IGE President Chris Seiple speaks at a briefing for congressional staff members

IGE President Dr. Chris Seiple was a featured speaker at a briefing on 16 July 2009 for Congressional staff members on US policy toward the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region.  Dr. Seiple emphasized the need to understand Pashtun Islamic conceptions of justice in order to fortify local governance and defeat extremism.  The briefing, sponsored by USAsian, a non-partisan advocacy organization, was well-attended by a diverse and eager audience, including staff from the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee for Oversight and Government Reform. Dr. Seiple was joined by Selig Harrison, journalist, author, and Director of Asia Programs at the Center for International Policy.