Dr Leon Goldsmith

2026

Journal - Research Other

Goldsmith, L. (2026). Strait of Hormuz blockade: The complex regional realities the US ignores at its peril. The Conversation. doi: 10.64628/AA.qkfteqrm3

2025

Journal - Research Article

Goldsmith, L. T., & Fulco, C. (2025). The educational potential and sustainability of “asymmetrical COIL” in Middle East politics teaching. Journal of Political Science Education. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/15512169.2025.2582781

2024

Journal - Research Article

Fulco, C., & Goldsmith, L. (2024). Internationalizing Middle Eastern politics (MEP): A study of the educational potential of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) for Middle East politics pedagogy. Journal of Political Science Education, 20(1), 101-118. doi: 10.1080/15512169.2023.2217360

2022

Chapter in Book - Research

Goldsmith, L. T. (2022). Oman. In M. Porsche-Ludwig & Y.-Y. Chen (Eds.), Handbook Near and Middle East states: Geography, history, culture, politics, economy. (pp. 205-228). Zurich, Switzerland: Lit Verlag GmbH.

Goldsmith, L. T. (2022). Foreword. In The nature of tyranny: And the devastating results of oppression. (pp. ix-xxiii). Abingdon, UK: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oso/9780197631959.001.0001

Journal - Research Article

Goldsmith, L., Shaikh, A. K., Yildiz Tan, H., & Raahemifar, K. (2022). A review of contemporary governance challenges in Oman: Can blockchain technology be part of sustainable solutions? Sustainability, 14, 11819. doi: 10.3390/su141911819

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Ellis, L., Winter, C., Headley, J., Goldsmith, L., Patman, R., Roper, B., & Nel, P. (2022, August). World in crisis panel. Panel discussion at the Otago Politics Day School, Dunedin, New Zealand.

2021

Chapter in Book - Research

Goldsmith, L. T. (2021). Oman. In M. Porsche-Ludwig & Y.-Y. Chen (Eds.), Handbook of Asian states: Geography, history, culture, politics, economy [Part 1]. (pp. 429-452). Zurich, Switzerland: Lit Verlag GmbH.

Journal - Research Article

Shaikh, A. K., & Goldsmith, L. T. (2021). A conceptual model for e-participation by Omani citizens using blockchain technology. WAS Science Nature, 4(1). Retrieved from https://worldascience.com/journals/index.php/wassn/article/view/27

2020

Journal - Research Article

Goldsmith, L. T. (2020). 'Dancing between raindrops': Politics education in the Sultanate of Oman 2012-2019. Arabian Humanities, 13. doi: 10.4000/cy.5913

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Shaikh, A. K., & Goldsmith, L. (2020, July). A conceptual model for e-participation by Omani citizens using blockchain technology. Verbal presentation at the International Conference on New Computer Science and Engineering Trends (NCSET), [Online].

Other Research Output

Hussein, Z. & Goldsmith, L. (2020, September). Gender politics in Oman: Between state, sect, and tribe. Middle East Institute. Retrieved from https://www.mei.edu/publications/gender-politics-oman-between-state-sect-and-tribe

2019

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Alabri, R. N. H., Shaikh, A. K., Goldsmith, L., & Albadi, A. (2019). Designing of a framework for electronic voting systems using blockchain technology. Proceedings of the 34th International Business Information Management Association (IBIMA) Conference. Retrieved from https://ibima.org/accepted-paper

Goldsmith, L. (2019). 'Dancing between raindrops': Politics education in an authoritarian state: The Sultanate of Oman 2012-2019. Proceedings of the New Zealand Political Studies Association (NZPSA) Conference. Retrieved from https://nzpsa2019.sched.com

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

Goldsmith, L. T., & Dumairieh, N. (2019). شيوخ الدين العلويين: مقدمة موجزة [The 'Alawī shaykhs of religion: A brief introduction] [CIRS Occasional Papers]. SSRN. 32p. Retrieved from https://ssrn.com/abstract=3292755

