Haizam Amirah-Fernández is senior analyst for the Mediterranean and the Arab World at Elcano Royal Institute and professor of International Relations at IE University in Madrid. He specializes in international relations, political Islam, intercultural dialogue and transitions to democracy in the Arab world, where he has lived for over sixteen years. He holds an MA in Arab Studies on a Fulbright scholarship from Georgetown University. Professor Amirah-Fernández has published numerous articles and is co-editor of books on North Africa and Euro-Mediterranean relations. He has lectured in universities in Europe, MENA countries and the U.S. He is a frequent commentator in the Spanish and international media.