My CV

Name: Hichem Karoui

Nationality: French (Tunisian Born)

Profession: Social Scientist, Researcher, Political Analyst, and Consultant.

Highest Degree: PhD from The Sorbonne University (Paris III).

Discipline: Sociology.

Research Interests: Social theory. Sociology of Diplomacy and International Relations.

Elites, Conflicts and Power Building. Islam. China, USA, Russia. Arab World.

Languages used at work: Arabic, French, and English.

Experience

Visiting Researcher at CARC Shanghai International Studies University (Permanent).

2026: Political Editor at “Réalités” magazine (Tunisia).

2025: Free-lance Columnist.

2023: Research Director and Editor at Global East-West For Studies and Publishing (London).

2019- 2023: Researcher and Consultant for “Underscore Media.” (Based in the UK).

January 2020 – October 2022: Executive Director of the Gulf Futures Center (London).

From 2017 : Non-resident Senior Fellow at China-Arab Research Center For Reform and Development(CARC), Shanghai University for International Studies. (Permanent).

Non-resident Senior Fellow and academic adviser for :

Center for International Economic Cooperation (Beijing),
Center for China and Globalization, (Beijing),
Sino-European Center, (Hangzhou).

2013 – 2019: Consultant at the Diplomatic Institute, Doha. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar.

2011-2013: Associate Researcher, Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies (Doha), Qatar.

2009 – 2011: Researcher at the Sorbonne University’s Centre for Contemporary Oriental Studies (Paris 3.)

Editor of a trilingual peer-reviewed academic journal in cooperation with the Director of the Centre and several research professors in France and abroad. ( 6 quarterly issues were published): Middle East Studies. ISSN: 2109-9618.

Journalism

From Sept. 2025: Columnist for London-based Al Arab Daily.

1980 – 2019: Journalist, commentator, Editor-in-Chief, political analyst, and daily or weekly columnist (Arabic and English).

Workplaces: Al-Arab newspaper (London, 1993 until 2007), and several media outlets in the Arab world, Europe, the United States, and China, such as: “Beijing Review” (Beijing), CNTV and CGTN (Beijing), “Al-Sharq Al-Awsat” newspaper (London), ” Awan” (Kuwait), The Gulf Today (Sharjah, UAE), Arab News, Al Madina ( KSA), Middle East Intelligence Bulletin (New York, USA), Media Monitors Network (California), Palestine Chronicle (Seattle), Middle East Online (London). Realites magazine, Al-Sahafa newspaper, and Al-Amal newspaper (Tunisia). Al-Mouqif al-Arabi, Alliwa and As-Safir (Beirut).

Academic degrees

PhD in Sociology, Sorbonne University (Paris 3). Very honourable. 2009.
MA in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Studies, Sorbonne University (Paris 3), Very Good. 2005.
Maitrise (Master 1) in English Language, Literature and Civilisation, Sorbonne University (Paris 3). Very Good. 2005.
Maitrise (Master 1) in Arabic Language, Literature and Civilisation from the Sorbonne University (Paris 3). Very Good. 2004.

Teaching Qualifications

(From the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, in France)

2010: Senior lecturer (associate professor: Maitre de conference) in section 19: sociology.

2011: Senior lecturer (associate professor: Maitre de conference) in section 15: Arabic studies.

Scholarly Publications:

(1) Author or co-author of the following books:

