PrintDaniel P. Serwer
Vice President: Centers of Innovation
Contact
Daniel P. Serwer is vice president of the the Centers of Innovation. He leads the Institute's centers of innovation in rule of law, religion and peacemaking, sustainable economies, media and conflict, science, technology and peacebuilding and diaspora contributions to peace and conflict.
Serwer has worked on preventing interethnic and interreligious conflict in Iraq and he has been deeply engaged in facilitating dialogue between Serbs and Albanians. He came to the Institute as a senior fellow working on Balkan regional security in 1998-1999. Before that, he was a minister-counselor at the Department of State, where he won six performance awards. As State Department director of European and Canadian analysis in 1996-1997, he supervised the analysts who tracked Bosnia and Dayton implementation as well as the deterioration of the security situation in Albania and Kosovo.
Serwer served from 1994 to 1996 as U.S. special envoy and coordinator for the Bosnian Federation, mediating between Croats and Muslims and negotiating the first agreement reached at the Dayton peace talks. From 1990 to 1993, he was deputy chief of mission and chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, where he led a major diplomatic mission through the end of the Cold War and the first Gulf War.
Multimedia
- Bush Administration Offers Carrot to Serbia NPR, September 2006
- "Scenarios for the Future of Iraq and the Role of Europe: How Will Europe Engage?," Bound to Cooperate—Europe and the Middle East II, co-authored with Megan Chabalowski (published by Bertelsmann Stiftung, September 2008)
- "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly on Kosovar Independence," Commentary and Analysis for Radio Free Europe/Liberty, July 21, 2008.
- "What Can Iraq’s Neighbors Contribute," Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, (Vol. IX, no. 2, 2008).
- "Scenarios for the Future of Iraq and the Role of Europe: How Will Europe Engage?" in Bound to Cooperate—Europe and the Middle East II, edited by Christian-Peter Hanelt and Almut Moeller (Verlag Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2008).
- Coming Soon to a Country Near You: Kosova Sovereignty
USIPeace Briefing (originally published by Bertelsmann Stiftung, December 2007) - Kosovo: Breaking the Deadlock
USIPeace Briefing (September 2007) - Iraq: Time for a Change
USIPeace Briefing (September 2007) - The U.S., Iraq and the Middle East
USIPeace Briefing (August 2007) - Kosovo: What Can Go Wrong?
USIPeace Briefing (March 2007) - Civilians Can Win the Peace
USIPeace Briefing (February 2007) - Civilians Will Make the Difference in Iraq
USIPeace Briefing (February 2007) - Kosovo: Ethnic Nationalism at Its Territorial Worst
Special Report (August 2006) - Explaining the Yugoslav Catastrophe: The Quest for a Common Narrative
USIPeace Briefing (January 2006) - "How To Succeed In Kosovo," Balkans Investigative Reporting Network (December 2, 2005)
- Kosovo: Final Status in 2005?
USIPeace Briefing (February 2005) - "Iraq: Why We Can't Leave," (Washington Post, June 9, 2004).
- Kosovo: Status with Standards
USIPeace Briefing (April 2004) - Serbia Needs a Push in the Right Direction
USIPeace Briefing (March 2004) - Iraq and Its Neighbors: A Regional Architecture Is Needed
USIPeace Briefing (February 2004) - Managing Iraq's Oil Revenues
USIPeace Briefing (February 2004) - Iraq's Middle Class Is the Key to Unity
USIPeace Briefing (December 2003) - The Power To Protect: Should It Be Exercised?
USIPeace Briefing (August 2003) - Building Civil Society: An Overlooked Aspect of Iraq's Reconstruction?
USIPeace Briefing (July 2003) - Kosovo Decision Time: How and When
Special Report (February 2003) - Immediate Imperatives in Post-War Iraq: Public Security, Governance, Humanitarian Assistance and WMD
USIP Newsbyte (April 18, 2003) - "The Balkans: From American to European Leadership," Gustav Lindstrom, ed. (Shift or Rift: Assessing US-EU Relations After Iraq, 2003).
