Dr Tobias Borck
Senior Research Fellow, Middle East SecurityInternational SecurityBiography
Tobias Borck is Senior Research Fellow for Middle East Security Studies at the International Security Studies department at RUSI. His main research interests include the international relations of the Middle East, and specifically the foreign, defence and security policies of Arab states, particularly the Gulf monarchies, as well as European – especially German and British – engagement with the Middle East. He also co-leads the development and delivery of the RUSI Leadership Centre’s programme of executive education training courses, including for diplomats, military personnel, and security professionals from the Middle East and beyond.
Before joining RUSI as a Research Fellow, Tobias has worked with the Institute as an Associate Fellow, for example helping to run in-person and online training courses since 2015. He has also worked as an independent analyst and consultant, contributing to projects related to the politics and international relations of the Gulf monarchies, the post-2011 political and security developments in North Africa (especially Libya), and the evolution and propaganda narratives of extremist groups in the Middle East.
Tobias holds a PhD in Middle East Politics at the University Exeter. His thesis examines the foreign policies of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from 2011-2020, with a particular focus on the three states’ conceptions of regional stability. He also holds degrees in Arabic and Middle East Studies (BA) and Applied Security Strategy (MA) from the University of Exeter, and is an alumnus of the German National Academic Foundation. He has spent time studying and working in Egypt, Morocco and Jordan and has travelled extensively in the region. He speaks German and English, and is proficient in Arabic.