Ilham Amierah Zulfikri
Analyst, Middle East & North Africa Desk
Ilham Amierah Zulfikri is Analyst with the Middle East & North Africa Desk at World Order Lab. She is currently Undergraduate Student in International Affairs Management at School of International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia. She is also a Cadet Researcher at Asian Institute of International Affairs and Diplomacy, and a Volunteer at Jane Goodall Roots and Shoots program.
For her undergraduate thesis, Ilham conducted research titled “Digital Panopticon: Assessing LEO Satellite Surveillance as a Violation of Maritime Sovereignty Under International Law.” Her research examines the legal and strategic grey areas surrounding the operation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations by both commercial entities and states in contested maritime regions, with particular focus on the Black Sea Basin and the West Philippine Sea. The study explores questions of jurisdiction, maritime sovereignty, and state authority arising from satellite-based surveillance activities, particularly at the intersection of UNCLOS 1982 and the Outer Space Treaty (OST) 1967.
Previously, Ilham studied Foundation in Law at Kolej Poly-Tech MARA, Universiti Teknologi MARA in Selangor, Malaysia, where she exposed to foundational legal subjects, including domestic laws, social psychology, information technologies, global economic and legal issues.
Ilham is also deeply passionate about humanitarian advocacy and volunteerism. She led an exhibition project titled “Crimes Against Humanity: Genocide Based Religion: A Study on The Case of Bosnia and Rohingya” as part of Contemporary Global and Legal Issues Exhibition 2023 (CoGLIEX). Her wider research interests focus on international law, maritime security, and space governance.
Language: Malay (Native), English (B2), Chinese (A2), Arabic (A2), French (A1).
Education:
Bachelor's Degree, International Affairs Management
School of International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia (2023 - 2027)Foundation, Law
Kolej Poly-Tech MARA, Universiti Teknologi MARA (2022 - 2023)
Non-Degree, International Relations Summer School
Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (August - September 2024)
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Research Interests
Ilham Amierah Zulfikri
Analyst,
Middle East & North Africa Desk
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Regional Focus
ASEAN
Conflict Resolution
Geopolitics of South China Sea
Geospatial Intelligence
International Law
Law of the Sea
Maritime Boundary Dispute
Maritime Security
Remote Sensing
Satellite and Emerging Technologies
Space Politics and Governance
Malaysia
Philippines
China
United States
Southeast Asia
Black Sea Region
Indo-Pacific
Asia-Pacific
Selected Articles & Publications
Why Jakarta Stayed Soft While Kuala Lumpur Stood Firm Over Venezuela?
FACTS Asia | March 12, 2026 | Co-Authored with Fransiscus Divo Marcellino Prasetia
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World Order Lab is a youth-driven think-tank dedicated to advancing rigorous analysis and producing high-impact insights on Southeast Asia's most pressing security and governance challenges. We are strictly nonpartisan and non-profit initiative.