Mahmut Cengiz, Ph.D., and Asma Ul Hussna Durrani

Dr. Mahmut Cengiz is an Associate Professor and Research Faculty with Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) and the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. Dr. Cengiz has international field experience where he has delivered capacity building and training assistance to international partners in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. He also has been involved in research projects for the Brookings Institute, European Union, and various U.S. agencies. Dr. Cengiz regularly publishes books, articles and Op-eds. He is the author of six books, a number of articles, and book chapters regarding terrorism, organized crime, smuggling, terrorist financing, and trafficking issues. His 2019 book, “The Illicit Economy in Turkey: How Criminals, Terrorists, and the Syrian Conflict Fuel Underground Economies,” analyzes the role of criminals, money launderers, and corrupt politicians and discusses the involvement of ISIS and al-Qaida-affiliated groups in illicit economy. Dr. Cengiz holds two masters and two doctorate degrees from Turkey and the United States. His Turkish graduate degrees are in sociology. He has a master's degree from the School of International Service Program of American University and a Ph.D. from the School of Public Policy program of George Mason University. He is teaching Terrorism, American Security Policy and Narco-Terrorism courses at George Mason University. Asma Ul Hussna Durrani is a research analyst at Global Terrorism Trends and Analysis Center (GTTAC). She completed her B.A. and M.A. in Global Affairs at George Mason University. She has over three years of experience in tracking international terrorist activities for the State Department project. As an expert in counterterrorism, she analyzes the recent trends in terrorist tactics and targets in the Middle East and Asia. Her research focuses on Al Qaeda, the Islamic State, Afghan Taliban, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, and Baloch Separatist groups.