Autobiography
Autobiography
For over three decades, I have dedicated my career to academia—not just as a professor but as a builder of business programs that shape the next generation of business leaders. My passion lies in teaching, research, and designing business curricula that bridge economic theory with real-world application, ensuring that students receive an education grounded in both intellectual depth and practical relevance.
For over three decades, I have dedicated my career to academia—not just as a professor but as a builder of business programs that shape the next generation of business leaders. My passion lies in teaching, research, and designing business curricula that bridge economic theory with real-world application, ensuring that students receive an education grounded in both intellectual depth and practical relevance.
My research extends far beyond traditional financial studies, delving into monetary and financial crises, political economy, organized crime, and the causes and resolutions of group conflicts. My first major research project explored how the core ideas and methods behind economic theories shape their explanations of real-world economic events. To test my ideas, I analyzed case studies on monetary and credit crises, drawing from the works of the founders of modern economics. I deliberately chose theorists from opposing political and philosophical traditions, setting up what I called a "clash of paradigms." My findings challenged the Postmodernist claim that rival theories in the natural and social sciences are fundamentally incommensurable simply because they emerge from different intellectual traditions.
My research extends far beyond traditional financial studies, delving into monetary and financial crises, political economy, organized crime, and the causes and resolutions of group conflicts. My first major research project explored how the core ideas and methods behind economic theories shape their explanations of real-world economic events. To test my ideas, I analyzed case studies on monetary and credit crises, drawing from the works of the founders of modern economics. I deliberately chose theorists from opposing political and philosophical traditions, setting up what I called a "clash of paradigms." My findings challenged the Postmodernist claim that rival theories in the natural and social sciences are fundamentally incommensurable simply because they emerge from different intellectual traditions.
As my adopted country, the United States, became entangled in wars across the Middle East—starting in Lebanon and later in Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria—I felt compelled to help foreign policymakers in the North Atlantic community understand the region’s complex social and historical dynamics. My goal was simple: to warn against misguided interventions that risked perpetuating cycles of instability and failure.
As my adopted country, the United States, became entangled in wars across the Middle East—starting in Lebanon and later in Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria—I felt compelled to help foreign policymakers in the North Atlantic community understand the region’s complex social and historical dynamics. My goal was simple: to warn against misguided interventions that risked perpetuating cycles of instability and failure.
Using game theory, I first analyzed why Lebanon’s civil war erupted and dragged on until the country became a failed state. From there, I turned my attention to Syria and Iraq—Syria being my birthplace—examining whether similar conditions could lead to their collapse. This led me to launch a major research project, The Unmaking of the Nation-States of the Middle East, during my fellowships at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University.
Using game theory, I first analyzed why Lebanon’s civil war erupted and dragged on until the country became a failed state. From there, I turned my attention to Syria and Iraq—Syria being my birthplace—examining whether similar conditions could lead to their collapse. This led me to launch a major research project, The Unmaking of the Nation-States of the Middle East, during my fellowships at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University.
What began as a focused inquiry soon expanded into an in-depth study of how religious identity groups across Greater Syria and Mesopotamia evolved. I traced their origins, uncovering how their founders—through political maneuvering—shaped them into the forces we see today. As I delved deeper, history took a dramatic turn. While teaching a Harvard course on Exclusionist Religious Identities and Civil Conflict in the Middle East, the Arab Spring erupted. In Syria, the uprisings quickly spiraled into a brutal sectarian war, mirroring the very dynamics I had been analyzing. The conflict escalated further with an influx of ISIS fighters from Iraq, culminating in the declaration of an Islamic Caliphate—the first since the fall of the Ottoman Caliphate in World War I.
What began as a focused inquiry soon expanded into an in-depth study of how religious identity groups across Greater Syria and Mesopotamia evolved. I traced their origins, uncovering how their founders—through political maneuvering—shaped them into the forces we see today. As I delved deeper, history took a dramatic turn. While teaching a Harvard course on Exclusionist Religious Identities and Civil Conflict in the Middle East, the Arab Spring erupted. In Syria, the uprisings quickly spiraled into a brutal sectarian war, mirroring the very dynamics I had been analyzing. The conflict escalated further with an influx of ISIS fighters from Iraq, culminating in the declaration of an Islamic Caliphate—the first since the fall of the Ottoman Caliphate in World War I.
This research culminated in my book, The Religious Roots of the Syrian Conflict, where I apply economic principles to unravel how political struggles morph into religious wars. By examining this transformation, I offer insights into one of today’s most urgent geopolitical dilemmas, shedding light on the deep-seated economic and social forces that fuel conflicts in the region.
This research culminated in my book, The Religious Roots of the Syrian Conflict, where I apply economic principles to unravel how political struggles morph into religious wars. By examining this transformation, I offer insights into one of today’s most urgent geopolitical dilemmas, shedding light on the deep-seated economic and social forces that fuel conflicts in the region.
Over the years, I have published in leading economic journals, contributing book reviews and academic papers that explore these intricate topics. My ideas have reached audiences across North America and Europe, where I have had the privilege of presenting my research at prestigious universities and professional conferences.
Over the years, I have published in leading economic journals, contributing book reviews and academic papers that explore these intricate topics. My ideas have reached audiences across North America and Europe, where I have had the privilege of presenting my research at prestigious universities and professional conferences.
My academic journey began at Northeastern University, where I earned my doctorate in economics in 1991 and lectured in Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and European Economic History prior to graduation. Since then, I have taught a wide array of subjects, including Financial Markets, Money & Banking, International Trade & Finance, and Comparative Economic Systems. My teaching career has taken me across the globe, from Harvard University and Babson College in the United States to Masaryk University in the Czech Republic.
My academic journey began at Northeastern University, where I earned my doctorate in economics in 1991 and lectured in Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and European Economic History prior to graduation. Since then, I have taught a wide array of subjects, including Financial Markets, Money & Banking, International Trade & Finance, and Comparative Economic Systems. My teaching career has taken me across the globe, from Harvard University and Babson College in the United States to Masaryk University in the Czech Republic.
At the heart of my work is a commitment to making economic theories accessible and relevant—whether in the classroom, in policy discussions, or in understanding global conflicts. My journey in academia is fueled by an insatiable curiosity and a firm belief that economic forces shape not only markets but also the very fabric of societies.
At the heart of my work is a commitment to making economic theories accessible and relevant—whether in the classroom, in policy discussions, or in understanding global conflicts. My journey in academia is fueled by an insatiable curiosity and a firm belief that economic forces shape not only markets but also the very fabric of societies.