- Strategic Nonviolent Conflict: Lessons from the Past, Ideas for the Future
Special Report (May 2002) - Albanians in the Balkans
Special Report (November 2001 )
Congressional Testimonies:
- Kosovo Isn't the Problem, Serbia Is
Congressional Testimony, March 4, 2008
- Kosovo: What Next?
Congressional Testimony, February 26, 2007 - Serbia: Current Issues and Future Direction
September 20, 2006 - Balkans Progress: Who Stands in the Way?
June 15, 2006 - Kosovo: Current and Future Status
May 18, 2005 - The Current Situation in Serbia and Montenegro
March 17, 2004 - Progress and Challenges: The Successor States to Pre-1991 Yugoslavia
June 25, 2003 - The Future of Kosovo
May 21, 2003 - The Balkans: From War to Peace, From American to European Leadership
April 10, 2003
Available on usip.org:
- Kosovo/Serbia
On the Issues, February 13, 2008
Resources & Tools
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Countries: Serbia
| Issue Areas: Political Systems and International Relations, Post-Conflict Activities, Rule of Law
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In meetings conducted in Baghdad in May 2009, senior Iraqi leaders indicated how they interpret January’s provincial election results, expressed concerns about the recent downturn in security, lamented the tremendous financial pressure the government is feeling due to the decline in oil prices, and projected their hopes for national elections slated for 30 January 2010. The Iraqis, numbering about 20, represented the highest level of nearly all of the main Iraqi political factions, including leaders in the Council of Representatives (COR), members of the presidency, and top officials in the government. |
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President-elect Obama has stated his commitment to withdraw combat brigades from Iraq within 16 months, leaving a residual force of unspecified size for counterterrorism operations, training and equipping Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and protection of Americans. Judging from his statements during the campaign, it appears that the President-elect would like to leave Iraq’s internal problems to the Iraqis and treat Iraq as part of overall regional concerns rather than being his central focus. |
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Daniel Serwer participated in a briefing session sponsored by Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and Congressman Chris Shays (R-CT) on reconciliation progress in Iraq and USIP’s programs there. Serwer was joined by representatives from the Congressional Research Service and the Government Accountability Office. |
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The Bush Administration and Congress face difficult choices in Iraq. How can the relative success during the surge be prolonged and solidified? Should the drawdown continue? When will the Iraqi security forces be ready to take over? What can be done to accelerate political progress? |
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Daniel Serwer testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the challenges facing the United States and Europe in the aftermath of Kosovo’s independence. |
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Briefing before the bipartisan Congressional briefing series sponsored by Congressmen Howard Berman (D-CA) and Chris Shays (R-CT) on Kosovo’s declaration of independence; Serbia’s recent elections; U.S., European and Russian reactions; and, prospects for averting conflict in the Balkans with Daniel Serwer, Soren Jessen-Petersen and the International Crisis Group. Countries: Kosovo
| Issue Areas: Early Warning & Conflict Prevention, Governance, Political Systems and International Relations
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In an interview conducted shortly before Kosovo gained independence from Serbia, Daniel Serwer discussed the possible impacts of this development and Serbia's recent elections. |
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How will the recent Sunni "Awakenings" against Al Qaeda translate in Iraq’s broader political milieu? Already under the siege of an insurrection, can the current Iraqi government address the pitfalls of the coming year? |
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USIP Catalyzes Peacebuilding Conference in Iraq's Mahmoudiya District Countries: Iraq
| Issue Areas: Conflict Management and Resolution, Mediation and Facilitation, Post-Conflict Activities
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Daniel Serwer, USIP Guest Scholar Soren Jessen-Petersen and James O’Brien briefed Congressional staff on the importance of addressing that status of Kosovo. |
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Daniel Serwer testified before the House International Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats on Serbia's democratic transition and Kosovo's status. Countries: Serbia
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis, Conflict Management and Resolution, Governance, Post-Conflict Activities
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Daniel Serwer testified before the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Hearing on Human Rights, Democracy and Integration in South-Central Europe on the current situation in Bosnia, Serbia, and Kosovo, and on why none has established a firm foundation for peace after years of conflict. Countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia
| Issue Areas: Governance, Human Rights, Political Systems and International Relations, Security and Strategy
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Daniel Serwer, vice president and director of Peace and Stability Operations, testified before the Committee on International Relations on Kosovo. Countries: Kosovo
| Issue Areas: International and Regional Organizations, Political Systems and International Relations
