Briefings on Capitol Hill and Congressional Testimony
USIP often arranges special off-the-record briefings for Members of Congress and congressional staff to raise awareness on various issues relating to resolving, managing, and preventing international conflicts. Speakers at these sessions include USIP experts, fellows, and grantees in international conflict resolution as well as administration officials and representatives from non-governmental and international organizations (NGOs and IGOs). USIP experts are also asked to testify on key issues before Congressional committees.
The views expressed at these briefings and Congressional testimonies do not necessarily reflect those of USIP, which does not advocate specific policy positions.
For more information, contact the Office of Congressional Relations.
Recent Briefings and Congressional Testimony
U.S. Strategy in Afghanistan
April 28, 2009 |
J Alexander Thier briefed the Congressional Progressive Caucus on April 28, 2009 on "Afghanistan: A Road Map for Progress." Thier directs USIP’s Future of Afghanistan Project and edited The Future of Afghanistan" published in Jan. 2009 by USIP Press. Thier was a legal advisor to Afghanistan’s Constitutional and Judicial Reform Commission in Kabul.
Human Rights in Afghanistan
March 26, 2009 |
Rule of Law Specialist Scott Worden testified on Capitol Hill on March 26, 2009 on the issue of "Human Rights in Afghanistan." A former adviser to the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan on human rights and elections issues, Worden helped the U.S. Helsinki Commission examine the current state of human rights in Afghanistan.
The Role of Civilian and Military Agencies in
the Advancement of America's Diplomatic and Development Objectives
March 5, 2009 |
George Moose, vice chair of USIP's board of directors, testified on
March 5 before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations on "The Role of Civilian and Military Agencies in the Advancement of America's Diplomatic and Development Objectives." The hearing focused on the role of the military and civilian agencies in U.S. foreign policy, in permissive and nonpermissive environments. Like Moose, the Subcommittee's Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Ranking Member Kay Granger (R-TX) agreed that now is the time to strengthen civilian agencies and redress the imbalance that exists among diplomacy, development and defense.
An Example of Integrated Security Assistance: The 1207 Program
July 31, 2008 |
Robert Perito testified at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing examining the military’s role in foreign policy. Perito spoke to the application and implementation processes of the 1207 Program of the National Defense Authorization Act.
Reconciliation in Iraq
July 30, 2008 |
Daniel Serwer participated in a briefing session sponsored by Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and Congressman Chris Shays (R-CT) on reconciliation progress in Iraq and USIP’s programs there. Serwer was joined by representatives from the Congressional Research Service and the Government Accountability Office.
Kosovo Isn't the Problem, Serbia Is
March 4, 2008 |
Daniel Serwer testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the challenges facing the United States and Europe in the aftermath of Kosovo’s independence.
Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence
February 27, 2008 |
Briefing before the bipartisan Congressional briefing series sponsored by Congressmen Howard Berman (D-CA) and Chris Shays (R-CT) on Kosovo’s declaration of independence; Serbia’s recent elections; U.S., European and Russian reactions; and, prospects for averting conflict in the Balkans with Daniel Serwer, Soren Jessen-Petersen and the International Crisis Group.
Human Rights and Religious Freedom in Iran
February 21, 2008 |
Barbara Slavin testified before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom on conditions in Iran on February 21. Her testimony addressed recent U.S. policy towards Iran, the Iranian government's current crackdown on dissenters, and possible courses of action for a new U.S. administration.
The U.S. Experience with Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Iraq and Afghanistan
October 18, 2007 |
Robert Perito testified before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations alongside the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, Stuart Bowen. Perito summarized the three functions PRTs perform—governance, reconstruction and security—and offered recommendations to improve their operations and effectiveness.
Stabilizing Afghanistan
October 2, 2007 |
Briefing before the bipartisan Congressional briefing series sponsored by Congressmen Howard Berman (D-CA) and Chris Shays (R-CT) on the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan and the status of U.S. and international efforts to stabilize the country with J Alexander Thier and the International Crisis Group.
Extrajudicial Killings in the Philippines: Strategies to End the Violence
March 14, 2007 |
Gene Martin testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs on "Extrajudicial Killings in the Philippines: Strategies to End the Violence."
For archived Congressional briefings and testimony, please use the menu on the right.
