Barno Anvar, Member
Ms. Barno Anvar is a prominent journalist and expert on terrorism, migration, and religious radicalism. With over 27 years of experience in journalism, including at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) in Prague, she has authored hundreds of analytical reports and produced numerous documentaries, including from critical hotspots such as the Turkey-Syria border during the height of the ISIS and migration crises, as well as conflict zones like Ukraine, the Andijan massacre in Uzbekistan, and the Velvet Revolution in Kyrgyzstan. She holds a PhD in International Journalism and a BA in Journalism from the National University of Uzbekistan in Tashkent, as well as a BA in Pedagogy from the University of Andijan.
Samira Benz — Member
Samira Benz works with Violence Prevention Network USA. Previously, Samira worked with the Strong Cities Network. She served as a Head of the Coordination Unit for Returnees at the Senate Department for the Interior and Sport in Berlin, where she oversaw the reintegration of individuals returning from ISIS. She co-authored a book on deradicalisation and disengagement from Islamist extremism in Germany. Samira holds a BA in Middle Eastern Studies from the Free University of Berlin and an MA in Terrorism and Political Violence from the University of St Andrews.
Marc Finaud, Member
Mr. Marc Finaud is a former French diplomat. For more than 15 years, he worked as a Senior Programme Advisor for the Emerging Security Challenges Programme and the Arms Proliferation Cluster Leader at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP). During his 30-years career as a French diplomat, he served in several bilateral postings (in the Soviet Union, Poland, Israel and Australia), as well multilateral missions (Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Conference on Disarmament and the United Nations). He is now a Swiss citizen.
Rashid Gabdulhakov — Member
Dr Rashid Gabdulhakov is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Media and Journalism Studies at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. His research focuses on social media, disinformation, propaganda, and surveillance, with a particular emphasis on Central Asia. In 2021, Rashid earned his PhD with a cum laud distinction from Erasmus University Rotterdam, where he studied the phenomenon of digital vigilantism. He co-hosts the podcast A Chat in the Yurt, which centers on Central Asian affairs, and runs a personal blog-plovism.com- featuring pop science and recipes.
Beytul Gorkem — Secretary
Beytul iis Head of Operations at Fight for Humanity and has a 15-year experience in the humanitarian field. Before joining Fight for Humanity, she worked as a Programme Manager and Operations Coordinator for 5 years. During her career she has led programmes in several countries from field assessments to evaluations. She holds a PhD degree in chemical sciences from Paris-Est University and worked in pharmaceutical industry before her humanitarian carrier. She speaks English, French and Turkish.
Koshoi Kyrgyzbek — Treasurer
Mr. Koshoi Kyrgyzbek uulu has over ten years of experience as a designer and video producer. He has a strong background in finance and has worked for media companies in Kyrgyzstan. He graduated from Kyrgyz National University with a Bachelor`s degree in economics. From 2017-2019, he worked in the Bishkek office of the Bulan Institute.
Cholpon Orozobekova — President
Cholpon Orozobekova is a conflict analyst and terrorism expert. She is the author of the book "Foreign Fighters and International Peace". Before joining the Bulan Institute, she worked with UN OHCHR, ISHR, and Foundation Au Coeur des Grottes in Geneva. Currently, she is a Senior Adviser on Counterterrorism Issues at the Nordic Center for Conflict Transformation. She was also an Executive-in-Residence Fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. Cholpon worked for 17 years in international media and her analyses appeared in the Diplomate Magazine, Jamestown Foundation, RFE/RL, and IWPR. Cholpon holds three Master’s degrees from Geneva-based public universities.