Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
Senior Program Officer

Contact
Please submit all media inquiries to interviews@usip.org or call 202.429.3869.
For all other inquiries, please call 202.457.1700.
Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen is a Senior Program Officer in the Center for Conflict Management, where she coordinates the Institute’s work on the Arab-Israeli conflict. In addition, she co-chairs the joint USIP-Stimson Center Lebanon Working Group and the joing USIP-NESA Yemen Working Group. Prior to joining the Institute, Ms. Kurtzer-Ellenbogen consulted on Arabic media discourse and worked with the U.S. Department of State as an Arabic language specialist, focusing on bilateral treaties and agreements. Previously, as a program officer at the Kennedy School of Government’s Middle East Initiative, she worked on the Israeli, Palestinian, and Saudi Arabian portfolios. Ms. Kurtzer-Ellenbogen’s professional and academic career has taken her throughout the Middle East, with considerable time spent in Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, and Yemen. Her graduate research focused on the Arabic language press in Israel, and the Arab citizens of the country. She holds a B.S. in Arabic and French from Georgetown University, and a master's degree from Georgetown's Arabic department with a dual concentration in Arabic linguistics and Arab studies.
Publications & Tools
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May 2013
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On the Issues
by Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
USIP’s Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen assesses the fallout from the Israeli air strikes in Syria, and the likelihood for an acute regional crisis. Countries: Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Syria
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis and Prevention
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March 2013
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On the Issues
by Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
Ahead of President Obama's trip to the Middle East, USIP’s Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen discusses broader context. Countries: Israel and the Palestinian Territories
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis and Prevention, Negotiation and Diplomacy
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March 2013
The March 2013 Prevention Newsletter features a Q&A with USIP President Jim Marshall on the importance of preventive action and highlights the role of regional integration as a tool for preventive action. Countries: Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Kenya, Pakistan
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis and Prevention, Training
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February 2013
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News Feature
by USIP Staff
Three of the five authors of “The Peace Puzzle,” a new book published by the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), appeared at an Institute forum on February 19, sounding notes of pessimism about near-term peace prospects but also calling for U.S. leadership on the sort of preparatory work that can lift public expectations in the region out of its current despair and lay the groundwork for a future effort to negotiate a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. Countries: Israel and the Palestinian Territories
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January 2013
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Olive Branch Post
by Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
This week’s parliamentary elections catapulted Yair Lapid, relatively unknown outside Israel, into a surprising position of influence as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tries to form the next government. USIP’s Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen examines the possibilities. |
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November 2012
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Olive Branch Post
by Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen, a USIP senior program officer, discusses the U.N. body's overwhelming approval of a Palestinian bid to upgrade its status in the General Assembly to that of nonmember observer state -- 139 in favor, 41 abstentions, and nine against. |
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November 2012
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Olive Branch Post
by Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
The latest flare up between Israel and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip should be viewed in a different light given changes in the wider Middle East region, according to Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen, a USIP senior program officer. |
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October 2012
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Olive Branch Post
by Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen, USIP's senior program officer in the Center for Conflict Management, discusses recent violence in Beirut and a fear of potential "Syria spillover" felt both inside and outside the country. |
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September 2012
The September 2012 Prevention Newsletter features a spotlight on The Syrian Civil War: Threatening Lebanon's Fragile Stability: Syria's year-and-a-half long internal strife has not only challenged Lebanon with tens of thousands of refugees, gun battles on the border and kidnappings, but reignited tensions along Lebanon's own sectarian fault lines. Countries: Iran, Korean Peninsula, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Syria
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis and Prevention
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July 2012
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On the Issues
by Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
USIP’s Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen provides an update on the recent political upheaval in Israel and how that may impact the prospects for peace in the Middle East. Countries: Israel and the Palestinian Territories
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis and Prevention, Mediation and Facilitation, Political Reform
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July 2012
The July 2012 Prevention Newsletter features a spotlight on Egypt: Morsi's Victory Brings Challenges New and Old: On June 14, Egypt's transition came to a turning point: Morsi became the first democratically elected President in the history of Egypt. Countries: Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Korean Peninsula, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Syria, Yemen
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis and Prevention
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May 2012
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Olive Branch Post
by Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
On Monday night, Israelis went to bed with a lame duck Knesset, set to dissolve in advance of early elections in September. They awoke Tuesday morning to an overnight unity deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the ruling Likud party, and Shaul Mofaz, the new leader of Likud’s main rival, Kadima. USIP's Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen assesses how Israel's new coalition government could affect the peace process. |
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May 2012
The May 2012 Prevention Newsletter features a spotlight on the North Korean Missile Launch: On April 13, North Korea defied the international community and conducted a failed long-range ballistic missile test. Countries: Iran, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Korean Peninsula, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Syria, Yemen
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis and Prevention, Human Rights