2018

Chapter in Book - Research

Goldsmith, L. (2018). Syria's Alawis: Structure, perception and agency in the Syrian security dilemma. In R. Hinnebusch & O. Imady (Eds.), The Syrian Uprising: Domestic origins and early trajectory. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Goldsmith, L. T. (2018). The Alawites of Syria: The costs of minority rule. In P. S. Rowe (Ed.), Routledge handbook of minorities in the Middle East. (pp. 185-196). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Journal - Research Other

Goldsmith, L. T. (2018). The ‘Alawī shaykhs of religion: A brief introduction. Sociology of Islam, 6(2), 190-211. doi: 10.1163/22131418-00602003

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Goldsmith, L. (2018, February). Complex and interactive residual risk: Opportunities & challenges for resilience. Verbal presentation at the Risk Management Conference, Muscat, Oman.

Other Research Output

Goldsmith, L. (2018). Oman: The conflict in Yemen endangers Oman's neutrality. The Maghreb and Orient Courier. Retrieved from https://lecourrierdumaghrebetdelorient.info/oman/oman-the-conflict-in-yemen-endangers-omans-neutrality/

2017

Chapter in Book - Research

Goldsmith, L. T. (2017). Adapting to shifting ground: The Alawites of the Northern Levant. In K. S. Parker & T. E. Nasrallah (Eds.), Middle Eastern minorities and the Arab Spring: Identity and community in the twenty-first century. (pp. 101-128). Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Goldsmith, L. (2017, February). The 'Alawī sheikhs of religion: A brief introduction. Verbal presentation at the Leading the Faithful: The Role of Religious Authorities in the Middle East Working Group II, Doha, Qatar.

Other Research Output

Goldsmith, L., & Parsons, N. (2017, November). The Middle East today. Panel discussion at the Celebrating 50 Years of Politics at Otago Events, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Research Presentation].

Goldsmith, L. (2017). Oman: A consultative democracy. The Maghreb and Orient Courier. Retrieved from https://lecourrierdumaghrebetdelorient.info/focus/oman-a-consultative-democracy/

2016

Authored Book - Research

Goldsmith, L. T. (2016). دائرة الخوف العَلَويون السوريون في الحرب والسلم [Cycle of fear: Syria's Alawites in war and peace]. Beirut, Lebanon: Arab Scientific, 388p.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Goldsmith, L. (2016, August). Alawite religious leadership, the state, and politics in the Levant. Verbal presentation at the Leading the Faithful: The Role of Religious Authorities in the Middle East Working Group I, Doha, Qatar.

Other Research Output

Goldsmith, L. T. (2016). Alawites pay the price for backing Bashar Assad. Politco. Retrieved from https://www.politico.eu/article/isil-syria-alawites-pay-the-price-for-backing-bashar-assad-vladimir-putin-russia/

Goldsmith, L. (2016). Syria: The Alawite 'identity reform'. The Maghreb and Orient Courier. Retrieved from https://lecourrierdumaghrebetdelorient.info/syria/syria-the-alawite-identity-reform/

Goldsmith, L. (2016). Oman: The sultanate’s tightrope walk. The Maghreb and Orient Courier. Retrieved from https://lecourrierdumaghrebetdelorient.info/oman/oman-the-sultanates-tightrope-walk/

2015

Authored Book - Research

Goldsmith, L. T. (2015). Cycle of fear: Syria's Alawites in war and peace. London, UK: Hurst, 288p.

Chapter in Book - Research

Goldsmith, L. T. (2015). Alawi diversity and solidarity: From the coast to the interior. In M. Kerr & C. Larkin (Eds.), The Alawis of Syria: War, faith and politics in the Levant. (pp. 141-158). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Goldsmith, L. (2015, March-April). Searching for institutional equilibrium in divided societies: Lessons from the Levant. Verbal presentation at the Economics of Conflict International Workshop, Muscat, Oman.

Goldsmith, L. (2015, April). Between integration and disintegration: Reconciling 'heterodox' and 'orthodox' Islamic identities in Syria. Verbal presentation at the International Symposium on Syria: History, Politics and Foreign Policy, Ankara, Turkey.

Goldsmith, L. (2015, November). Syria: The security dilemma of religious minorities. Verbal presentation at the War and Wars' Ending in the Post-2011 Middle East: A Cooperation of Germain Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA) and Lebanese American University (LAU), Byblos, Lebanon.

