Project

EastWest Council of Advisors on Track II Diplomacy

Advancing Stimson’s Track II diplomatic engagement as a critical method for achieving international peace and security

About the Project

Stimson’s EastWest Council of Advisors on Track II Diplomacy was established to advance ongoing Track II efforts of Stimson researchers in the U.S. and Europe and build on the legacy of the EastWest Institute. Council Members represent diverse backgrounds and are committed to Track II diplomatic engagement as a critical method for achieving international peace and security.

Project Team

A. Chehreghani

A. G. Noorani

Aabha Dixit

Aadil Brar

Aaron Young

Abdelkader Abderrahmane

Abdi Aynte

Abdul Mannan
Abdulla Ibrahim

Abdulla Ibrahim

Former Nonresident Fellow

Abdullah Ar Rafee

Abdullah F. Alrebh

Abdulrahman Al-Thani

Abhishank Mishra

Abigail Aryaputra Sudarman

Responsible AI Fellow

Abiodun Modupe

Responsible AI Fellow

Abiral Khatri

Adam Alqali

Adam Day

Adam Giansiracusa

Former Intern, Regional Voices Program

Adhaviti Nitin Deshmukh

Adil Sultan

Aditi Gorur

Nonresident Fellow

Aditi Malhotra

Aditi Sharma

Former Research Associate

Adnan Tabatabai

CEO of CARPO

Adriana Erthal Abdenur

Nonresident Fellow

Adrienne Cuffley

Former Communications and Digital Content Manager

Adrienne Dunsing

Former Senior Development Officer

Adrienne Stith Butler

Afaq Hussain

Afeera Firdous

South Asia Program Visiting Fellow

Afrah Nasser

Agnieszka Paczynska

Former Nonresident Fellow

Ahmad Bunnia

Ahmad Raheb Radfar

Former Research Assistant

Ahsan Butt

Former Nonresident Fellow

Ajay Gondane

Akanksha Khullar

SAV Contributor

Akanksha Narain

Akankshya Ray

Akihiro Furusho

Former Nonresident Fellow

Akintunde Ifeanyichukwu Agunbiade

Responsible AI Fellow

Akriti (Vasudeva) Kalyankar

Fellow

Akshobh Giridharadas

Alan Basist

President, Eyes on Earth

Alan Cooper

Former Nonresident Fellow

Alan D. Romberg

Former Distinguished Fellow

Alan Platt

Former defense policy consultant for Henry L. Stimson Center

Alana Ballagh

Albert Cho

Loomis Council Member

Albert Trithart

Alec Bohlman

Alec Evans

Alessandro Perri

Alex Bollfrass

Former Nonresident Fellow

Alex Hatoum

Looms Council Member

Alex Hopkins

Former Research Associate

Alex Reed

Former Research Associate

Alex Ruiz

Former Loomis Council Member

Alex Stolar

Former Scoville Fellow

Alexander Dynkin

Alexander Farley

Former Research Analyst

Alexander Georgieff

Former Research Associate

Alexander Langlois

Alexandra de La Trobe

Nonresident Fellow

Alexis Bonnell

Former Loomis Council Member Distinguished Fellow

Alfredo Labbe

Former Nonresident Fellow

Ali Afshari

Ali Al-Mawlawi

Ali Alkış

Ali Dadpay

Ali Mousavi Khalkahli

Ali Mustafa

South Asia Program Visiting Fellow

Ali Wyne

Alice Hill

Alice Maroni

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

Alicia Nicholls

Alimi Salifou

Alina Zyszkowski

Former Director of Development

Alison Giffen

Former Senior Associate

Alistair Millar

Former Affiliate

Alix Boucher

Former Research Fellow

Alla Polyakova

Former Program Management Specialist

Allen Collinsworth

Allen Moore

Former Senior Advisor

Allie Kirchner

Former Intern, South Asia Program

Allison Carr

Former Research Associate

Allison Pytlak

Senior Fellow and Director

Allison Smith

Former Operations Coordinator

Ally Meyers

Operations Assistant

Alton Frye

Board of Directors, Emeritus

Alyssa Withrow

Amanda Klasing

Amanda Shaver

Former Research Associate (former)

Amara Thiha

Nonresident Fellow, China Program

Amarda Shehu

Amb. Jeffrey DeLaurentis 

Distinguished Fellow

Amb. Joey R. Hood

Amb. W. Patrick Murphy

Ambassador of the United States to Cambodia

Ambassador (ret.) Barbara K. Bodine

Research & Writing

Chapter

The Misalignment Between Chinese and African Peacemaking: The Case of Ethiopia’s Tigray Crisis

China’s engagement during the Tigray crisis from November 2020 to November 2022 prioritized state stability and economic interests, clashing with African mediation norms.
April 6, 2026

Issue Brief

Making the Most of America’s Mega-Decade of Sports

Considering the diplomatic opportunities and risks of hosting the world’s biggest sporting events.
March 20, 2026

Report

The Power of US Cultural Diplomacy

Examining methods for utilizing U.S. culture for diplomatic engagement.
December 2, 2025

Commentary

What Kind of US Security Partner Will the EU Be?

