Roula Merhej
Journalist specializing in the Middle East
Roula Merhej, a journey shaped by exile, culture, and geopolitics
Roula Merhej was born into an influential Christian family in the city of Hama. She left Syria under Hafez al-Assad's regime and moved to France, where she grew up in an environment deeply marked by opposition to dictatorship and its injustices. She continued her studies in Switzerland after spending her childhood and adolescence in France, developing an international perspective on geopolitical and societal issues at an early age. Her father was a well-known businessman and a man of letters with a passion for philosophy. From exile, he published two Arabic-language philosophy magazines in the 1980s: Al Azmineh (الأزمنة) and Al Sifr (الصفر). Both were distributed in France. Their home was always a hub for intellectual gatherings, bringing together writers, poets, diplomats, political opponents, and members of the Syrian diaspora, as well as prominent figures from Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Italy, and France.
This household was frequented by the intellectual and political elite. One might encounter leading thinkers, as well as prestigious and influential figures from the Arab world. Debates on international current affairs, geopolitics, and global power relations punctuated daily life there. Roula imagined herself as a journalist and dreamed of interviewing the people who shaped the course of world events.
It was in this melting pot of ideas, strategic discussions, and cultural openness that her passion for journalism, geopolitics, geostrategy, and international affairs was born.
This early immersion gave her an informed perspective deeply rooted in the history of exile that is rare. She grew up alongside individuals who influenced the political decisions, social movements, and debates that continue to shape our era. This heritage forms the foundation of her expertise and understanding of contemporary international dynamics.
Academic background
Journalism, media, and multidisciplinary approach
Roula Merhej studied journalism, media, and communication at renowned institutions such as EFAP and CNFDI. She later complemented her education with a degree in hotel management from the École Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL).
Although she worked in the luxury hotel industry and for international family businesses, she knew her true calling was to be a journalist, analyzing the world and deciphering political, economic, and geostrategic issues.
To satisfy her passion for writing and nourish her thinking, she took master classes with Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt and Boris Cyrulnik, which added a literary, philosophical, and humanistic dimension to her approach.
Expertise now dedicated to geopolitical journalism
Roula Merhej is a journalist who devotes herself entirely to her two passions: writing and applying journalism to geopolitics, international affairs, conflict analysis, social movements, and global issues.
A bilingual French-English journalist, she contributes to international media outlets, conducts video interviews, writes radio columns, and collaborates with print media. She now shares her expertise with an audience seeking reliable, nuanced analyses grounded in history and contemporary realities.
Roula is a columnist for the quarterly magazine Géostratégie and for Mondafrique, publishing geopolitical analyses on the Middle East, international relations, and contemporary strategic developments. Her articles serve as a valuable resource for readers seeking to understand current geopolitical issues.
Editorial projects
In addition to her columns, Roula Merhej is working on several upcoming editorial projects focusing on women navigating between East and West in search of their identity.
This work demonstrates her dedication to highlighting underrepresented stories, blending a human and social perspective with a geopolitical analysis of an evolving global landscape.