Other Research Output

Goldsmith, L. (2015). Oman: "Charlie"...A letter from Muscat to Paris. The Maghreb and Orient Courier. Retrieved from https://lecourrierdumaghrebetdelorient.info/opinion-column/oman-charlie-a-letter-from-muscat-to-paris/

Goldsmith, L. (2015). Oman: Can Oman survive without its heart? The Maghreb and Orient Courier. Retrieved from https://lecourrierdumaghrebetdelorient.info/oman/oman-can-oman-survive-without-its-heart/

Goldsmith, L. (2015). Oman: The return of the king. The Maghreb and Orient Courier. Retrieved from https://lecourrierdumaghrebetdelorient.info/oman/oman-the-return-of-the-king/

Goldsmith, L. T. (2015). Is Alawite solidarity finally breaking? Hurst. Retrieved from https://www.hurstpublishers.com/is-alawite-solidarity-finally-breaking/

Goldsmith, L. (2015). Oman/Iran: The nuclear argreement... "peace and stability" for real? The Maghreb and Orient Courier. Retrieved from https://lecourrierdumaghrebetdelorient.info/iran/omaniran-the-nuclear-agreement-peace-and-stability-for-real/

Goldsmith, L. (2015). Oman: The silent state? The Maghreb and Orient Courier. Retrieved from https://lecourrierdumaghrebetdelorient.info/oman/oman-the-silent-state/

Goldsmith, L. (2015). Immunizing against sectarian “sickness”: The case of Oman. Middle East Institute. Retrieved from https://www.mei.edu/publications/immunizing-against-sectarian-sickness-case-oman

2014

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Goldsmith, L. (2014, January). 'Alwais of coast and city. Verbal presentation at the 'Alawis of Syria: War, Faith and Politics in the Levant International Workshop, London, UK.

2013

Journal - Research Article

Goldsmith, L. (2013). 'God wanted diversity': Alawite pluralist ideals and their integration into Syrian society 1832-1973. British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 40(4), 392-409. doi: 10.1080/13530194.2013.811631

2012

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Goldsmith, L. (2012, May). Resilience of Alawite 'Asabiyya and implications for the Syrian uprising. Verbal presentation at the Middle East Institute Annual Conference, Singapore.

Goldsmith, L. (2012, November). The "reality of events" and international dysfunction in the Syrian crisis: Perspectives from Syrian fig farmers. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Political Studies Association (NZPSA) Conference, Wellington, New Zealand.

Harris, W., & Goldsmith, L. (2012, June). The convulsion in Syria. Verbal presentation at the 47th Otago Foreign Policy School: The Middle East: Unfolding Dreams and Drama in the Early Twenty-First Century, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Other Research Output

Goldsmith, L. (2012). Alawites for Assad: Why the Syrian sect backs the regime. Foreign Affairs. Retrieved from https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/middle-east/2012-04-16/alawites-assad

Awarded Doctoral Degree

Goldsmith, L. (2012). The politics of sectarian insecurity: Alawite'Asabiyya and the rise and decline of the Asad Dynasty of Syria (PhD). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/2232

2011

Journal - Research Article

Goldsmith, L. (2011). Syria's Alawites and the politics of sectarian insecurity: A Khaldunian perspective. Ortadoğu Etütleri, 3(1), 33-60.

Goldsmith, L. (2011). Syria's Alawites and the politics of sectarian insecurity: A Khaldunian perspective. Ortadoğu Etütleri, 3(1), 33-60.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Goldsmith, L. (2011). The seeds of the Syrian Revolution: A Khaldunian perspective. Proceedings of the New Zealand Political Studies Association (NZPSA) Conference. (pp. 15). Retrieved from http://nzpsa.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/nzpsa-2011-conference-abstracts.pdf

2009

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Goldsmith, L. (2009, September). Sect and politics in Syria: The Alawites, 'Asabiyya and the Syrian regime. Verbal presentation at the British Society of Middle East Studies (BRISMES) Graduate Conference, Exeter, UK.