Dr. Ameneh Mehvar is ACLED’s Middle East Senior Analyst. In this role, she leads analysis on regional conflicts and provides expertise to ensure the accuracy of ACLED’s data coverage, while also supporting the organization’s engagement with external partners and the media.
Ameneh has expertise in Middle East security and foreign policy, with a focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Persian Gulf security dynamics. Previously, she worked as a political risk consultant in the private sector and has also gained experience in the public sector. Additionally, she has taught and conducted academic research.
Ameneh holds a master’s degree in Middle East and Central Asian Security Studies and a PhD in International Relations from the University of St Andrews, Scotland.
Spoken languages: English, Persian and German Timezone: Central European Time - CET
The ceasefire in Gaza held in October as low-level violence continued, while the ceasefire in Lebanon approached one year under strain, and settler violence against olive harvesters in the West Bank reached a record high.
Military pressure in Gaza City escalated as a ceasefire outline emerged, renewed confrontations broke out between government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces in northern Syria, and an uptick of Houthi attacks in Israel prompted Israel’s deadly retaliation this past month
A look at Israel’s campaign to degrade Hamas since March and what remains of the group’s strength today, along with Israel’s weaponization of aid and claims of systematic aid diversion by Hamas.
Israel’s recent attempted assassination of Hamas’ top political leader in Qatar has sparked widespread condemnation from the international community.
Israeli activity in Gaza declined amid daily pauses, Iraq saw the most serious intra-Kurdish confrontation since 2003 ahead of elections, protests in Israel failed to shift war policy, and Israeli strikes killed the Houthi prime minister in Yemen.
In this Q&A, ACLED Senior Analyst Dr. Ameneh Mehvar breaks down how the Israel-Iran conflict unfolded, what it achieved, and what the current ceasefire might mean for the future.
A look at Israel's Operation Iron Wall in the West Bank.
Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, and Yemen face significant unrest and conflict escalation.
Watch the recorded webinar held on 29 May 2025 for in-depth analysis of these developments, the evolving strategies of Palestinian armed groups, and the political dynamics driving the escalation — followed by a Q&A.
