICCM Conference, Hammamet, Tunisia, November 29- December 3, 2005, 139-143. Los Angeles: Getty Conservation Institute.

Al-Azm, A. 2006. “Archaeobotanical and Environmental Studies at Jebel Khaled: Preliminary Report on the 2005 Season.” Mediterranean Archaeology 18.

Al-Azm, A. 2003. “Conservation and Preservation of Mosaics in Syria: Examining the Case to Remove or Restore in Situ from a Syrian Perspective.” Apparati Musivi Antichi Nell’area Del Mediteraneo, Atti del I convegno internatzionale di studi La material e I segni della storia Piazza Armerina 9-13 aprile 2003, 198-200.

Gibson, M. and Al-Azm, A. 2003. “Hamoukar Preliminary Excavation Report” Annalles Archaeologiques Arabe Syrienne 45.

Al-Azm, A. and Calcani, J. 2002. Between Damascus and Rome, the Architecture of Apolodoro in Classical Culture. L’erma di Bretschneider.

Gibson, M. and Al-Azm, A. 2002. “First Season of Syrian-American Investigations at Hamoukar, Hasakeh Province.” Iraq 64: 69-78.

Gibson, M. and Al-Azm, A. 2002. “Hamoukar: A Summary of Three Seasons of Excavations.” Akkadica 123: 11-35.

Al-Azm, A. and Abdel Karim, M. eds, 2002. Proceedings of the Conference on the Jezira and Cultural Relations, Syrian Ministry of Culture.

Hubbard, R.N.L.B. and Al-Azm, A. 1990. “Quantifying Preservation and Distortion in Carbonized Seeds; and Investigating the History of “Frikke” Production.” Journal of Archaeological Science 17 (1): 103-106.

References:

Available upon request.