As the U.S. steps back from Europe’s security, is the EU prepared and well placed to pick up the slack?
November 14, 2025

Report

Mekong-U.S. Partnership Track 1.5 Policy Dialogue on Food and Agriculture Trade and Investment

This conference summary report highlights gaps and opportunities for collaboration on challenges related to food and agriculture trade and investment.
September 26, 2025

Report

Mekong-U.S. Partnership Track 1.5 Policy Dialogue on Digital Economy

This conference summary report highlights gaps and opportunities for collaboration on challenges related to digital transformation.
September 23, 2025

Issue Brief

Scenarios for US Foreign Aid in 2035

Examining possible directions for U.S. assistance and their geopolitical consequences.
September 19, 2025

Commentary

How to Deal with Trump at UNGA 80

While U.S. hostility toward the United Nations ahead of the UN General Assembly has provoked a funding and identity crisis for the institution, it might also spark debate over reforming the UN to make it fit for a 21st century purpose.
September 19, 2025

Commentary

Restraint Towards Iran Serves US Interests

The Trump administration risks undermining U.S. security if it follows Israel into war.
June 18, 2025

Video

Artificial Intelligence at the United Nations with Ambassador Christopher Lu

Amb. Lu discusses how his wide-ranging career led him to representing the United States at the United Nations.
June 2, 2025

Policy Memo

The Future of the U.S.-Moldova Partnership

How Moldova and the United States can build a stronger partnership for a shared future.
April 10, 2025

Report

Mekong-U.S. Partnership Track 1.5 Policy Dialogue on Countering Scam Operations

This conference summary report highlights opportunities for collaboration through the Mekong-U.S. Partnership related to countering online scam operations.
April 2, 2025

Video

The Opening of Cuba with Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis

Amb. DeLaurentis details his part in the opening of Cuba and the consequences of the United States again cutting ties.
March 18, 2025

Video

Transforming the Relationship with Vietnam with Ambassador Ted Osius

Amb. Ted Osius discusses how connecting with people across Vietnam helped build ties with the country.
March 18, 2025

Video

The Tanker Wars with Ambassador Barbara Bodine

Amb. Bodine speaks about the effort to coordinate an international response to attacks on tankers in the Persian Gulf
March 18, 2025

Commentary

State Department Reform Under the Second Trump Administration

Experts outline insights to improve U.S. diplomacy and modernize State Department operations.
March 6, 2025

Commentary

Aid That Works: Enhancing US Support for Civil Society Organizations

Examining how reimagined policies can drive long-needed reforms to U.S. aid.
January 30, 2025

Policy Memo

Think Small to Win Big in the Indo-Pacific

The next administration should lean into smaller, more flexible alignments and issue-based coalitions and lead more with economics and diplomacy rather than military and security policies.
November 21, 2024

Policy Memo

Elevate Diplomacy in the Foreign Policy Toolkit

If the trend of increasing conflict is to be reversed, the United States needs an emboldened approach to diplomacy.
November 20, 2024

Report

Broken Pivot: Examining Changes to the U.S. Diplomatic Footprint in the Indo-Pacific

The United States has not invested in nor deployed the diplomatic resources necessary to advance its interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
November 14, 2024

Commentary

The State of US Foreign Policy in the Vance-Walz VP Debate

Stimson experts analyzed the Democratic and Republican tickets’ stated foreign policy priorities – and explored what might be read between the lines
October 2, 2024

Chapter

Chinese Peacemaking Efforts in Afghanistan

China has attempted to mediate Afghanistan’s conflicts at various stages, even as China’s global status and roles changed over the decades.
September 23, 2024

Commentary

Foreign Policy Priorities in the September 2024 Presidential Debate

Stimson experts decode Trump and Harris foreign policy priorities — or lack thereof — in Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific, and more.
September 11, 2024

Commentary

Domestic Engagement is Needed in State Department Modernization

More needs to be done by the State Department to connect with the American public to develop a broad constituency that supports its diplomatic efforts.
September 9, 2024

Commentary

Chapter 4: The Pact for the Future and the Intergenerational Multiplier Effect

Considering the current actions in the Pact for the Future and Declaration on Future Generations through the lens of the intergenerational multiplier effect
September 5, 2024

Commentary

Chapter 1: SOTF & Sustainable Development

The UN’s Summit of the Future can help right-size aspirations and expectations on the Sustainable Development Goals.
September 5, 2024

Resource

TRANSCRIPT – Inside High-Stakes Negotiations: A Conversation with Hostage Negotiator Mickey Bergman on Freeing Captured Americans Abroad

Hostage negotiator, Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, CEO, and author Mickey Bergman joins the Stimson Center to discuss his recently released book on high-profile rescues of American citizens around the world.
August 2, 2024

Chapter

Chinese Counterterrorism in Africa

Chinese approaches to counterterrorism in Africa show complex interactions between state and nonstate actors.
July 31, 2024

Commentary

2024 Showdown: Expert Insights from the Presidential Debates

Stimson experts weigh in on the recent China-Japan-South Korea Ninth Trilateral Summit and what it means for Northeast Asia.
June 28, 2024

Chapter

China as a Mediator in North Korea: Facilitating Dialogues or Mediating Conflicts?

