Charles Lister (SH.01-06) is a leading expert on Syria, whose career has taken him from intelligence analysis to the heart of international diplomacy. After leaving Malvern College, Charles spent a gap year in Boston working in US foreign policy analysis before studying International Relations at the University of St Andrews, specialising in counterterrorism. He began his career in London with the global intelligence firm Jane’s, where he developed a rigorous grounding in security analysis at the height of the Arab Spring. It was here that Syria became his focus – a country and conflict that would define the next 15 years of his career.
Charles spent three years living in the Middle East, negotiating directly with armed groups in Syria as part of a European-backed effort to bring combatants into the political peace process. Working constantly on the ground, he built trust with jihadist and revolutionary fighters, seeking to understand their motivations and willingness to engage in diplomacy. His work helped achieve a critical breakthrough, with armed groups joining official negotiations, reinforcing his belief that the potential for peace cannot be achieved without engaging those holding power.
Now based in Washington DC, Charles is the Senior Fellow and Director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute where he leads research and policy analysis on Syria. His role sees him regularly briefing the White House, State Department, CIA and Department of Defence, as well as governments across Europe and the Middle East. His work has not been without difficulty, facing death threats and plots by al-Qaeda and ISIS, and getting sanctioned by Russia. But with the fall of the Syrian regime, a chance for peace has seen him supporting the country’s recovery, advising governments and major international businesses involved in rebuilding efforts, while maintaining a strong public profile through international media commentary.
Charles traces his passion for this work back to his time at Malvern, particularly witnessing 9/11 while at school, which sparked a lasting interest in extremism and injustice. He credits Malvern with providing a rounded education that fostered critical thinking, independence and a powerful sense of community, alongside involvement in CCF and sport. His advice to pupils is to stay curious, embrace challenge and engage with the wider world – meaningful careers are often found by those willing to navigate complexity with purpose.