Martin Laryš earned his Ph.D. from Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, where he actively contributes to various research projects. He currently holds the role of Research Deputy Director at the Institute of International Relations Prague (IIR). Martin has published over ten articles in high-impact academic journals, exploring a wide range of topics, including nationalism and security dynamics in post-Soviet space, organized crime, and political radicalism. Laryš is also (co-)author of two monographs published by Routledge, including the book Rebel Militias in Eastern Ukraine: From Leaderless Groups to Proxy Army.