WASHINGTON—The United States Institute of Peace has recently been tasked by Congress to address peace-building in Iraq. Programs under development seek to de-escalate ethnic tensions and inter-communal violence; create opportunities for institution and capacity building; and promote the constitutional process and the rule of law generally. Other emphases are on the facilitation of inter-religious dialogue, educational initiatives, and fostering public debate on democratization, reconciliation, and conflict prevention. Institute specialists available to the media include:

• Amatzia Baram, specialist in Iraq history and politics; professor, Haifa University; and Institute Senior Fellow.
• Mamoun Fandy, journalist and author; member U.S. Commission on Public Diplomacy; and Institute Senior Fellow.
• Harriet Hentges, executive vice president and head of the Institute's post-conflict stabilization work.
• Faleh Abdul Jabar, author, The Shiite Movement in Iraq; and Institute Senior Fellow.
• Ray Salvatore Jennings, humanitarian and post-war development specialist; and Institute Senior Fellow.
• Neil Kritz, director of the Institute's Rule of Law Program; and author, Transitional Justice.
• Bob Perito, special adviser, Rule of Law Program; and specialist in policing and peacekeeping operations, criminal investigations, and transitional justice.
• Daniel Serwer, head of the Institute's Iraq Working Group; and director, Peace and Stability Operations.
• David Smock, director of the Institute's Religion and Peacemaking Initiative.
• George Ward, director of the Institute's Professional Training Program and former coordinator for humanitarian assistance for Iraq, ORHA (February-June 2003).