(Washington, D.C.) — A. Wess Mitchell is joining the United States Institute of Peace as a senior advisor with a focus on Russia and conflict prevention and resolution. As assistant secretary, he developed and implemented U.S. policy toward Russia and the other 49 countries of Europe and Eurasia, as well as NATO, the EU and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. 

“I am delighted that Wess is joining us as a senior advisor,” said USIP President Nancy Lindborg. “With his recent high-level diplomatic experience, Wess will be an invaluable asset to the team as we focus on Russia’s role in conflicts in neighboring and fragile states. I sincerely look forward to working with him in the year ahead.”

USIP senior advisors serve the president and Institute leaders regarding specific trends and strategic interests. A senior advisor’s scope of work is highly customized and may include research, publication, program consultation, and representing the Institute at high-level forums.

"I am very pleased to join USIP as a senior advisor,” said Mitchell. “I look forward to working with USIP colleagues to understand Russia’s role in local conflicts so to prevent and resolve them."

Prior to joining the State Department, Wess co-founded and served as president and CEO of the Center for European Policy Analysis. His work on international security has been translated into more than a dozen languages. He has authored three books, including most recently Unquiet Frontier: Rising Rivals, Vulnerable Allies and the Future of American Power (with Jakub J. Grygiel) and The Grand Strategy of the Habsburg Empire. Wess holds a doctorate in political science from Freie Universität in Berlin and a master’s degree in German and European Studies from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.