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April/May 2009
Homeland Security Policy Institute Addresses National Threats
By Jamie Freedman The September 11 terrorist
attacks ushered in an era of
unprecedented security
challenges in the United States and
around the globe. GW is confronting
the vexing array of national and
transnational threats head on through
the fast-growing Homeland Security
Policy Institute (HSPI). Established in 2003, HSPI has
quickly garnered a reputation as a
national leader in homeland security
policy analysis and debate. The interdisciplinary
institute, led by Director “Universities have a responsibility
to shed more light than heat on these
pressing issues facing us and to provide
insights into the way forward,” says
Cilluffo, an international counterterrorism
expert who joined GW from
the White House, where he served as
special assistant to the president for
homeland security. “We pride urselves Kaniewski, too, comes to GW direct
from three years at the White House,
most recently as special assistant to
the president for homeland security
and senior director for response policy.
A firefighter and paramedic by
training and an authority on domestic “Frank and I are a great tag team,”
says Kaniewski, who co-founded the
institute in 2003 and was thrilled to
return to it last August. “HSPI has
grown tremendously in staff size,
budget, and scope of work over the past
few years. The institute is now renowned Cilluffo and Kaniewski head up a
team of six policy analysts working on
a wide range of issues across the disciplines. “We have an outstanding group
who provide a broad array of expertise
to HSPI,” says Cilluffo. The staff is
supported in its efforts by a steering
committee, corps of senior fellows, and
international network of homeland
security experts who provide strategic
direction. “We draw on top subject
matter experts around the world to do
some of our intellectual heavy lifting,”
he says. “HSPI prides itself on leading
discussions that are often placed in
the ‘too hard’ category and on looking
at these tough issues more broadly
and holistically. I’m proud of the
fact that we’ve become a trusted
force across nations, political divides,
and disciplines.” GW’s privileged location makes
the University an ideal base for the
institute, says Cilluffo. “GW has an
incredible amount to contribute to
the international dialogue, given our
unique position just a stone’s throw
from the White House, the State
Department and the American Red
Cross,” he says. “Inside government,
you’re working on the crisis du jour,
putting out fires without the luxury
of sitting back and reflecting on the The institute’s work reverberates
throughout the policy world. Its experts
regularly testify before congressional
committees and government commissions.
HSPI studies, including one
on the radicalization of individuals
within the prison system and another A case in point is the group’s
Ambassadors Roundtable Series, an
ongoing dialogue on international
counterterrorism efforts that has
hosted more than 30 ambassadors The institute also coordinates
forums spotlighting new policy solutions
and innovative research. “Our
Policy & Research Forums feature
leading policymakers, academics, and
researchers from the United States and
abroad who share their insights,” Cilluffo “HSPI brings great attention to
the University through our unique
programs focusing on current and
future threats to the nation,” says
Kaniewski. “Our vision is to continue For further information, visit HSPI’s Web site at homelandsecurity.gwu.edu, e-mail hspi@gwu.edu, or call 202-994-0295.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu |
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