Marwan Bishara

Marwan Bishara is an Israeli Arab author, political analyst and public intellectual widely recognised as one of the Arab world’s leading voices on Middle Eastern politics and international affairs. As a senior political analyst for Al Jazeera English, Marwan provides in-depth commentary on geopolitical developments across the Middle East, global diplomacy and international power dynamics. With more than three decades of experience in journalism, academia and political analysis, Marwan is known for translating complex regional conflicts and global strategic trends into accessible insights for international audiences. His extensive media presence and scholarly expertise have established him as a respected speaker on geopolitics, international relations and Middle Eastern affairs.

Marwan was born in Nazareth into a Christian Arab family and developed an early interest in politics, history and international affairs. He pursued an academic career in political sociology and strategic studies, earning a PhD from École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in 2005. Alongside his doctoral research, Marwan lectured in International Relations at the American University of Paris and conducted research at the Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies. During this period, he also taught at Parsons School of Design in Paris, combining academic research with teaching roles that explored international politics, diplomacy and global governance.

Before joining Al Jazeera English in 2007, Marwan worked as a senior political analyst for Abu Dhabi TV, developing a reputation as a trusted commentator on Middle Eastern diplomacy and strategic affairs. At Al Jazeera, he became one of the network’s most recognisable voices on global politics. Between 2009 and 2016, Marwan edited and hosted the network’s flagship programme Empire, interviewing world leaders, policymakers and intellectuals about the major geopolitical issues shaping the international order. His work as a columnist and analyst has appeared in leading international publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Le Monde, with articles written in English, Arabic, Hebrew, and French.

Marwan’s academic engagement continues alongside his media career. In 2017 and 2018, he joined the University of Oxford as an academic visitor at St Antony’s College, researching patron-client relations between the United States and the Middle East. He has also served on several international advisory boards, including the Jerusalem Fund and the World Council of Churches, and currently sits on the Board of Trustees of the Galilee Foundation in the United Kingdom. As the author of books including 'The Invisible Arab and Palestine Israel: Peace or Apartheid', Marwan brings a uniquely informed perspective on diplomacy, power and conflict in the modern Middle East, making him a compelling speaker for audiences seeking a deeper understanding of global politics.