Throughout its history, CSPC has led programs on a range of national and international issues.
Advancing Trust and Reconciliation among Palestinians and Israelis
In 2007, the Center began an informal diplomatic effort to aid in the reestablishment of trust between Israel and the Palestinian territories. Conceived by Representative Frank Wolf and endorsed by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the Center worked on fostering socio-economic development, improving health care collaboration, and synergizing both Israeli and Palestinian technological efforts.
Afghanistan Study Group
The Afghanistan Study Group was a concentrated study group lead by the Center and prominent experts on the region and foreign policy, and released its report on Capitol Hill in January 2008. The goal of the AFG was to provide policy makers with key recommendations that would lead to a revitalization of the United States’ and international community’s commitment to Afghanistan.
Crisis Leadership
A seminar series in December 2006, Crisis Leadership: Securing Societies, Protecting Homelands, aimed to address public leadership reactions post-crises, initiated CSPC’s Crisis Leadership program. In March 2007, the Center hosted its second seminar of Crisis Leadership at the Capitol with the goal of navigating the politics of crisis leadership by building off the previous conference’s findings.
European Exchange Program
Strengthening Multi-Lateral Leadership: A European Exchange Program was started by the Center in the fall of 2008 in an effort to improve transatlantic relations. The program brought 14 young leaders from positions of policy planning in European governments to Washington, DC, to meet experts involved in the 2009 and past Presidential transitions. Participants returned in the spring of 2009 to evaluate the progression of the transition through the first 100 days of the Obama Administration.
Homeland Security Roundtables
Beginning with off-the-record dialogues sponsored for then-incoming Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, the Center has continued to sponsor roundtable discussions concerning homeland security featuring think tanks, universities and business leaders.
Iraq Study Group
Initially begun as a “Fresh Eyes on Iraq” Task Force, the Iraq Study Group (ISG) was formally announced on Capitol Hill in 2006 with the support of Senators and Congressmen from both sides of the aisle. The Center helped garner this support, aided in the formation of Expert Working Groups to provide an analysis of the political situation with Iraq, and traveled to Europe to relay its findings to senior officials in the British government, NATO, and the European Union. Final ISG recommendations were issued to the White House in December of 2006.
Nuclear Defense Working Group (link)
The Center-sponsored Nuclear Defense Working Group (NDWG) was a series of meetings and working group sessions amongst technology, science, and policy experts aimed at improving U.S. efforts to prevent and/or defend against clandestine nuclear attacks. The NDWG began in May 2007, and the findings are currently being shared with Congressional leaders and senior staff.
Project on National Security Reform
Building on its 2001 Comprehensive Strategic Reform, the Center began sponsoring the Project on National Security Reform in 2006. PNSR’s goal was to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the national security system through a series of case studies and proceedings. The PNSR has since become an independent organization led by James R. Locher III.
