Afghanistan: A Road Map For Progress - Seeking Global Security | Press Release

The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) - "77 Strong and Growing" - Open to New and Different Ideas - Hosts Series of Forums to Discuss Military, Political, Economic and Social Policy Options in Afghanistan

Washington, DC — Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva and Rep. Lynn Woolsey have announced “Seeking Global Security”, an ongoing series of forums that will engage Members of Congress in discussions about foreign policy options that make sense in light of today’s global security challenges. With Afghanistan emerging as the first major test in the Obama Administration’s efforts to secure global stability, the Congressional Progressive Caucus has chosen to open with the comprehensive, six-part series “Afghanistan: A Road Map For Progress”. This series is non-partisan and will feature leading experts on the region who offer a diverse range of perspectives, both U.S. and international.

Topic:

Defining American Strategic Interests in Afghanistan, and the Northwest Border Area of Pakistan; Will the policies and goals of the Obama Administration serve our strategic interests? (April 1st; Location/Time TBD)

Confirmed Speakers:

Colonel Lawrence B. Wilkerson is a retired United States Army Colonel and former chief of staff to United States Secretary of State Colin Powell. Wilkerson is an adjunct professor at the College of William & Mary where he teaches courses on U.S. national security. He also instructs a senior seminar in the Honors Department at the George Washington University entitled "National Security Decision Making."

Ambassador Jim Dobbins is Director of the International Security and Defense Policy Center for the RAND Corporation. He has served several high-level positions in the State Department, including as the Bush Administration's first Special Envoy for Afghanistan

Abdulkader Sinno, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies at Indiana University, Bloomington. His first book, Organizations at War in Afghanistan and Beyond (Cornell University Press, 2008) develops an organizational theory to explain the evolution and outcomes of civil wars, ethnic strife and other territorial conflicts. He organized an international conference at Indiana University on Muslims in Western Politics and is the editor of a volume on the same topic (Muslims in Western Politics, Indiana University Press, 2009). He has researched and traveled extensively in the Middle East, Europe and North Africa. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on Middle Eastern politics, politics of Muslims in the West, conflict processes and state building, research design, and comparative politics.

Joanne Trotter is Director of Programs with the Aga Khan Foundation, USA. She served in Afghanistan, between 2005 and 2008, overseeing the Aga Khan Foundation’s work in rural development, civil society, health and education. The Foundation reaches over one million people in the central highlands and north eastern region of Afghanistan. Ms Trotter has overseas experience in Afghanistan, Argentina, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Peru, and Portugal, primarily focusing on citizenship, civic education and governance.

Invited Speakers:

Representative from President Obama’s Administration

Please check the Congressional Progressive Caucus website for updates on the Afghanistan series.