Menu

United States Institute of Peace

Home ▶ Events

Neutrality with Dialogue

Date: Monday, May 24, 2010 / Time: 10:00am - 11:30am 

Share This
Print the Page

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has a specific mandate under international law that is distinct among humanitarian actors. Its special status under the Geneva Conventions leads the organization to engage with the U.S. military on a number of issues in today's headlines, including detainee operations, conduct of hostilities, and the debate over civil-military roles in conflict areas. This event explored the ICRC's unique mission and status and its relations with the U.S. military in hostile environments.

The International Commitee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has a specific mandate under international law that is distinct among humanitarian actors. Its neutrality, while not an end in itself, allows the ICRC to carry out its duties to assist and protect victims of armed conflict and internal disturbances. The ICRC's special status under the Geneva Conventions leads the organization to engage with the U.S. military on a number of issues in todays' headlines, including detainee operations, conduct of hostilities, and the debate over civil-military roles in conflict areas.

This event explored the following questions:

  • What is the unique mission and status of the ICRC?
  • How do the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of State view the ICRC, both currently and historically?
  • How have the ICRC's relations with the U.S. military evolved? What does the ICRC-military dialogue look like today in Afghanistan?

Speakers

  • Beat Schweizer
    Deputy Director-General, International Committee of the Red Cross
  • Pete Verga
    Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Integration and Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, U.S. Department of Defense
  • Alexandra Perina
    Attorney Adviser, Office of the Legal Adviser for Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State
  • Ambassador George Moose, Moderator
    Vice Chairman of the USIP Board of Directors
    Former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
  • Beth Cole, Introductory Comments
    Director, Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Institute of Peace
    Co-Chair, Working Group on Civil-Military Relations in Non-Permissive Environements

Latest Publications

How America’s Trade Program with Africa Bolsters Security and Peace

How America’s Trade Program with Africa Bolsters Security and Peace

Thursday, August 1, 2024

By: Thomas P. Sheehy

America’s security and global influence in this 21st century will be significantly impacted by the world’s fastest-growing and changing region: Africa. A bipartisan consensus among U.S. foreign policy leaders is pressing the United States to intensify its engagements across the continent to counter rising violence and instability that is often rooted in poor governance and unmet human needs. Yet next year, America risks losing a powerful, cost-effective tool for building U.S.-African partnership, peace and prosperity. Last week, a gathering at USIP of African and U.S. business and policy leaders sharpened and bolstered critical arguments for renewing and enhancing this vital instrument: the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Type: Analysis

Economics;  Global Policy

As Myanmar’s Junta Loses Control in the North, China’s Influence Grows

As Myanmar’s Junta Loses Control in the North, China’s Influence Grows

Thursday, August 1, 2024

By: Jason Tower

Earlier this year, China brokered talks between Myanmar’s military and an alliance of ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) that handed the army its worst defeat in history. The negotiations’ goal was to restore overland trade — interrupted by fighting — between China’s Yunnan Province and Myanmar. To China’s frustration, the talks collapsed in mid-May, and in late June the alliance reopened its anti-junta offensive.

Type: Analysis

Conflict Analysis & Prevention

As Moldova Nears an Election, Russia Exploits an Unhealed Ethnic Rift

As Moldova Nears an Election, Russia Exploits an Unhealed Ethnic Rift

Thursday, August 1, 2024

By: Elizabeth June;  James Rupert

In 2024, Russia’s hybrid war on Europe is notably targeting tiny Moldova, which, like Ukraine, is struggling for full independence from centuries of domination by Moscow. Specifically, Vladimir Putin’s government is campaigning to scuttle Moldova’s decision to join the European Union — and one strategy is to sustain opposition by the country’s minority Gagauz community. In just 11 weeks, Moldovans will vote whether to re-elect their pro-Europe president and ratify her government’s European choice. The Kremlin is sponsoring an opposition campaign that appears certain to lose those votes; Moscow may try instead to undermine the elections’ credibility, partly through political manipulation among the Gagauz.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

Maduro Claims Disputed Election Win, Sending Venezuela Back to Square One

Maduro Claims Disputed Election Win, Sending Venezuela Back to Square One

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

By: Keith Mines

After months of fraught negotiations and diplomacy between the Maduro regime, Venezuela’s opposition and the international community, Venezuelans finally cast their votes in the country’s presidential elections this past Sunday. Polls had consistently shown opposition candidate Edmundo González on route toward a landslide victory — and data from election day revealed voters were poised to end more than a decade of President Nicolás Maduro’s grip on the country.

Type: Question and Answer

Democracy & Governance

View All Publications