Christopher Phillips is a Professor of International Relations at Queen Mary University of London and an Associate Fellow at Chatham House, a leading think tank on international affairs. He was formerly Deputy Dean at Queen Mary Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. He regularly consults private companies, government agencies, NGOs, and media outlets on geopolitics, political risk and broader themes within the Middle East and beyond. He has authored three books and one edited volume, including the acclaimed 'The Battle for Syria: International Rivalry in the New Middle East', which has sold over 15,000 copies and has been updated with new editions in 2018 and 2020. His latest book, 'Battleground: 10 conflicts that explain the new Middle East', was published by Yale University Press in 2024. He regularly publishes academic articles, op-eds, and reports. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and insights with a wider audience, and has co-curated a public exhibition on Syria at the Imperial War Museum, as well as appearing on various TV and radio programmes.