Diba Nigar Göksel

• Research and Analysis: Conducts research, writes, and advocates for policy recommendations on various domestic security challenges and regional conflicts. Key topics have included the PKK conflict, ISIS returnees, refugee and migration challenges, the Cyprus problem, Turkey-Greece relations, Turkey's policies towards the Caucasus, Libya intervention, engagement in the Horn of Africa, incursions into Syria, and Ankara's Russia-West balancing act.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Enhances understanding of Turkey's security and foreign policy among a diverse group of stakeholders, including donors, senior Western officials, and journalists.
• Strategy Development: Collaborates with ICG senior management and program colleagues to design and implement strategies and workplans aimed at maximizing policy impact to contribute to de-escalation, peace, and stability.
• Team Management: Hires and supervises Turkey/Cyprus Project staff and consultants. Ensures legal compliance and oversees financial operations of the Istanbul office. Manages Crisis Group's access to Ankara decision-makers.

• Content Planning and Editorial Leadership: Established the editorial line of the journal. Shaped the content of each issue by recruiting authors, conducting interviews with heads of state and foreign ministers, and writing editorials. Maneuvered highly sensitive political topics with balance and objectivity.
• Strategic Development: Managed the strategic development of the journal, including supervising operations, overseeing human resources, marketing, and media relations.
• Project Management: Managed projects funded by NATO, the EU Commission, German foundations, and the Black Sea Trust, ensuring successful implementation and reporting.
• Event Coordination: Designed and moderated regular roundtable discussions featuring prominent figures such as Madeleine Albright, Carl Bildt, and Anthony Giddens. Designed, facilitated, and participated in cutting-edge rapprochement workshops and dialogues involving Turkey and the South Caucasus.
• Authorship and Publications: Wrote a substantial number of articles in prominent platforms such as the New York Times, Al Jazeera, and the German Marshall Fund. Covered a wide array of topics related to Turkey's domestic and foreign policies, including gender politics, democratization, conflicts in the South Caucasus, and EU integration.

Research and Analysis:

• Conducted literature and field research in various locations including Turkey (Istanbul, Van, Diyarbakir, Mardin, Kayseri, Ankara), Georgia (Tbilisi, Batumi), Azerbaijan (Baku, Sheki), and Armenia (Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Karahunj).
• Wrote analytical papers on topics such as women’s and LGBT rights in Turkey and Azerbaijan, Turkey-Armenia bilateral relations, EU enlargement and integration policies, and visa liberalization.

Advocacy and Communication:

• Advocated for ESI (European Stability Initiative) analysis in Turkey through media engagements and interactions with decision-makers.

Capacity Building:

• Provided capacity-building training for young professionals in the Caucasus from 2007 to 2010 and in Tunisia in March 2011.