Wael Alwani
I am an expert in artificial intelligence and financial crime analysis, with more than fourteen years of professional experience in Canada and the Middle East. I have worked with organizations including Deloitte and TD Bank. My work includes developing AI strategies and projects using agentic AI, generative AI, OCR, and OSINT, as well as building graph technologies, applying social network analysis, and developing machine-learning models.
I am a co-founder of the Observatory of Political and Economic Networks, a Canadian nonprofit organization focused on tracking and analyzing political and economic networks in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq.
I have co-authored multiple data-driven research reports on key issues affecting Syria, including sanctions, narcotics, and crony capitalism. I have also translated a number of articles and books on self-organization, self-management, and systems thinking.
I hold a master’s degree from KAUST and a B.Sc. from KFUPM in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on artificial intelligence and computer engineering.
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.