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An Overview of U.S. Institute of Peace Activities to Promote Democracy and Minority Rights in Serbia-Montenegro and Kosovo Countries: Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia
| Issue Areas: Governance, Human Rights, Identity, Ethnicity, and Culture, Post-Conflict Activities, Rule of Law
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A Special Discussion on Capitol Hill Sponsored by The Faith and Politics Institute and the United States Institute of Peace. Countries: Iraq
| Issue Areas: Governance, Identity, Ethnicity, and Culture, Religion, Terrorism and Political Extremism
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Congressional Testimony by Dan Serwer, director of the Balkans Initiative and Peace and Stability Operations. Countries: Montenegro, Serbia
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis, Conflict Management and Resolution, Peacebuilding, Post-Conflict Activities
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Congressional Testimony by Dan Serwer, director of the Balkans Initiative. |
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Congressional Testimony by Dan Serwer, director of the Balkans Initiative. Countries: Kosovo
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis, Conflict Management and Resolution, Political Systems and International Relations
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Congressional Testimony by Dan Serwer, director of the Balkans Initiative. |
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Issue Areas: Conflict Management and Resolution
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Countries: Macedonia
| Issue Areas: Conflict Management and Resolution, Governance, Post-Conflict Activities
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Countries: Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia
| Issue Areas: Governance, Peacebuilding, Post-Conflict Activities
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Countries: Serbia
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis, Governance, Political Systems and International Relations
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Events
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September 16, 2009
Kosovo, which declared its independence a year and a half ago, is now recognized by 62 other U.N. member states and aims eventually to join the European Union. What progress is it making in this direction? |
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August 7, 2009
Sheikh Dr. Khalid al-Atiya, first deputy speaker of the Council of Representatives of Iraq, spoke about these challenging issues and answered questions from the audience. |
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August 6, 2009
Since the signing of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) last year, which committed the U.S. to an unconditional withdrawal of U.S. on a three-year timeline, the withdrawal issue has receded from the American public debate about Iraq. President Obama has set his own timeline that fits comfortably within the SOFA. How much and how fast the U.S. leaves Iraq will nonetheless have a critical effect on U.S. strategic interests in the region. Some Iraqi leaders have publicly stated their openness to a post-2011 presence. |
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June 25, 2009
Vice President Biden warned politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina that failure to adhere to the "only real path" ahead could bring a descent into "ethnic chaos." Yet the threat of violence for Bosnia and the corresponding actions that the leaders of Bosnia, the US, and the EU should take are hotly contested. Countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Europe
| Issue Areas: Civil Society, Peacebuilding, Post-Conflict Activities
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June 24, 2009
The Office of the US Special Envoy to Sudan will convene a conference involving more than twenty countries and organizations, as well as the two signatories to Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), on June 23rd. The conference will focus on reaffirming international commitments to the CPA and charting the course ahead concerning the international community's support for CPA implementation. Following the conference, on June 24th USIP will host a panel discussion to share outcomes. The panel will feature the US Special Envoy to Sudan, General Scott Gration, and representatives from the NCP and SPLM delegations. |
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May 12, 2009
Countries: Iraq
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March 11, 2009
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March 11, 2009
As the International Criminal Court considers the chief prosecutor’s request for an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir, there is an ongoing debate concerning the relationship between efforts to achieve peace in Sudan, especially in the Darfur region, and efforts to achieve proper accountability. This panel explored the relationship between peace and justice in three past cases — the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, the Special Court for Sierra Leone, and the International Criminal Court’s actions in Uganda — to collect lessons that are relevant to Sudan. |
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March 5, 2009
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March 3, 2009
Over the past year, the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs has convened a group of distinguished Iraqi academics and professionals to develop policy recommendations for Iraq. This group includes Iraqis from all parts of the country and features Islamists as well as secularists, people living inside Iraq as well as exiles, and a variety of professional backgrounds, including political science, the oil sector and the military. |
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February 23, 2009
