News

Lessons from Kirkuk for Mosul and Nineveh Province
By David L. Phillips, Director of the Program on Peace-building and Human Rights
Thursday, December 1, 2016

David L. Phillips writes that lessons drawn from Kirkuk can inform plans to stabilize Mosul and Nineveh province after Mosul is liberated from the Islamic State. Kirkuk and the Niveveh province are both made up of diverse ethnic and sectarian groups. Phillips argues that plans for Mosul must be part of a larger plan for the entire Nineveh Province and the core of securing post-conflict stabilization is delivering services and establishing a decentralized government. 

President-Elect Trump Can End Syria’s Civil War
By David L. Phillips
Tuesday, November 22, 2016

David L. Phillips writes that the Trump administration can end Syria's Civil War, but aligning with Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad and Russia’s Vladimir Putin would have the exact opposite effect, entrenching Assad’s opponents and radicalize Syria’s Sunni majority. Phillips calls for the new administration to intensify pressure on the Islamic State through expanded assistance to Syrian Kurdish fighters, to encourage Russia to focus on jihadists rather than Syrian Democratic Forces, and to broker a ceasefire in Aleppo.

LT. GEN. Michael T. Flynn: “Gun for Hire”
By David L. Phillips
Wednesday, November 16, 2016

David L. Phillips writes that Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, a Trump national security adviser, has been paid by Turkish money laundered through a Dutch company to lobby on behalf of the Turkish government. Phillips states that Flynn’s conduct raises ethical questions and casts doubt on his suitability for public office.

Phillips is Director of the Program on Peace-building and Rights at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights. He served as a Senior Adviser and Foreign Affairs Expert to the State Department during the Clinton, Bush, and Obama administrations.

Pro-Active Security
Finding the Balance between Preemption and Prevention
Wednesday, November 16, 2016

David L. Phillips delivered a TEDx Talk on countering violent extremism through pro-active security, balancing preemption and prevention, using both hard and soft power.

Phillips is currently Director of the Program on Peace-building and Rights at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights. Phillips has worked as a senior adviser to the United Nations Secretariat and as a foreign affairs expert and senior adviser to the U.S. Department of State. 

Elie Wiesel Memorial Lecture
Lecture by ISHR's David L. Phillips
Monday, November 7, 2016

Lecture by ISHR's David L. Phillips

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