About Us
Rihla Research & Advisory is a boutique consultancy and private think tank founded by Jesse Marks, bringing together a strong network and expertise across policy, business, and academia.
We provide bespoke research, strategic advisory, and thought leadership on the forces shaping global politics, with particular expertise in China, the Middle East, and Asia. Guided by the principle that dialogue is the cornerstone of peace and prosperity, Rihla equips clients with the clarity and foresight to act decisively in a rapidly changing world.
Our Services
Geopolitical Research & Strategic Insight
Rihla delivers deep, context-driven analysis grounded in fieldwork, regional expertise, and global systems thinking. We help clients navigate political, economic, and resource-related uncertainty by providing tailored research, strategic assessments, and data-backed insights across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Our work connects on-the-ground realities with big-picture trends so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
Data Mapping, Visualization & Intelligence Platforms
Rihla builds advanced, interactive intelligence tools—including geospatial mapping, critical mineral tracking, and AI-integrated platforms—that transform fragmented global data into clear, actionable insight. Through platforms like our Global Critical Mineral Mapping Platform and our Rihla Atlas products, we give clients the ability to see patterns, anticipate risks, and identify opportunities across global supply chains and geopolitical environments.
Strategic Communications & Narrative Strategy
We help partners tell their story to the world. We craft narrative frameworks, leadership messaging, and communication strategies that elevate your mission and strengthen your credibility. By combining storytelling craft with geopolitical literacy, we turn complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives that resonate with the audiences who matter most.
Our Initiatives
Syria & the World Initiative
The Syria & the World Initiative is a new series of trackers and data products which map Syria’s evolving foreign relations, bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, investment flows, and the broader political and economic dimensions of its reintegration following 15 years of civil war.
Middle East – North Africa Critical Minerals Tracker
The Critical Minerals Tracker provides an overview of growing investments in the Middle East’s critical minerals sector and outflows of investment from the Middle East to third markets.
China Global Mediation Tracker
The China Global Mediation Tracker maps China’s growing role in international conflict mediation over the past two decades
Coffee in the Desert
This newsletter provides a weekly unique deep dive into Sino-Middle East affairs, including politics, economics, society, history, and culture.
In the Media
