Muraz Safoev is a Fellow of Wider Black Sea Program at SSI. He is a researcher and analyst specializing in international relations, regional security, and geopolitical dynamics in the South Caucasus and the wider post-Soviet space. His work focuses on diplomacy, minority issues, and the evolving security environment across Eastern Europe.

He previously served as an editor at Caucasus Watch, where he monitored political and security developments in the South Caucasus and contributed analytical publications on regional affairs, foreign policy, and international cooperation. His broader professional experience includes work with governmental and international organisations, including the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Georgian Embassy in Tallinn, and other international institutions and initiatives.

Muraz holds a Master’s degree in EU–Russia Studies from the University of Tartu. He has also studied at KU Leuven through the Erasmus+ programme and is a graduate with honors from the European Academy of Diplomacy.

In addition to his analytical and policy background, Muraz has extensive experience as an interpreter and cultural broker, working across legal, medical, business, and public-sector environments for companies and organizations based in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Georgia. He is fluent in Georgian, English, and Russian, with conversational Kurmanji, and additional proficiency in French and Polish.