About the authors

Jos Meester – Senior Research Fellow at the Clingendael Institute’s Conflict Research Unit.

Jos’s work focuses on the functioning of the private sector in conflict-affected environments. He is in particular interested in supply chains spanning across political divisions, as well as the close relationship of political and private-sector elites and its consequences for the stability of political power structures. He previously worked as a management consultant on supply chain management and market assessments in developed and developing economies.

Guido Lanfranchi – Research Fellow at the Clingendael Institute’s Conflict Research Unit.

Guido’s research interests revolve around the interplay between economic, political and security dynamics. His work focuses on the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, with a view on the role of the European Union in these regions. Before his experience at Clingendael, Guido interned at the Council of the EU, where he worked on EU-Africa relations.

Photo credits

© Reuters. A crew member of Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Valsamitis watches for loading wheat for Kenya and Ethiopia amid Russia's attack on Ukraine in a seaport of the Chornomorsk town, Ukraine 18 February 2023.