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March 2012
The March 2012 Prevention Newsletter features a spotlight on U.S.-Pakistan Relations: The year 2011 saw a progressive deterioration in the U.S.-Pakistan relationship. But despite the fact that mutual mistrust is probably at an all time high, there is no appetite to allow the relationship to rupture. Countries: Egypt, Iran, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Korean Peninsula, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis and Prevention, Human Rights
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January 2012
USIP experts look back at 2011 and ahead to 2012 on the Two Sudans, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Arab/Israeli conflict, gender issues, and more. |
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January 2012
The January 2012 Prevention Newsletter features a spotlight on U.S.-Iran relations: Iran seems to be on a collision course with the international community. The U.S. and its allies have to find a way to respond effectively to Iran, without feeding the very forces seeking conflict with the West. Countries: Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Korean Peninsula, Lebanon, North Korea, Pakistan, Tunisia, Yemen
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis and Prevention
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December 2011
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On the Issues
by Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
Attempts to revive the stalled peace process bore no fruit in 2011. USIP's Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen recaps 2011 and looks ahead to challenges in 2012. |
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November 2011
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On the Issues
by Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
With much anticipated parliamentary elections scheduled to take place less in Egypt less than a week from now, what are the political implications of the current unrest taking place in Cairo and elsewhere in the country? Countries: Africa, Egypt
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis and Prevention, Mediation and Facilitation, Political Reform, Post-Conflict and Peacekeeping Activities, Rule of Law
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October 2011
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On the Issues
by Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
USIP's Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen discusses the political aspects and timing of the Palestinian-Israeli prisoner swap brokered by the Egyptians. |
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May 2011
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On the Issues
by Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
USIP’s Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen discusses the significance of the reconciliation deal between Fatah and Hamas. |
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May 2011
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On the Issues
by Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
USIP’s Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen discusses how the Arab Spring could impact Israel. Countries: Africa, Asia, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis and Prevention, Mediation and Facilitation, Negotiation and Diplomacy, Political Reform
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April 2011
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On the Issues
by Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen and Scott Lasensky
Two USIP Middle East experts assess Israeli President Shimon Peres’s visit to Washington, DC, and the status of the peace process. Countries: Israel and the Palestinian Territories
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February 2011
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has resigned on Feb. 11 after weeks of peaceful protests. USIP takes a comprehensive look at the situation and its implications. Countries: Egypt
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis and Prevention, Political Reform, Religion and Peacemaking
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January 2011
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On the Issues
by Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
Expert Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen puts the protests in Egypt and in the region into context and discusses their historical and religious significance. |
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November 2010
This issue of Progress in Peacebuilding highlights the Institute's work on the Arab-Israeli conflict. Countries: Israel and the Palestinian Territories
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis and Prevention, Negotiation and Diplomacy, Religion and Peacemaking
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October 2010
As part of USIP’s work with youth in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and its efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, USIP staff recently met with OneVoice Palestine and Israel youth leaders to learn more about their work on the ground. Countries: Israel and the Palestinian Territories
| Issue Areas: Mediation and Facilitation, Youth and Peacebuilding
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Events
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February 19, 2013
As President Barack Obama embarks on his second term and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu builds his coalition government, many warn that time is running out for the two-state solution. On the occasion of its publication, the authors of “The Peace Puzzle: America’s Quest for Arab-Israeli Peace” discussed their own views on whether and why that door is closing, and what the next Obama administration can do to keep it open. Countries: Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria
| Issue Areas: Negotiation and Diplomacy
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October 17, 2012
Today’s international conflicts typically involve multiple actors, interests, and drivers that have sparked long, violent histories. Ending these conflicts relies more and more on facilitated dialogue, a process in which a neutral third party helps a broad spectrum of conflicting parties overcome the many barriers to effective communication. Countries: Colombia, Iraq, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Kosovo, Nepal, Nigeria
| Issue Areas: Mediation and Facilitation
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February 28, 2012
Israeli-Palestinian talks are at a standstill and Fatah-Hamas reconciliation moves raise new questions about the direction of the conflict and the continuation of Western aid. Meanwhile, religiously-motivated attacks in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are on the rise. Given the current low expectations for Israeli-Palestinian political negotiations, what is the role of religious leaders in preventing incitement and promoting peace? What has been achieved, and what are the current challenges to interfaith cooperation? Please note the time of this event. Our apologies for any confusion. Countries: Israel and the Palestinian Territories
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis and Prevention, Religion and Peacemaking
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September 29, 2010
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's government is midway through an ambitious two-year plan to build the necessary infrastructure for a viable Palestinian state. One-year on, our panelists assess its progress. This event, co-sponsored with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, marked the launch of a new U.S. Institute of Peace series on The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Internal Challenges on the Road to Peace. Countries: Israel and the Palestinian Territories
| Issue Areas: Mediation and Facilitation, Rule of Law
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