Chris Bosley is responsible for USIP’s Program on Violent Extremism. He drives the Institute’s work to prevent and reduce violent extremism and targeted violence by informing practice and policy with novel, multidisciplinary, and research- and evidence-based approaches.
 
In this role, Bosley leads the Violent Extremist Disengagement and Reconciliation initiative, a peacebuilding approach to rehabilitation and reintegration for communities affected by people disengaging from violent extremism or exiting violent extremist conflicts. The approach represents a peacebuilding-public health partnership to address the individual, social, and structural dynamics that contribute to violence and violent extremism. Its guide star is to leverage positive community resources and build social capital that can transform violent behaviors into prosocial ones to foster reconciliation and wellbeing.
 
Bosley came to USIP from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), where he served as senior advisor for counterterrorism, combatting violent extremism, political stability, human rights, and crisis management to the National Intelligence Manager for East Asia. Prior to ODNI, Bosley served for a decade as a Navy intelligence officer. His assignments included the Joint Staff, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the USS CARL VINSON. 
 
He holds a master’s degree in international security, peace, and conflict from Georgetown University, backed by a post-graduate certificate from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies and a bachelor's in political science from the University of Pittsburgh. His record of publication includes contributions to edited volumes and International Studies Review, among others. He enjoys travel with his husband Cody, thinks Springsteen’s Darkness on the Edge of Town album is severely underrated, and appreciates wine as a form of art.

Publications By Christopher

RISE Action Guide: Addressing the Collective Trauma of Violent Extremism

RISE Action Guide: Addressing the Collective Trauma of Violent Extremism

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

By: Chris Bosley;  Heidi Ellis;  Sarhang Hamasaeed;  Brandon Kohrt

The territorial defeat of ISIS gave way to another challenge, one that is common with violent extremist groups around the world: How to handle the tens of thousands who lived under — and engaged with — the Islamic State. With just under 50,000 people from over 60 countries still consigned to displacement camps and detention centers in the region, the lack of a long-term solution offers ISIS a possible recruiting source to reconstitute their ranks. USIP’s Rehabilitation and (Re)integration through Individual, Social, and Structural Engagement (RISE) Action Guide offers an approach to develop viable exit ramps for those who have engaged in violent extremism to return to society — as well as support for the communities affected by it.

Type: Blog

Violent Extremism

RISE Action Guide: A New Approach for Disengagement from Violent Extremism

RISE Action Guide: A New Approach for Disengagement from Violent Extremism

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

By: Chris Bosley

On November 17, USIP will launch the Rehabilitation and (Re)integration through Individual, Social and Structural Engagement (RISE) Action Guide. The guide provides a peacebuilding framework to help local stakeholders, policymakers and program funders and implementers support people who are disengaging from extremist violence to reintegrate and reconcile with their local communities. RISE is also focused on supporting the recovery and well-being of affected people and communities.

Type: Analysis

Peace ProcessesViolent Extremism

RISE Action Guide

RISE Action Guide

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

By: Lisa Schirch;  Chris Bosley;  Michael Niconchuk

The Rehabilitation and (Re)integration through Individual, Social, and Structural Engagement (RISE) Action Guide provides a framework for local communities and stakeholders, governments, funders, and implementors to support the disengagement of people from extremist violence and their (re)integration into, and reconciliation with, local communities. RISE adopts a peacebuilding approach informed by public health principles, emphasizing pro-social, social-ecological and community-centered interventions.

Type: Tools for Peacebuilding

Violent Extremism

Can Syrians Who Left ISIS Be Reintegrated into Their Communities?

Can Syrians Who Left ISIS Be Reintegrated into Their Communities?

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

By: Chris Bosley;  Leanne Erdberg Steadman;  Mona Yacoubian

More than a year since the territorial defeat of ISIS, the region is still reeling in the wake of the self-styled caliphate’s destruction. Kurdish authorities operate two dozen detention facilities in northeast Syria holding thousands of former ISIS fighters. On October 5, Kurdish authorities in charge of al-Hol said they would free the 24,000 Syrians in the camp, where conditions have become increasingly unsustainable. USIP’s Mona Yacoubian, Chris Bosley, and Leanne Erdberg Steadman look at what led to the decision to release these Syrians and the challenges ahead for reintegrating them into their communities.

Type: Analysis

ReconciliationViolent Extremism

To End ISIS, We Must Find Futures for Its Survivors

To End ISIS, We Must Find Futures for Its Survivors

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

By: Chris Bosley

At age 15, Shamima Begum ran away from home in England and, with two girlfriends, ventured into Syria’s war to join ISIS. Within days, she was married to an ISIS fighter; she has since had three children, all of whom have died. Begum, one of 70,000 former residents of the ISIS-declared state now confined in a displacement camp in Syria’s desert, is asking a British court to overturn a government order that stripped her of her citizenship. As nations worldwide seek justice, accountability—and their own security from ISIS’ violent extremism—Begum’s story shows how a “peacebuilding” approach is needed.

Type: Analysis

Violent ExtremismReconciliation

View All