Paul Hughes

Senior Program Officer, Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention

Paul Hughes is the executive director of the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States, having previously served as the director of Iraq programs in the Center for Post-Conflict Peace and Stability Operations. Prior to joining the Institute, he served as an active duty U.S. Army colonel and as the Army’s senior military fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies, of the National Defense University. As the director of national security policy on the Army staff, he developed and provided policy guidance for the Army in numerous areas, such as arms control, weapons of mass destruction, missile defense, information operations, emerging nontraditional security issues and crisis prediction.

From January to August 2003, Hughes served as the chief of the Special Initiatives Office for the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance and as the director of the Strategic Policy Office for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. During that time he developed several policy initiatives, such as the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of the Iraqi military. From 1996 to 2000, he served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) as deputy director of the Office for Humanitarian Assistance and Anti-Personnel Landmine Policy, where he led the OSD response to Hurricane Mitch, the Turkish earthquakes and the Mozambique floods. His awards include two Defense Superior Service Medals, three Bronze Star Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, four Army Commendation Medals and several campaign and service ribbons.

Hughes holds a B.A. in sociology from Colorado State University and two master’s of military arts and sciences degrees.

 

Publications

Available on usip.org

Multimedia

Resources & Tools

Credit: USAID Photo-Georgia
May 2009

An online toolkit for peacemakers, negotiators, and other conflict management practitioners.

January 2007 | Congressional Testimony by Paul Hughes

Paul Hughes addressed the Capitol Hill-based study group "Security for a New Century" on the current security situation in Iraq and options to foster stability in the country and across the region.

July 2005 | Congressional Testimony by Paul Hughes

Paul Hughes testified on "A Third Way: Alternatives for Iraq’s Future" before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

May 2005 | Peace Briefing by Paul Hughes

USIPeace Briefing analyzing the motivation behind the insurgency, how to deal with the insurgency, and the lessons learned.

Countries: Iraq

Events

October 26, 2009

On October 26, 2009, USIP held a panel discussion with Amb. Linton Brooks, Joseph Cirincione, and Thomas Scheber on next steps for the START process and the START Follow-on Treaty.

July 27, 2009

On July 27, 2009, a panel of experts reviewed the destructive potential of a nuclear weapon, and discussed the role of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) as keystone agreements to halt the spread of nuclear weapons technology.

Dr. William J. Perry testifies before the House Armed Services Committee on May 6, 2009.  (Credit: USIP Photo/Keith Mellnick)
May 27, 2009

Three senior experts who advised the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States and supported its deliberations will discuss their views on the report's findings and recommendations.

May 12, 2009
Countries: Iraq
November 19, 2007
October 22, 2007
Countries: Iraq | Issue Areas: Identity, Ethnicity, and Culture
iz-map.gif
July 28, 2006