Charles Lister
I am a Senior Fellow and Director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute, focusing on Syria, terrorism, and insurgency across the Levant. My work also examines regional security dynamics and the evolution of jihadist movements, including al-Qaeda and ISIS. I have served as a consultant to the UN’s International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria, and as an expert witness and advisor on counterterrorism to US, European, and Australian authorities.
At MEI, I lead the Resolving the Detainee Crisis project with ICSR and the Syria Strategy Project with the Atlantic Council and the European Institute of Peace, producing the 2025 report Reimagining Syria. Previously, I was a Visiting Fellow at Brookings Doha and led engagement with more than 100 Syrian armed opposition groups. I hold an MA (Hons) in International Relations from the University of St. Andrews.
Who Are We ?
Karam Shaar Advisory is a limited-liability consulting company registered in Syria and New Zealand. We focus on Syria’s economy, with expertise covering macroeconomics, market and sector assessments, due diligence, compliance and sanctions, financial and banking activities, energy studies, aid and development, reconstruction, data analysis, and feasibility and investment-opportunity studies. Our services are tailored to meet the needs of international organizations, governments, businesses, donors, and NGOs. Led by Dr. Karam Shaar, who has over a decade of experience in the field, the stellar team has in-depth and unparalleled knowledge of the Syrian context, with skills ranging from economic research to data analysis, field assessment, KYC, OSINT, programming, and AI-driven analytics. We know how to inform decision-making and produce quality research recognized and published by world-leading think tanks and media outlets. With a team spanning Syria, Türkiye, Lebanon, New Zealand, the United States, France, Italy, and Germany, we never lose the connection to the ground and understand first-hand the needs of our clients inside and outside Syria.