Articles by Ümit Seven

March 19, 2025

Why Syrian refugees are unlikely to return home

Ümit Seven

Syrian refugees face multiple challenges in returning to their homeland. The threat of violence may have ended, but the destruction of infrastructure, along with social and economic instability, make return unlikely. Ümit Seven shows how prolonged displacement has led many Syrians to rebuild their lives elsewhere. Many, he argues, have created a 'pragmatic home' in host countries

Ümit Seven

Postdoctoral Researcher, Middle East Technical University, Ankara

Ümit holds a PhD in Area Studies from Middle East Technical University in Ankara.

His research focuses on forced displacement, humanitarian action, and the intersection of governance and sovereignty in conflict-affected countries.

His most recent research examined how the Syrian regime used state violence and bureaucratic obstacles to assert control over humanitarian aid, compelling organisations like the United Nations to navigate and reinforce its sovereignty in the Syrian civil war.

Ümit has been a Guest Researcher at the Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich and a Visiting Doctoral Researcher at Sciences Po in Paris.

With over a decade of experience in international organisations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Food Programme (WFP), he has contributed to humanitarian and development efforts in Turkey.

Earlier in his career, he worked as an Aide to ISAF’s Regional Command in Kabul, Afghanistan, supporting high-level military operations and strategic decisions.

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