Dr Reinoud Leenders is a Reader in International Relations and Middle East Studies in the War Studies Department at King’s College London. He obtained his PhD from the School of Oriental and African Studies from London University. His research interests and teaching focus on Middle East politics generally and Syria, Lebanon and Iraq in particular. His work deals with the political economy of corruption, authoritarian governance, refugee issues, and conflict. Reinoud authored several articles in academic journals and edited volumes and Spoils of Truce: Corruption and State Building in Post-War Lebanon (Cornell University Press 2012) and formerly worked for the International Crisis Group based in Beirut, and for the University of Amsterdam. He regularly gives advice on matters related to Syria and Lebanon to foreign policymakers, international NGOs, private companies and law firms.

Research Interests

• Middle East and North Africa: Authoritarian governance, corruption, social movements, armed conflict and refugee issues   
• Syria, Lebanon and Iraq

Teaching

BA: Conflict and Security in the Middle East and North Africa

MA: International Politics of the Middle East

PhD Supervision

Reinoud supervises PhD students working on issues close to his expertise and research interests.

Student office hours

Student office hours (first semester 2023-24): Wednesdays, 16-17 hrs. Please book appointment at least one day in advance via this form.

Click here to view Reinoud's personal website.

Publications

For a full list of current publications please refer to the Research Portal.