Calvin Wilder
Analyst, Nonstate Actors Program, Human Security Unit
Calvin Wilder is an Analyst for the Nonstate Actors program at the New Lines Institute. Prior to joining the institute, Calvin was a Research Assistant at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Program on Arab Politics, where his research focused on economic and humanitarian issues in territories held by non-state actors in Syria. He previously worked as a Research Assistant on the Chicago Project for Security and Threats’ Arabic Propaganda Analysis Team, translating and analyzing Arabic-language propaganda produced by ISIS, al Qaeda, and other extremist groups. He was a Boren Scholar in Amman, Jordan, from 2019-2020, working as a research and translation intern at Syria Direct, where he assisted with the outlet’s award-winning coverage of humanitarian and human rights issues in Syria.
Calvin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Chicago. He tweets at @CalvinWilder.
Latest Articles
Protecting Syrian Refugees in Turkey from Forced Repatriation
Facing domestic economic and social pressures, Turkey is considering measures that defy numerous agreements and international law to return Syrian refugees to their home country, whether or not it is safe. The United States and the European Union can show Turkey how continuing to host the refugees would be in Ankara’s interest.
Opportunities for De-Escalation in the Kurdish-Turkish Conflict
The United States has a small window of opportunity to push for a more durable settlement of Turkey’s “Kurdish question.”
Operation Claw-Sword Exposes Blind Spots in the US’ NE Syria Strategy
Turkish airstrikes have eroded the ability of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to combat an Islamic State resurgence. Ankara’s periodic saber rattling continues to divert the SDF’s focus away from its fight against the terrorist group.
The Limits of Northeast Syria’s Talks with the Assad Regime
The Syrian Democratic forces are increasingly turning to the Assad regime for security support against intensifying Turkish pressure in the region.