Beyond Petrodollars: Forging The Saudi-China Century. Global East-West For Studies & Publishing (2026).
Sino-Iranian Nexus: Forging A Multipolar Middle East. Global East-West For Studies & Publishing (2026).
Issues in Contemporary Diplomacy (In Arabic, English and French) in collaboration with the Diplomatic Institute of Qatar (MOFA), prefaced by Amb. Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Hurr (2025-2026): The Art of Diplomacy; Diplomacy and Human Rights; Track II Diplomacy.
The Abraham Accords and the Marginalisation of the Palestinians: A Critical Analysis Of A Toxic Effect. (April 2026).
The Sociology of International Relations: Power, Culture and Change. Global East-West, London, 2025.
La sociologie des relations internationales: pouvoir, culture et changement. London. 2025.
Tribal Histories and Social Structures in the Gulf. . Global East-West. London. 2025.
Shadows of Empire: Colonial Legacies and the Birth of Modern Gulf States. Global East-West. London. 2025.
Cultural Exchange And Influence of The Gulf. Global East-West. London. 2025.
Tech Ambassadors: Bridging Governments and Silicon Valley. Global East-West 2024.
Navigating Uncertainty: The Future of Global Governance and Influence. Global East-West 2024.
Researching Society: An Introduction To Sociological Method. Global East-West 2024.
What Is Society? A Course Textbook. Global East-West 2024.
What Is Sociology About? Key Concepts for Students and Teachers. Global East-West 2024.
The Power Of Small States: Diplomacy In The Global Arena. Global East-West 2024.
France’s Arab Policy: From De Gaulle to Macron. Global East-West (London: 2024).
Breaking the Veil: Unmasking Stigma Against Islam in the West. Global East-West. (London: 2024).
The Evolution of Qatari Foreign Policy. Global East-West (London: 2024).
The French Sociological Tradition: Essential Thinkers and Theories. Global East-West (London: 2024).
About Albert Camus: The Man Behind the Myth. Global East-West (London: 2024).
De la Revolution au Renouveau. Global East-West(London: 2024).
Angry Africa: A Study on Post-Colonialism and How “France-Afrique” Policy Led to Anti-French Coups. Global East-West (London: 2024).
The Invisible Hand: Uncovering the Deep State’s Control Over Government. Global East-West (London: 2024).
The Right To Resist: Zionism and Fascism. Global East-West (London: 2023).
Children of Gaza: Requiem For a Civilisation In Decline. Global East-West (London: 2023).
I Have The Time. “Questions” series. Publisher: Global East-West (London 2023).
Treatise On Self-Improvement: Unlock Your Potential. “Questions” series. Publisher: Global East-West (London 2023).
What is Happiness? An Essay on the Infinite Ways to Find Lasting Joy. “Questions” series. Publisher: Global East-West (London 2023).
Leadership’s Involvement In Institutional Excellence: Empowerment, Anticipation, Creativity. Noon Publishing (Paris 2020). Ebook. Arabic.
The Apparent Chinese Paradox. Chapter in the collective book “The Syrian Crisis.” Springer (2020).
Geopolitical Shifts in the Triangle: The United States, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and China. Chapter in the collective book: “Handbook On China and Globalization . ” Edward Elgar House ( London: 2019), in collaboration with the Center for China and Globalization, Beijing.
Negotiation and Bargaining. Noon Publishing (Paris: 2018). Ebook. Arabic.
Inventing The Middle East. Noon Publishing (Paris: 2018 ). Ebook. Arabic.
S. Policy and the Arab-Muslim World: The Understanding Abyss. Noon Publishing (Paris: 2018 ). Ebook. Arabic.
On China And the Arabs. With Dr Gafar Karar Ahmed. Noon Publishing (Paris: 2018 ).
Chatting With My Chinese Friend, KRPC Publications (Paris: 2016).
Conservative Revolution and Other Essays, KRPC/Middle East Studies, Paris (Paris: 2015).
Diplomacy and Conflict: Policy Analyses. Middle-East-Studies/KRPC, (Paris: 2015 ).
Policy Analyses: 2002-2003 (Arabic) Volume 1. KRPC (Paris: 2015).
The Political Algebra of Global Value Change: General Models and Implications for the Muslim World. With Arno Tausch, and Almas Heshmati. Nova Science (New York: 2014).
Middle East Studies in the USA after 9/11: Shaping American Perceptions. Nama Centre for Research and Studies (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: 2013). Arabic.
S.- Saudi Love-Hate Story. A Middle East Studies Book. Charleston, S.C. USA. (2013).
Power Revolving Doors: The Shaping of American Perception of Middle East Studies. A Middle East Studies Book. (Charleston, S.C. USA. )
L’administration Bush au Moyen-Orient. (French). Middle East Books ( Paris: 2013).
Arab Spring, The New Middle East in the Making. CS/A Middle East Studies Book. (Charleston, S.C. 2012).
The Bush II Years in the Middle East (2000-2008) A case study in the sociology of international relations. Middle East Books (Paris – South Carolina: 2012).
Diplomacy versus Transparency and Risk Society. Chapter in a collective book: The WikiLeaks Phenomenon: Media and Politics Controversy Between the Virtual and the Real. Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies. (Doha-Beirut: 2012) . Arabic.
Post-Kemalist Politics in Turkey. Chapter in a collective book: The Arabs and Turkey: Present Challenges and Future Bets. The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies (Doha-Beirut: 2012). Arabic.
Muslims: Nightmare or Strength for Europe? With Arnaud Tausch. L’Harmattan (Paris: 2011). French.
Where is Saudi Arabia Headed? (French), L’Harmattan (Paris: 2006).
Post – Saddam in Iraq, (French), L’Harmattan (Paris: 2005 ).
The Eagle and the Borders: Prolegomenon to a Critique of the Arab Political Reality. Al-Nawras publishing (Tunisia: 1989). Arabic.
International Balance From Cold War to Détente. Addar Al-Arabiyya (Tunisia: 1985). Arabic.

