ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr . David Alpher was a Research Professor of Peace and Stability Operations at the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute . Dr . Alpher has 15 years ’ experience implementing field programs within conflict affected and fragile environments in other organizations . As a district manager and then Chief of Party , he has led youth engagement and IDP reintegration programs in Iraq , also managing the civil-military engagements within a complex R & S operation ; facilitated back-channel dialogues in Israel and the Palestinian Territories ; led conflict analysis missions in Nepal and Ethiopia ; and backstopped a range of peacebuilding and development programs throughout Africa and the Middle East . In addition to this programmatic expertise , he holds an MS and PhD in conflict analysis and resolution , focusing on the comparative effect of democratization vs . poverty alleviation as the pillar of international development policy . Dr . Alpher is also the Washington Head of Office and Advocacy Manager for Saferworld , which he joined in 2013 as the organization ’ s first permanent representative in the US , leading advocacy efforts to shape US foreign policy , and publishing extensively on a range of issues related to peacebuilding and conflict resolution . He is also a veteran of the United States Army .
v