Dr Brian Klaas is a Fellow in Global and Comparative Politics at the London School of Economics and an expert on global democracy, democratic transitions, American politics, Western foreign policy, political violence, and elections. He is the author of the forthcoming book ‘The Despot's Accomplice: How the West is Aiding & Abetting the Decline of Democracy. Klaas has advised governments, multi-billion dollar investors, international NGOs, and high-profile politicians.

He has extensive experience working in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and United States politics. Prior clients include the conflict management organisation, International Crisis Group, the international election monitoring organisation, The Carter Center, and large private firms. In the last two years, he has worked with elites at the highest levels of government and public affairs in Thailand, Tunisia, Madagascar, Zambia, Belarus, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire.