Velko Attanassov
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Velko Attanassoff, PhD is holding an honorary dual master degree – Master of Arts in National Security Studies (Middle East Regional Studies) and Master of Science in Defense Analysis (Low Intensity Conflict) from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, CA, USA.
Since 2012 he is Ph. D in International Relations of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridsky”.
He is Senior Research Associate with the Institute for Security and International Studies (ISIS) in Sofia, Bulgaria and also lectured “Contemporary Islam” in the International Security M. A. Program of the International Relations Department of the Law School at the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridsky”.
His research interests are in the field of Islamic activism and collective action (i.e., revolutions, rebellions, and social movements) in Muslim societies.
He worked on EU Multipart project and the Sofia University project “Post Conflict Rehabilitation – the building of security partnership and the EU Role”, and also on his PhD thesis, focused on religious activism in the Balkans and the consequences for the regional security. His important publications are: “Bosnia and Herzegovina—Islamic Revival, International Advocacy Networks and Islamic Terrorism” (Strategic Insights, Volume IV, Issue 5 (May 2005); “The Case of Afghanistan” in Cultural Awareness – New Educational Standards, New Security (Sofia University Press, 2008).
Velko Attanassoff served as the Deputy Head of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Beirut, Lebanon from 2011 till 2016.