About Us

Natacha Danon is the Programs & Admin Manager at Syria Direct. She has worked as a researcher on Syria for over 8 years in the media, humanitarian, and stabilization sectors. She holds a Master’s degree in International Security from Sciences Po and a Bachelor’s degree in Politics from Bates College. Her areas of focus include governance, civil society, and humanitarian affairs. 

Ammar Hamou is the Arabic Editor at Syria Direct. Originally from Eastern Ghouta, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media from Arab Open University, and has participated in journalism trainings in the United States, Europe and Jordan. He has worked for Syria Direct since 2013 and makes regular appearances on Syria TV, Al Araby TV, and Radio Orient. In addition to his extensive, award-winning reporting, Ammar has published in-depth studies on the role of Russia in the Syrian conflict, and the UN response in Syria.

Mateo Nelson is the English Editor at Syria Direct. He is a journalist and Arabic-to-English translator focused on Syria since 2015. He holds a joint Master’s degree in Journalism and Near Eastern Studies from New York University and a Bachelor’s degree in Near Eastern Studies and Arabic from Princeton University. He was a Center for Arabic Study Abroad (CASA) fellow in Jordan, an Overseas Press Club Foundation scholar and a Moment Institute Middle East fellow.

Walid Al Nofal is an investigative reporter and researcher. Originally from Daraa, he is an investigative reporter who has covered the Syrian conflict since 2011 from Syria and Jordan. He has worked for Syria Direct since 2016, and published pieces with other news organizations, including Middle East Eye, Al-Monitor, Al-Modon, and Araby Post. He has also consulted for several think tanks, such as Chatham House and the Carnegie Middle East Center. His work is focused on geopolitical dynamics, economic affairs, and human rights.

Alicia Medina is an investigative reporter and multimedia journalist. She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism, Media and Globalisation from the Erasmus Mundus program. She has worked for Syria Direct since 2020. Her work has appeared in media outlets like Radio France International, Equal Times, Syria Untold, News Deeply and Revista 5W.

Ali Wanli is the Communications Coordinator at Syria Direct. Originally from Damascus, he has lived and worked across the MENA region in the media and humanitarian sectors. He holds multiple degrees in communications and media studies, including a Master’s in International Studies on Media, Power and Difference from Universitat Pompeu Fabra.