Welcome from the Executive Director
There is no shortage of think tanks and research centers in the United States devoted to the study of foreign affairs and defence and security policy. And yet the Washington office of the IISS answers a very particular US demand for international perspective and insight. The IISS is, after all, a truly global membership organization. It has fully active offices in North America, Europe and Asia – with other regional offices planned. Its staff is highly international. This cosmopolitanism is expressed in definite ways. The IISS does not approach policy questions from narrow, national angles, nor does it champion or advocate policies. But it does deliver sharp, prescient and dispassionate analysis that draws on regional and global frames of reference. And it values facts over opinion, and foresight over commentary.
Equipped with these international traits and resources, the Washington office of the IISS exists to conduct research on foreign policy questions that are – or might become – of particular interest to US audiences. By way of example, in late 2008, the Washington and London offices of the IISS launched a Transatlantic Dialogue on Climate Change and Security that will also draw in participants from India and China. We plan to replicate this approach with regard to other policy questions.
A crucial audience for us is that of our expanding US-based IISS Membership, comprised of Individuals and a growing number of Corporations. This Membership, which has the features of an interacting professional, intellectual and also social network, is drawn together through a series of discussion meetings, publication launches and special events in Washington DC. We are always pleased to hear from our Membership and even more pleased to add to its ranks.
The non-partisan approach and international reach of the IISS makes the Washington office well suited to act as a convener of private meetings that bring together leading representatives of the US-based diplomatic community, senior US foreign policy officials and representatives from Capitol Hill to consider and share views on pressing security issues ‘in the round’. One such example is the regular series of IISS Ambassadors Forums.
The IISS-US is a 501 ( c ) (3) organization and we work to attract sponsorships, grants and gifts to sustain our operations and research, both locally and internationally. Tax-exempt donations and grants can be transacted in a variety of ways, accompanied by a number of benefits, and we are very grateful for any support offered.
I hope you will find the IISS-US webpages useful, and that you will return regularly to them to hear about new initiatives and activities in the months ahead.
Dr Andrew Parasiliti, Executive Director, IISS-US
