Chris Deliso

Chris (Christopher) Deliso is the founder and director of Balkanalysis.com. Originally from the US, he has spent considerable time in the Balkans during the past 13 years, living in three regional countries and traveling widely for research as a journalist, analyst and travel writer.

Currently based in Skopje, Chris writes on a variety of subjects including Balkan political developments and social trends, regional security and intelligence, counter-terrorism initiatives and organized crime, as well as regional history, travel, tourism and culture. Aside from directing the day-to-day Balkanalysis.com research and editorial processes, Chris contributes articles, interviews and briefings for the website, and also leads event planning and other relevant initiatives.

First and foremost, however, it is as a writer that Chris has been most active, having published widely over the past decade in a wide variety of global media groups on all topics related to the Balkan and Mediterranean regions. (See the official Chrisdeliso.com website’s ‘Writing’ page). Specialist publications for which Chris has written include the Economist Intelligence Unit and the Jane’s Group, newspapers like the Financial Times, Christian Science Monitor, Denver Post, Sydney Morning Herald and St Petersburg Times, magazines such as National Geographic Traveller, Forbes, and BBC History, as well as the UPI wire service. Chris has also authored and co-authored several books on travel, culture, security and history.

In addition to English, Chris speaks intermediate Greek and Macedonian (the latter knowledge helping him get by in Bulgarian and Serbian as well). He became acquainted with the region originally while undertaking an MPhil with Distinction in Byzantine Studies at Oxford University (1999), with a thesis on Palaeologan philosophy. Having started (without getting very far) once upon a time, he intends to learn Turkish as well at some point.

Chris Deliso presents his research assessments at conferences and sometimes closed sessions for internationally significant groups and governmental bodies such as the United States Department of State, the INR (Bureau for Intelligence and Research), National Intelligence Council and Department of Homeland Security, among others. Chris is a member of professional media organizations such as the National Press Club and the American Society of Journalists and Authors, plus other entities like the International Studies Association and the NMIA and AFIO as a media member.

Balkan-related organizations to which Chris belongs include the Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies, the Friends of Mt Athos, the North American Society for Serbian Studies, and the Bulgarian Studies Association, as well as the Society for Romanian Studies.

Chris has various author pages, with ChrisDeliso.com the one official personal website maintained by him. Further there are the Travel Intelligence Author Page, Lonely Planet Author Page, TravelWriters UK Page, and Amazon.com Author Page.

Status: Chris Deliso is currently available for speaking engagements and event participation.

All previous Balkanalysis.com Articles, Interviews and Briefings by Chris Deliso

Expecting a Boom in Demand, Greek Shipowners Turn to LNG Tanker Acquisition (April 10, 2012)

In Romania, Connections Clouded between Intelligence, Business and Politics (April 2, 2012)

After Macedonia’s Islamist Protest, Investigators Search for Significance amidst Confusing Array of Motives and Clues (February 13, 2012)

Albania Oil Industry Enjoys Revival, but Investor-Government Relations Remain a Question (February 5, 2012)

Review: Greek Military Intelligence and the Crescent (January 30, 2012)

Once Classified Report Sheds Light on CIA Estimates of Cold War Yugoslavia (January 24, 2012)

DEA and Multi-National Police Operations Highlight Narcotics, Terrorism and Role of the Balkans (December 31, 2011)