Victoria K. Holt

Senior Associate

Victoria K. Holt is a Senior Associate at the Henry L. Stimson Center, where she co-directs the Future of Peace Operations program, which addresses US policy and international capacity for advancing security and stability in war-torn societies. Her recent studies include publications on the protection of civilians by military forces, targeted sanctions, US policy on peacekeeping, African capacities and rule of law aspects of peace operations. She led the expert group on military options of the Genocide Prevention Task Force, co-chaired by Madeleine Albright and William Cohen, which offered recommendations in December 2008 to the President to enhance the US ability to address threats of genocide and mass atrocities.

Holt joined the Center in 2001, bringing policy and political expertise from professional experience within the State Department, Congress, and non-governmental organizations. She previously served as Senior Policy Advisor at the State Department (Legislative Affairs), focusing on peacekeeping and UN issues. Ms. Holt also worked as a senior Congressional staffer for seven years, focusing on defense and foreign policy issues for members of the House Armed Services Committee. As Executive Director of the Emergency Coalition for US Financial Support of the United Nations, she directed a bipartisan coalition of leading statesmen and non-governmental organizations. She has worked for other Washington-based policy institutes on international affairs. A graduate of the Naval War College, Ms. Holt also holds a BA (with honors) from Wesleyan University.

The Future of Peace Operations program evaluates and helps to advance both US policy and international capacity for peace operations. The program explores both peacekeeping, the provision of temporary, post-conflict security and stability by internationally-mandated forces, and peacebuilding, international efforts, including post-conflict reconstruction, that help war-torn societies sustain peace and build the rule of law.