Dr. Cengiz has international field experience where he has delivered capacity building and training assistance to international partners in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. He also has been involved in the research projects for the Brookings Institute, European Union, and various U.S. agencies.

Dr. Cengiz regularly publishes books, articles and Op-eds on Syrian conflict, terrorism, transnational crime, and corruption issues in the Middle East. His recent 2019 book, “The Illicit Economy in Turkey: How Criminals, Terrorists, and the Syrian Conflict Fuel Underground Economies,” analyzes the role of criminals, money launderers, and corrupt politicians and discusses the involvement of ISIS and al-Qaida-affiliated groups in illicit economy.

Dr. Cengiz holds two masters and two doctorate degrees from Turkey and United States. His Turkish graduate degrees are in sociology. He has master degree from the School of International Service Program of American University and PhD degree from the School of Public Policy program of George Mason University. He is teaching Terrorism, American Security Policy and Narco-terrorism courses at George Mason University.

His blogs on crime and terrorism have been published by Vocal Europe, Small Wars Journal, and The Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime.