Shamala Kandiah Thompson
(Singapore) is the Executive Director at Security Council Report (SCR). A seasoned international affairs and public policy expert with a distinguished career spanning diplomacy, think tank leadership, and media management, since 2006 Kandiah has held several positions of progressive responsibility at SCR prior to assuming her current role, including Chief Operating Officer, Deputy Executive Director, and Associate Director. In these roles, she was instrumental in overseeing financial operations, donor relations, conceptualising major research initiatives, and representing SCR in high-level discussions. In addition, she has led SCR’s capacity-building efforts for incoming and aspiring elected members of the Council. She has worked with the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. She has also worked as a journalist: in television in Singapore, as a newspaper foreign correspondent in New York and as a media and communications consultant and trainer. Ms. Thompson holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the National University of Singapore and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.
Katerina Limenopoulou
(Greece) joined Security Council Report as Chief Operating Officer (COO) in November 2024. She oversees SCR’s operations, ensuring alignment with its mission and strategy, while also contributing to its research and editorial work, covering conflict prevention, peacebuilding and working methods for the organisation. With over 16 years of experience in the UN system, Katerina has held leadership roles such as Chief of the Peacebuilding Commission Branch at UN Headquarters and Head of UNMIK’s Political Office in Pristina. Her diverse background spans the private, NGO, and multilateral sectors, with expertise in operations, budgeting, human resources, communications, and research supporting political and security mandates. At the UN, she led multidisciplinary teams, managed organisational transitions, and advanced gender equality initiatives. Katerina holds an MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge, an MSc in Psychology from The Open University, and is completing a Master’s in Creative Writing and Literature at Harvard Extension School.
Paul Romita
(United States) joined Security Council Report in September 2011. As Managing Editor, he oversees all SCR publications, including What’s in Blue, the Monthly Forecast, and thematic research reports. From 2017-2020 he was the Editor of What’s in Blue. He is also responsible for covering climate security. Mr. Romita previously worked as a policy analyst in the State Fragility and Peacebuilding program at the International Peace Institute. He also has several years of experience in the communications and fundraising field. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College (Connecticut), a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, and PhD in International Affairs from CUNY Graduate Center.
Alina Entelis
(Ukraine, Israel) joined Security Council Report in December 2019. As Deputy Managing Editor-What’s in Blue, she oversees and coordinates the day-to-day editorial functions of What’s in Blue. Her portfolio includes Colombia and Venezuela, as well as the Children and Armed Conflict agenda. Prior to SCR, Ms. Entelis served as a political advisor at the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN. She has also previously worked at the National Security Council at the office of the Prime Minister of Israel. Ms. Entelis holds a bachelor’s degree in Politics, Economics, and Philosophy (PEP) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a master’s degree in International History from Columbia University and the London School of Economics.
Dawit Yirga
(Ethiopia) joined Security Council Report in April 2021. He covers the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Great Lakes region, AU-UN cooperation, peacekeeping, natural resources and conflict. and small arms and light weapons. Prior to joining SCR, he was an Ethiopian career diplomat with nearly two decades of experience. He worked on bilateral and multilateral matters, including following closely the work of the African Union and the United Nations. He served in Ethiopia’s embassies in Beijing and Tokyo as well as its Permanent Missions to the African Union and the United Nations, in Addis Ababa and New York, respectively. Most recently, Mr. Yirga served as Director for Neighboring Countries Affairs, Director-General for Asia and Pacific Affairs, and Director-General for International Organizations at the Foreign Office Headquarters in Addis Ababa. Career highlights include Ethiopia’s Chairmanship of the African Union in 2013 and its membership of the Security Council in 2017-2018; Mr Dawit was involved in supporting Ethiopia’s effective discharge of the responsibilities of these roles. Mr. Yirga has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and International Relations from Addis Ababa University and a Master’s degree in Governance and Development from the University of Antwerp, Belgium.
Vladimir Sesar
(Bosnia and Herzegovina, United States) joined SCR in October 2013. As Development and Outreach Manager, he is responsible for overseeing SCR’s external outreach, including promotional material, social media, publications, and support for capacity development activities. His current research portfolio includes UN Security Council Elections and Libya. Prior to joining SCR, Mr. Sesar served as a Policy Advisor at the Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN. Mr. Sesar holds a Master of International Affairs from Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Drake University.
Sara Bertotti
(Italy) joined Security Council Report in July 2021. As a Senior Policy Analyst, she is responsible for covering Lebanon, Haiti and the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Her portfolio also includes the selection and appointment process of the next UN Secretary-General. Prior to SCR, Ms. Bertotti was a Doctoral Researcher at the School of Law of SOAS University of London where her research focused on peace agreements, law and emancipatory sociopolitical change. At SOAS, her research and teaching work also concentrated on international law and gender. Ms. Bertotti also worked in Ireland in the Human Rights Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and accumulated work experience with Amnesty International Ireland and the Geneva-based NGO, UPR Info. Ms. Bertotti holds a bachelor’s degree (Laurea) in International Studies and a master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale) in International Relations and Diplomatic Affairs, both from the University of Bologna, as well as a PhD in Law from SOAS University of London.
Erik Ramberg
(Norway, United States) joined Security Council Report in February 2023. As a Senior Policy Analyst, he leads coverage of Iran, Israel-Palestine, sanctions, and the protection of civilians while also serving as a member of the editorial team and helping design and deliver capacity-building programmes. Before joining SCR, he worked as a Policy Adviser at the Permanent Mission of Norway to the UN, including during the country’s 2021-22 Security Council term. His prior experience spans the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, Oxford University Press, and the legal sector. He holds a BA (cum laude) in political science and English from Columbia University and an MPhil in peace and conflict studies from the University of Oslo.
Jonathan Ahn
(Bahamas, United States) joined Security Council Report in June 2026. As Operations Coordinator, Jonathan is responsible for the organization’s finance and budget operations, office administration, and human resources. Before joining SCR, he worked with the Permanent Mission of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the United Nations in the Office of the Ambassador and the Accounts Department. Jonathan holds a degree in urban planning with a specialization in international development from New York University and is pursuing an MBA in accountancy at CUNY Baruch Zicklin School of Business.Joshua Levkowitz
Joshua Levkowitz
(United States) joined Security Council Report in September 2026. As a Policy Analyst, he leads coverage of Sudan, South Sudan, Abyei, Somalia, sanctions, youth, peace and security, and conflict and hunger. Before joining SCR, he worked as a researcher on migration and forced displacement in Turkey and the Middle East for the Institute of Current World Affairs and managed conflict management programmes in Iraq and Afghanistan for the United States Institute of Peace. He holds a BA (summa cum laude) in international relations and history from Boston University and a Master’s in economics and international affairs (summa cum laude) from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. He has previously written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Foreign Policy.
Andrew Azzopardi
(Malta, Australia) joined Security Council Report in January 2025. As a Policy Analyst, he is responsible for covering Iraq, Syria, the Golan, and Yemen, as well as thematic issues related to conflict and hunger, and weapons of mass destruction. Prior to joining SCR, Mr. Azzopardi served as a Policy Adviser at the Permanent Mission of Malta to the UN during their term as an elected member of the Security Council (2023-24). Previously he also worked at Malta’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs in the political and protocol departments. Mr. Azzopardi holds a BA (Honors) in Criminology from the University of Malta and a MSc in International Crimes and Criminology from the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Gaurav Redhal
(India) joined Security Council Report in June 2023. As a Policy Analyst, he is responsible for covering Sudan, South Sudan, Abyei, Western Sahara, West Africa, Afghanistan, the DPRK youth, peace and security and maritime security. Previously, he worked with SCR as a Research Assistant, where he handled a similar portfolio and was also responsible for providing research support to other policy analysts. Prior to SCR, he worked with the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, assisting on sanctions and counter-terrorism, Afghanistan, Libya, and Mali. Mr. Redhal is an admitted lawyer in India and holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Law and Legal Studies from Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, as well as a Bachelor of Laws from the Army Institute of Law, India.
Rodrigo Saad
(Brazil) joined Security Council Report in June 2021. As a Policy Analyst, he is responsible for covering European issues on the Council’s agenda, including Armenia/Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Georgia, Kosovo, and Ukraine. He also covers cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Prior to SCR, he conducted research on conflict prevention, human rights, peacebuilding and sustaining peace at the International Peace Institute, the Universal Rights Group, and the International Crisis Group. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs from the University of Delaware and a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from the Graduate Center.
