Romario Shehu is IDM’s security program officer and researcher, focusing on security-related programs and projects. His work centers on security sector governance, violent extremism, organized crime and foreign policy.
He holds a Master of Sciences in International Relations from the University of Tirana and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Relations from Epoka University. He is fluent in Albanian, English, and Turkish.
Romario is an Exchange Alumni of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in the United States; Aspen Fellow – Alumni of Aspen Romania’s 2023 Program; and member of the International Advisory Board at the United Against Hate in Madison, Wisconsin.
Romario joined IDM in 2016 and has contributed to the following publications:
- The 2024 Assessment of Violent Extremism in Albania: Drivers, Forms, and Threats;
- Study report Pandemic management and lessons learned for a more secure future;
- Successfully reintegrating violent extremist offenders;
- Little Black Book of Organised Crime Groups in the Western Balkans;
- Russia and the Future of Europe: Views from the Capitals;
- Working Paper on enabling environments, drivers, and occurrence/nonoccurrence of violent extremism;
- 2020 Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index Albania;
- The status of Violent Extremism in Albania: A national assessment of drivers, forms and threats;
- Falling short of commitments: how Western Balkan governments fight organized crime;
- Mapping civil society responses in confronting organized crime in the Western Balkans;
- 2019 Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index Albania;
- Role of Religion in the Western Balkans’ Societies;
- Violent Extremism in Albania;
- Community Perspectives on Combating Violent Extremism in Albania;
- Reconsidering the role of civil society and religious authorities in building community resilience in Albania;
- Next generation Turkey and its foreign policy in the Western Balkans;