Countries: Serbia
| Issue Areas: Identity, Ethnicity, and Culture, Post-Conflict Activities
| Programs: Grants & Fellowships, Jennings Randolph Senior Fellowship Program
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February 4, 2009
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January 6, 2009
Countries: Iraq
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis, Governance, Political Systems and International Relations
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December 16, 2008
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December 12, 2008
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December 10, 2008
A public event co-sponsored with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Bertelsmann Foundation Issue Areas: Political Systems and International Relations
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December 9, 2008
Countries: Iraq
| Issue Areas: Economics and Development, Governance, Political Systems and International Relations
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October 3, 2008
Countries: Iraq
| Issue Areas: Economics and Development, Identity, Ethnicity, and Culture, Peacebuilding, Post-Conflict Activities, Security and Strategy, Terrorism and Political Extremism
| Programs: Additional Fellowship Opportunities
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September 8, 2008
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July 30, 2008
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July 25, 2008
Programs: Grants & Fellowships
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June 11, 2008
Issue Areas: Civil-Military Relations, Terrorism and Political Extremism
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April 9, 2008
A Liberia Working Group and Center for Economies and Conflict public event |
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March 11, 2008
Issue Areas: Humanitarian Efforts, International and Regional Organizations, Nongovernmental Organizations, Peacekeeping
| Programs: Grants & Fellowships
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March 11, 2008
Countries: Iraq
| Issue Areas: Economics and Development, Humanitarian Efforts, Nongovernmental Organizations
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March 7, 2008
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March 5, 2008
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March 4, 2008
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February 26, 2008
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February 21, 2008
Countries: Iraq
| Issue Areas: Civil Society, Governance, Political Systems and International Relations, Rule of Law, Terrorism and Political Extremism
| Programs: Grants & Fellowships
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January 29, 2008
Countries: Iraq
| Issue Areas: Civil Society, Identity, Ethnicity, and Culture, International and Regional Organizations, Terrorism and Political Extremism
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December 3, 2007
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November 27, 2007
Countries: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia
| Issue Areas: Governance, Political Systems and International Relations
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November 15, 2007
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November 5, 2007
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September 12, 2007
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July 27, 2007
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July 19, 2007
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July 10, 2007
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May 18, 2007
Countries: Iraq
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May 7, 2007
Countries: Serbia
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December 14, 2006
Countries: Iraq
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December 13, 2006
Countries: Iraq
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December 4, 2006
Countries: Iraq
| Issue Areas: Governance, Identity, Ethnicity, and Culture, Peacebuilding, Post-Conflict Activities, Religion, Rule of Law
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November 20, 2006
Countries: Kosovo
| Issue Areas: Security and Strategy
| Programs: Grants & Fellowships, Jennings Randolph Senior Fellowship Program
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October 27, 2006
Countries: Kosovo
| Issue Areas: Identity, Ethnicity, and Culture, Negotiation and Diplomacy, Rule of Law
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October 4, 2006
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June 29, 2006
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June 28, 2006
Issue Areas: Peacebuilding
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June 26, 2006
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June 8, 2006
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May 31, 2006
Countries: Iraq
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May 2, 2006
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April 19, 2006
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October 26, 2005
Speakers at this forum described the American and Afghan experience with Provincial Reconstruction Teams. These innovative and often controversial civil-military organizations are now an established feature of the U.S. and NATO's effort to improve security, extend the authority of the central government, and promote economic prosperity in Afghanistan. |
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February 10, 2004
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November 12, 2002
Issue Areas: Peacebuilding
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June 12, 2002
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May 24, 2002
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