Ali Nejat is an Iranian writer and researcher specializing in MENA affairs. Nejat is a graduate of regional studies from Allameh Tabatabai University and was formerly the Editor-in-Chief of the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies in Tehran. His works and writings have appeared in both Iranian and foreign publications including Al Sharq Forum among others. Mohammad Hashemi is a journalist, researcher and media consultant based in Tehran. Formerly he was the chief editor and producer at PressTV website, the Iranian state-owned English news, and documentary network (2015-2019). He was also a political editor at the Financial Tribune (2014-2015) and the Tehran Times (2010-2014). Hashemi is an alumnus of the ‘Heinz- Kühn Foundation’ in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. His work and commentary have been featured in Al Jazeera, Inside Arabia, the Middle East Eye, The Wire as well as Iranian media outlets, among others.