(2) Senior Researcher and Editor of the following books:

Masters of Realpolitik, by Gew Intelligence Unit. Publisher: Global East-West, London, 2025.
Global Cultural Shifts, by GEW Social Sciences Group. Publisher: ‎ Global East-West (London, December 11, 2024).
Weapons, Technology and Policy in the GCC States: Defending Development. GEW Intelligence Unit (Auteur). Global East-West (London: 2024).
Strength and Strategy: Assessing Gulf Armies’ Efficiency on the Field. GEW Intelligence Unit (Auteur) Global East-West (London: 2024).
Emirati Defence Evolution: From Imports to Autonomy. GEW Intelligence Unit (Auteur) Global East-West (London: 2024).
Gulf Ideological Dynamics: Exploring the Quest for Unity and Discord. GEW Reports and Analyses Team (Auteur). Global East-West (London: 2024).
The Evolution Of Saudi Diplomacy Since 1945. GEW Intelligence Unit (Auteur) Global East-West (London: 2024).
Guardians of the Gulf: A Deep Dive into the GCC Defence Industry. GEW Intelligence Unit (Auteur) Global East-West (London: 2024).
Strait of Tensions: The Geopolitical Turmoil of Bab el-Mandeb. GEW Reports and Analyses Team (Auteur). Global East-West (London: 2024).
Shifting Sands: Gulf Countries, BRICS, and the New World Order. GEW Intelligence Unit (Auteur). Global East-West (London: 2024).
Saudi Arabia and Israel: The Sinful Proximity. GEW Intelligence Unit (Auteur). Global East-West (London: 2024).
Navigating Turbulence: Conflict Resolution Initiatives In The Gulf And Beyond. GEW Reports and Analyses Team (Auteur). Global East-West (London: 2024).
The Evolution Of UAE Foreign Policy: Principles, Components And Goals. GEW Intelligence Unit (Auteur) Global East-West (London: 2024).
International Relations: China Russia the US and the Future of Geopolitics. GEW Intelligence Unit (Auteur) Global East-West (London: 2024).
World On The Brink: G7 Vs. BRICS In The Quest For Dominance. GEW Intelligence Unit (Auteur) Global East-West (London: 2024).
From Poverty To Power: China’s Economic Rise And America’s Decline. GEW Intelligence Unit (Auteur) Global East-West (London: 2024).
Geopolitical Chess: The West’s Desperation And Russia’s Strategic Response. GEW Intelligence Unit (Auteur) Global East-West (London: 2024).
La France À L’épreuve. Gew Sciences Sociales. Global East-West (London: 2024).
La résistance française contre l’occupation nazie. Équipe Rapports et Analyses du GEW (Author). Global East-West (London: 2024).
Évolution De L’éducation En France. Équipe Rapports et Analyses du GEW (Author). Global East-West (London: 2024).
What Do You Know About Karl Marx? GEW Social Sciences and Humanities Team Global East-West (London: 2024).
What Do You Know About Nietzsche? GEW Social Sciences and Humanities Team Global East-West(London: 2024).
Israel’s Enduring Predicament: The Roads That Lead Nowhere. GEW Intelligence Unit (Auteur) Global East-West (London: 2023).

