The Analyst and the Autonomy: Charles Lister, the Syrian Conflict, and the Controversy of Kurdish Representation Table of Contents: Executive Summary 1. Biography and Professional Formation: The Roots of an Analytical Worldview 1.1 Educational Foundations and the "Terrorism Studies" Lens 1.2 The IHS Jane’s Era: The Technician of Insurgency (2011–2013) 1.3 The Brookings Institution and the "Insider" Network 1.4 The Middle East Institute and Policy Advocacy 2. The Geopolitical