The Baghdad Office
Since 2004, USIP has maintained a permanent field mission in Iraq, with an outstanding Iraqi and American staff who provide essential on-the-ground support to USIP's programs. Experts in Baghdad and Washington implement projects aimed at promoting reconciliation and moderation, strengthening governance and civil society, and giving the next generation a stake in peace and stability.
Read the latest news on projects and events from the Baghdad Office below.
Young Lieutenants Training: SENSE in the Field
USIP's SENSE program (Strategic Economic Needs and Security Exercise) has been widely used throughout Iraq to train government and civil society leaders on principles of negotiation, cooperative problem solving, and decision-making. Recently, a SENSE simulation dubbed the Young Lieutenants Training (YLT), brought together young civic leaders from across Iraq's political and ethno-religious landscape Already serving as deputies to senior Iraqi figures, these dynamic young people would prove not only their acumen for the principles of negotiating tough decisions, but also their courage as Baghdad came under recent assault by a series of coordinated terrorist attacks.
- Read the full article about the Young Lieutenants Conference.
Peace Media in Iraq: Building a New Community for Peace
In November, Program Officer Theo Dolan and consultant Brett Pierce (a Sesame Workshop producer) traveled to Amman, Jordan in order to work with Iraqi production partners in finalizing the editing of a truly unique 30-minute TV Special program. The program features Iraqi youth (14-18 years old) participating in a summit designed to build awareness and skills for peacebuilding. Dolan then met with Iraqi broadcasters in Baghdad to begin creating a network of Iraqi TV channels that would air the program beginning in early 2010. The TV Special will serve as a pilot program for an 8-10 episode TV series in which youth from across Iraq compete for the chance to win a national peace competition.
- Learn about USIP's work on Media, Conflict and Peacebuilding
- Discover how USIP is working to give the next generation a stake in peace and stability.
- Read a USIP PeaceBrief "Media for Next Generation Peacebuilding in Iraq,"
An excerpt from Caelan McGee describing a typical day in Baghdad
The helicopter flights are some of the most exciting and enjoyable parts of being here. The bluebirds fly especially low at 40-100 feet off the ground, and when in urban areas the pilots bank wildly left and right to become a more difficult target. As the bird dips to one side, you can look out the open window or door and see the sprawling city of Baghdad, and all the life that takes place on the rooftops of Iraqi houses. From that height, you can see drivers in their cars, patterns on the rugs hanging over walls, and the kids that look up and wave at you...if only for just an instant.