(3): Sample articles and academic research papers

“Digression On the Margin of Seven Pillars of Wisdom: T.E. Lawrence and the Arab Revolt.” The Gulf Futures Center (GFC), London, August 21, 2020.
“Overcoming the Darkness of Ottoman Rule: T.E. Lawrence and the Arab Revolution.” The Gulf Futures Center (GFC), London, June 5, 2020.
ISIS Terrorists in Syria Receiving US Supplies. The Gulf Futures Center (GFC), London. July 27, 2020.
“The need to reflect positively on the US-China rising tension/Post-Covid 19 World.” The Gulf Futures Center (GFC), London. May 22, 2020.
US Strategy and the Iranian Issue (3). Bogged Down with Sanctions and Covid-19? The Gulf Futures Center (GFC), London. March 21, 2020.
US Strategy and the Iranian Issue (2). “WAR AS A BLUFF”. The Gulf Futures Center (GFC), London. March 8, 2020.
US Strategy and the Iranian Issue (1). “Control or Destroy”. The Gulf Futures Center (GFC), London. February 28, 2020.
“Politics and business under the reign of Sultan Haitham Al Said.” The Gulf Futures Center (GFC), London. March 2021.
“Iran, Turkey and Al-Shabaab militancy in Somalia.” (Arabic)The Gulf Futures Center (GFC), London. March 2021.
” Ismail Qaani’s complex mission” (Arabic). The Gulf Futures Center (GFC), London. February 2021.
“US Tactics to Hold Back China in Africa.” The Gulf Futures Center (GFC), London. February 2021.
“The US-Chinese conflict over Bab al-Mandab” (Arabic). The Gulf Futures Center (GFC), London. 2021.
“Cold War in Somalia. Gulf States Game: Security and Influence.” The Gulf Futures Center (GFC), London. February 2020.
“The Mines of Sudan: When the Whole World Poured in Khartoum.” The Gulf Futures Center (GFC) London. February 2020.
“Saudi Arabia Reforms According to Western Opinion Polls.” The Gulf Futures Center (GFC) London. 2020 (Arabic).
“France-Iran-USA: Cooperation and Confrontation.” The Gulf Futures Center (GFC) London. Dec.2017-Jan. 2018.
“Complex Triple Crisis. Iran and the Arabian Gulf: No War and No Peace!” The Gulf Futures Center (GFC) London. November 28, 2017.
” Establishing the China-GCC Free Trade Area: Obstacles, Challenges, and Open Possibilities,” Journal of Contemporary Chinese Studies: The Yangtze Review / Sino Media (San Francisco) Issue 2. Autumn 2014.
“Arab Political Thought”. An entry contribution to The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Political Thought, September 2014.
” En sommes-nous encore à la période de la capitulation tranquille? (Are We Still in The Age of Silent Surrender?)?” With A. Tausch, A. Heshmati, P. Jourdon. Entelequia: Revista Interdisciplinar, University of Barcelona ( Spain ), 2013.
” Sources of influence in US Foreign Policy,” The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, Doha, Qatar, 2012. (Arabic).
“Middle East Studies in the United States after September 11.” The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, Doha, Qatar, 2012. (Arabic).
” Military expenses in the Maghreb countries.” The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, Doha, Qatar, 2011. (Arabic).
“The Arab Lobby: The Invisible Alliance Undermining America’s Interests in the Middle East.” Critical review, in Siyasat Arabiya, Doha. 2013. (Arabic).
“Inventing Democracy in the Arab World: Some Intersections with Post-Communist Experiences in Central Europe.” The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, Doha, Qatar, 2012. (Arabic).
” Financing US presidential election campaigns and foreign policy”. The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, Doha, Qatar, 2012. (Arabic).
“The security problems posed to the Arab countries by Transnational Radical Organisations and Movements.” The first annual conference of political and strategic studies Centres in the Arab world. Doha, December 2012. (Arabic).
“The Greater Middle East: Fact or Invention?” The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, Doha, Qatar, 2012. Arabic.
“The Yemeni Revolution: Replacing Ali Abdullah Saleh, or Replacing Obsolete Institutions?” Arab Center For Research and Policy Studies, Doha – Case Analysis Series, May 2011.
“From occupation to sovereignty: Iraq between two eras ” (French ). 2011. Eurorient journal, N.32 (Paris).
“Deviance and Dissent: A Sociological Approach to Terrorism. Entelequia. Revista Interdisciplinar, University of Barcelona ( Spain ), Vol. 12, pp. 27-40, Fall 2010.
“Yemen: The Law of the Tribesmen.” 2010. Journal of Alternative Perspectives in the Social Sciences. International Academy of Social Sciences (United States).
” European Islam in Social Sciences” (Arabic). Asbar Center for Studies, Research and Communications, the monthly issue, January 2010. (Saudi Arabia).
“Who are the Islamist activists in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?” (Qui sont les islamistes saoudiens? ) 2006. European Journal of Geopolitics, Outre-Terre (Paris).
“Post-War Iraq”. Opinions Journal. Gulf Research Center (Saudi Arabia).
“The UN between Peace and Security quest and great powers manoeuvres.”(Arabic) Etudes internationales (Association des études internationales, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tunis) N° 20, Octobre 1986, pp.139-149.

(4): Papers published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Middle Eastern Studies (Paris)

“Discursive Practices, Science, Politics and the Truth: Applied to MENA Region” (Pratiques discursives, Science, Politique et Vérité: Application Sur la Région MOAN). With Faten Karoui-Bouchoucha – Middle East Studies (sciences sociales et humaines)Volume 2, n°4. 2011.
“Israel and Palestine,” by Avi Shlaim.” Book-review Essay: 2011: Volume II, No. 4.
” The Conservative Revolt Against America: The Bush Legacy.” 2010. Volume One, Issue 3.
“Is Conservatism Dead?” A Review of Sam Tannhaus’ Book. 2010: Volume 1, Issue 3.
“On the Evaluation of Pakistani Schools by the Brookings Institution .” 2010, volume one, Issue 2.
“The Big Shift: How September 11 Has Advanced the Agenda of the Neo-Conservatives and Boosted the Support to Israel’s Right-Wing.” Middle East Studies, 2010: Volume 1, Issue 2.

(5) Samples on Social Sciences Research Network

(Most have already been published before)

“What every politician in America and the Western world should know about the Arab and Islamic world” (2008).
“The French Paradox: Evaluation of the Transformations of the Political and Social Landscape in France” (2007).
“Money and Terror: Is There an End to America’s Oil Addiction?” (2007)
“Global trends in Gulf and Middle East population evolution” (2006).
“Oil and Security in the Twenty-First Century” (2006).
“The Real Energy Debate, When Oil Ends” (2006).
“Did September 11th introduce a paradigmatic shift in the social sciences’ approach to Islam and the West?” (2006)
“Islamic Trends and American Foreign Policy” (2006).

(6) International conferences and workshops (examples)

“Impact of US-Russia Rivalry in the Horn of Africa,” Gulf Research Meeting, Cambridge, July 2023.
“Engaging and Repelling Elements in Sino-Arab Relations,” Seminar of the Chinese Arab Studies Center for Reform and Development, Shanghai International Studies University, 2020.
“The Chinese Paradox: Non-Interference in Middle East Conflicts and Support for Governments! The Case of Syria. 9th Annual Gulf Research Meeting (GRM). Cambridge, August, Cambridge, 2018.
“Bashing Qatar and Saudi Arabia: Western narrative and perception of Islamism issues.”
8th Annual Gulf Research Meeting (GRM). Cambridge, August 2017.
” Diplomacy Versus the revolution of “transparent society” and “risk society. Wikileaks: international and regional implications.” Open Sources and the Leaked American Diplomatic Cables. Beirut, Lebanon. March 04, 2011. Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies.
“Post-Kemalist Politics in Turkey.” The Arabs and Turkey: Challenges of the Present and the Outlook for the Future. Doha, Qatar. May 18, 2011.”
The Struggle For Preponderance in the Gulf Region and the Iranian Influence in Iraq.” Gulf Meeting. July 2011. Cambridge University.
“Transnational Radical Organisations and Movements And the security problems posed to the Arab countries.” The first annual conference of political and strategic studies Centres in the Arab world. Doha, December 2012.
“The Arab Spring. Are there new cultural values?” The Arab Spring One Year Later: Georgetown University-Qatar Workshop, April 2012.

Participation in Conferences as a member of the Organising Team:

The Palestinian September: Between the Oslo Track and Reverting to International Institutions. Doha, Qatar. September 10, 2011.
Arabs and the Horn of Africa: the Dialectic of Regional Proximity and Affiliation. Doha, Qatar. November 27, 2011.
The Arab Revolutions and Democracy: The Roots of the Sectarian Divide and the Means to Address It. Doha, Qatar. January 28, 2012.
Annual Conference for Social Sciences and Humanities. Doha, Qatar. March 24, 2012.
The Yemeni Revolution: Historical Background, Local Specificities, and Future prospects. Doha, Qatar. February 18, 2012.
Islamists and Democratic Governance: Experiences and Future Directions, Doha, Qatar, October 6 and 7, 2012.
The Egyptian constitution and the transition to democracy. ACRPS, Doha, November 2012.
Annual Conference of Strategic and Policy Studies Research Centers in the Arab World. December 15 to 17, 2012, Doha, Qatar.

Hichem Karoui's Papers

أوراق: د. هشام القروي