Event Description:

Private security firms assist the U.S. government in the numerous peacekeeping, reconstruction and security missions, and their involvement shows no signs of diminishing. Yet as a result of events in Iraq, some in Congress have expressed hostility towards private security firms. How does employing private contractors in regions with active conflicts affect U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic efforts? How have current policies and practices evolved and have can they be improved in the future? What should the relationship be between the industry, Congress, and the rest of the U.S. government?

To discuss these questions and more, please join Doug Brooks, President of the International Peace Operations Association. To attend, please register by responding to events@ypfp.org

Doug Brooks
Doug Brooks is President of the International Peace Operations Association (IPOA), a nongovernmental, nonprofit, nonpartisan association of service companies dedicated to improving international peacekeeping, peace enforcement, humanitarian rescue, stabilization efforts and disaster relief through greater privatization. He is a specialist on private sector capabilities and African security issues and has written extensively on the regulation and constructive utilization of the private sector for international peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. Mr. Brooks has testified before the U.S. Congress, South African Parliament and to UN functions. He has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs including al Jazeera, the BBC, CBS News, NBC News, Fox News, CNN International, National Public Radio, the Diane Rehm show, Voice of America, SABC in South Africa and the Lehrer News Hour. He has lectured at numerous universities and colleges, including Georgetown University, the South African Defense College, and the Inter-American Defense College at Ft. McNair. Mr. Brooks is originally from Indiana and has a BA in History from Indiana University, an MA in History from Baylor University, with additional doctoral studies at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh. He has worked as a teacher in Kambuzuma Township in Harare, Zimbabwe, at the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the Institute of International Education, the International Management Development Institute in Pittsburgh and was an academic fellow at the South African Institute for International Affairs in 1999-2000.