Dr. Sead Turčalo is Dean of the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Sarajevo and an expert in geopolitics, international security, and conflict studies. He has authored five books and over 30 scholarly articles, with recent works focusing on the geopolitical and security dynamics of the Western Balkans and the influence of external actors. He has led and contributed to major international research projects, including the EU-funded Horizon 2020 project PAVE (2019–2023) and Horizon Europe project Re-Engage (2024–2027). His research has shaped strategic policy discussions on security, extremism, and foreign influence in Southeast Europe. Dr. Turčalo is Vice President of the Atlantic Initiative and serves on editorial boards of journals such as Journal of Regional Security and Democracy and Security in Southeast Europe. As an external expert, he has contributed to OSCE and IOM policy initiatives on counterterrorism and security. In 2024, he participated in the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), organized by the U.S. Department of State. As a regular speaker at international conferences and policy forums, he is widely acknowledged for his expertise in regional security and strategic issues.