Neutrality with Dialogue

The International Commitee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has a specific mandate under international law that is distinct among humanitarian actors. Its neutrality, while not an end in itself, allows the ICRC to carry out its duties to assist and protect victims of armed conflict and internal disturbances. The ICRC's special status under the Geneva Conventions leads the organization to engage with the U.S. military on a number of issues in todays' headlines, including detainee operations, conduct of hostilities, and the debate over civil-military roles in conflict areas.

This event explored the following questions:

• What is the unique mission and status of the ICRC?
• How do the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of State view the ICRC, both currently and historically?
• How have the ICRC's relations with the U.S. military evolved? What does the ICRC-military dialogue look like today in Afghanistan?

Speakers

• Beat Schweizer
  Deputy Director-General, International Committee of the Red Cross
• Pete Verga
  Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Integration and Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, U.S. Department of Defense
• Alexandra Perina
  Attorney Adviser, Office of the Legal Adviser for Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State
• Ambassador George Moose, Moderator
  Vice Chairman of the USIP Board of Directors
  Former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
• Beth Cole, Introductory Comments
  Director, Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Institute of Peace
  Co-Chair, Working Group on Civil-Military Relations in Non-Permissive Environements