Willem Staes (1990) works as a Middle East expert at 11.11.11.

He travels regularly to Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Palestine. Previously, Staes lived and worked in Palestine, Turkey and Egypt.

Willem Staes

Basic information

Name
Willem Staes
Title
Expert
Expertise
Middle East
Country
Belgium
City
Antwerp

Supported projects

Vuurland

  • Armed conflict
  • Politics

JERUSALEM/BEIRUT – The geopolitical and humanitarian situation in the Middle East has worsened since the terror attacks of 7 October 2023. International organisations have documented large-scale war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Palestine. Meanwhile, Israel has invaded Lebanon and Syria. This advanced geopolitical strategy too often loses sight of the fate of ordinary civilians.

No Man's Land

  • Environment
  • Human Rights
  • Migration

DAMASCUS - In No Man's Land, Middle East expert Willem Staes travels across Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Iraq. During nine trips between August 2021 and March 2023, he will see for himself how Syrian refugees find themselves in the most hopeless situation since the Syrian revolution in 2011.

Rebuilding Raqqah

  • Armed conflict
  • Politics
  • Terrorism

AR-RAQQAH - "Bomb after bomb after bomb." Dima is peeling potatoes in the kitchen when rockets are fired at her house. She loses a leg and two fingers. There are 7 dead. All citizens.