He was born in Lice, in 1958. He is a professor and administrator in one of the most prestigious higher learning institutions in France, Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales. He is known for his studies on the Middle East, Turkey, and the Kurdish issue. His works that were translated from French to Turkish are: "Political Sociology of the Middle East," "Middle East: A History of Violence," "Luxury and Violence. Domination and Contestation According to Ibn Khaldun,"History of Turkey from Empire to Our Days (İletişim Press), "Kurdish Issue: States and Minorities in the Middle East (Avesta Press)."