Elections in Nigeria: A New Hope for Peace and Governance?
On November 1, Partnership for a Secure America and the United States Institute of Peace hosted an off-the-record briefing on Nigeria’s consequential upcoming elections.
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Ending ISIS in North Africa: The Road Through Libya and Tunisia
On July 16th, Vice President of the Middle East and Africa Center at the United States Institute of Peace Mike Yaffe and Senior Analyst and Africa Team Lead for the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute Emily Estelle discussed evolving efforts in Libya and Tunisia to counter terrorist operations across the region.
U.S. Military Presence in Africa
On February 22nd, the United States Institute of Peace’s Director of Africa Programs Susan Stigant and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs Amanda Dory discussed the recent terror threats in Sub-Saharan Africa as a part of the USIP-PSA congressional briefing series
CPP Fall 2017 Retreat
On October 21st and 22nd, participants in the Fall 2017 class of the Congressional Partnership Program joined foreign policy and national security experts for a weekend of thought provoking discussions and bipartisan team-building. This retreat was a great opportunity for participants to assess global challenges, explore differences, and build common ground.
Bipartisan Forum
Participants heard from Mr. Luke Murry and Mr. Michael Kuiken on the mechanics of bipartisan consensus on the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. Speakers discussed their negotiation of the bill language and passage through both chambers of Congress.
Featuring:
Mr. Luke Murry – National Security Advisor for House Majority Leader, Congressman Kevin McCarthy
Mr. Michael Kuiken – National Security Advisor for Senate Minority Leader, Senator Chuck Schumer
Keynote Address
The Keynote address was provided by Mr. Michael Morell who discussed “Global Challenges for Today and Tomorrow.” Mr. Morell discussed global instability, challenges facing the intelligence community, and opportunities for Congressional engagement.
Featuring:
Mr. Michael Morell – Former Deputy Director of the CIA and Former Acting Director of the CIA.
Breakout Sessions
Ambassador Roger Noreiga discussed the Venezuelan crisis including high inflation and unemployment, a rise in violence, and crushing debt. Ambassador Noriega also addressed U.S. policy options when dealing with Venezuela.
Ambassador Barbara Bodine discussed Yemen and the Arabian Peninsula. She outlined the various countries vying for influence in Yemen, how the war affects the Arabian Peninsula, and strategies the U.S. should employ to help bring the war to an end.
Featuring:
Ambassador Roger Noreiga – Former Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs and Former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States
Ambassador Barbara Bodine – Former U.S. Ambassador to Yemen.
National Security Council Simulation
Participants engaged in a National Security Council Simulation led by Mr. Robert Sheldon to advance strategic negotiation and communication skills.
Featuring:
Mr. Robert Sheldon – Director for Policy – Emerging Threats at the Business Executives for National Security.
South Sudan: Congress’ Role in Building a Sustainable Peace
On April 10th, South Sudan experts Ambassador Princeton Lyman and Susan Stigant, of the United States Institute of Peace discussed the current situation in South Sudan and what Congress can do to stop the spread of famine and genocide
USIP-PSA Celebrate 35th Event of Briefing Series
On November 3rd, The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and Partnership for a Secure America (PSA) celebrated the 35th event in the Congressional Briefing Series – Topics on International Conflict Resolution and Prevention. This series is an educational program that is designed to provide congressional staff with opportunities to engage leading experts and fellow Capitol Hill staffers in bipartisan forums.
This series has been very successful in providing an opportunity for staff to receive fact-based updates on conflict around the world and discuss opportunities for bipartisan consensus. It has featured events on conflict resolution in countries including Afghanistan, Colombia, Iraq, Ukraine, Syria, Tunisia, and Pakistan. The series has also focused on how to prevent conflict by hosting briefings on issues including countering violent extremism in Africa and civil nonviolent resistance.
Notable speakers include General John Allen, Ambassador Bill Taylor, Congressman Jim Kolbe, Dr. Andrew Wilder, and Ambassador Thomas Pickering. Over the lifetime of the program, this briefing series has hosted hundreds of congressional foreign policy and national security staffers.
Civil Non-Violent Resistance: Why it Works and Why it Matters
Dr. Maria Stephan, Senior Policy Fellow at the US Institute of Peace, and two prominent activists who led civil resistance campaigns in conflict zones discussed the importance of non-violent resistance
Addressing Drivers of Extremism in Africa
Muhammad Fraser-Rahim, USIP Program Officer, and Kate Almquist Knopf, the Director of the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, discussed U.S. efforts to counter violent extremism in Africa.
Nigeria: Elections, Boko Haram & the Future of US Relations
February 19th: PSA and USIP hosted an off-the-record congressional staff discussion with Amb. Johnny Carson, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (2009-2013), and Susan Stigant, Director of Africa Programs at USIP.
The PSA/USIP Series: Ambassador Johnnie Carson – Why We Can No Longer Ignore Africa
The Partnership for a Secure America (PSA) and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) held an off-the-record, bipartisan group discussion with former Ambassador Johnnie Carson,