North Korea presents a useful case study to examine the ways that China’s interests, risk aversion, and process building drive its engagement in mediation.
June 5, 2024

Commentary

Agrivoltaics in Vietnam

Agrivoltaics, or co-development of solar power and agriculture, provide an innovative solution to meet Vietnam’s rapidly rising electricity demand.
May 20, 2024

Chapter

China’s Strategic Facilitation in the Persian Gulf Security Crisis

China seeks to balance diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran to serve its broader strategic interests.
May 10, 2024

Report

Mekong-US Partnership Track 1.5 Policy Dialogue on Fisheries, Agriculture, and Food Security Summary Report

This conference summary report highlights opportunities for collaboration through the Mekong-U.S. Partnership related to fisheries, agriculture, and food security.
May 8, 2024

Chapter

China’s Shifting Role in Yemen

China has shifted its role in Yemen to align more closely with Saudi Arabia, while maintaining a narrative of facilitation
January 31, 2024

Chapter

China’s Conflict Resolution and Mediation Approach in Mali

China takes a cautious approach to conflict mediation in the Sahel, where there are high political risks and lower economic/security interests.
January 26, 2024

Commentary

Funding the Third Pillar: Financing Human Rights at the UN

Human rights receives only 4% of the UN’s assessed regular budget, leaving significant room for US financial leadership — if they choose to take it.
December 8, 2023

Commentary

Kissinger’s Very Mixed Legacy of Brilliance and Brutality

Brilliant, paranoid, ruthless are only a few words that come to mind when examining the mixed legacy of Henry Kissinger
November 30, 2023

Report

Mekong-US Partnership Track 1.5 Policy Dialogue on Transboundary Water Governance Summary Report

This conference summary report highlights opportunities for collaboration through the Mekong – U.S. Partnership related to transboundary water governance
September 28, 2023

Policy Memo

Proposing a US Diplomatic Posture Review

The State Department needs a process to distribute its experts to the places they are needed most.
March 9, 2023

Commentary

Hits & Strikes From Biden’s First Two Years

Reckoning with the past two years, looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities of the second half of the first term.
January 23, 2023

Policy Memo

Looking South: Adapting US policy toward the Global South in a time of change

To maintain its standing in the international system and foster cooperation on global issues, the United States needs to revamp its strategy of engagement with smaller and emerging powers.
January 18, 2023

Policy Memo

US-Africa Leaders Summit: What Can Washington Learn From the Dakar Forum

Some lessons from the Dakar Forum for the Biden Administration ahead of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit.
January 3, 2023

Commentary

Evaluating Africa’s strategic partnerships

October 29, 2022

Report

Mekong – US Partnership Track 1.5 Policy Dialogue Summary Report on Human Resources and Capacity Building

This conference summary report highlights opportunities for collaboration through the Mekong – U.S. Partnership on human resources and capacity building needs
October 27, 2022

Field Note

Afghanistan Under the Taliban: Findings on the Current Situation

From-the-ground analysis of Afghanistan’s internal and external relations new leadership
October 20, 2022

Commentary

Biden and the United Nations Security Council reform: true commitment or tokenism?

The US government will have to show concrete forms of commitment for its call for UNSC expansion to be credible.
October 5, 2022

Policy Paper

Jordan-China Relations: Taking Stock of Bilateral Relations at 45 Years

At 45 years of diplomatic relations, China-Jordan relations are full of rhetorical grandeur but impeded by strategic miscalculations.
August 24, 2022

Op-Ed

How Biden’s Middle East Trip Can Address the China Challenge

The key challenge for Biden is to reaffirm a historically rock-solid partnership network at a time of pressing global challenges in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific, originally published in The National Interest.
July 8, 2022

Policy Memo

Engagement Reframed #8: How to avoid anarchy in space

Given the challenges of space and space governance, some degree of cooperation with China on civil space activities will almost certainly be necessary and need not compromise national security.
June 16, 2022

Report

Mekong-US Partnership Track 1.5 Policy Dialogue Summary Report on Connectivity

This conference summary report highlights opportunities for collaboration through the Mekong –U.S. Partnership on connectivity issues
June 13, 2022

Sub-Projects

There are no subprojects associated with this project.

Events

Load More

Stimson’s EastWest Council of Advisors on Track II Diplomacy was established to advance ongoing Track II efforts of Stimson researchers in the U.S. and Europe and build on the legacy of the EastWest Institute. Council Members represent diverse backgrounds and are committed to Track II diplomatic engagement as a critical method for achieving international peace and security.

The Council reviews and advises ongoing Track II work at Stimson, helps identify new opportunities for engagement, and supports networking opportunities on behalf of Stimson’s researchers. In addition to meeting twice annually to formally review existing programs, Council Members work in an ongoing capacity to identify new opportunities that contribute to Stimson’s mission.

Council Members