Cinzia Bianco is an analyst and researcher focused on the international relations and on the politics and security of the Gulf region. After obtaining a Master’s degree in Middle East and Mediterranean Studies from King’s College London, she carried on a Research Fellowship in Oman, Qatar, U.A.E., and Kuwait for the European Commission’s Sharaka project. She is currently an analyst for the geopolitical consultancy Gulf State Analytics and a regulator contributor to several think tanks and journals including the NATO Defense College Foundation, Lobelog, the Middle East Institute, Limes and TRENDS Research and Advisory (Abu Dhabi). She is a PhD candidate in Middle East Politics at the University of Exeter (UK). She tweets at @Cinzia_Bianco