129: Karl Eikenberry: Fighting Extremism in Fragile States—From Crisis Response to Prevention

Apr 10, 2019

What can we do to prevent violent extremism and promote peace in the world? For some—such as Karl Eikenberry, former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan—the answer comes through understanding. Eikenberry drew on his thirty-five year career in the United States Army to lead a discussion about the role of diplomacy and development in addressing the root causes of conflict.

Joining him was Najia Hyder, Mercy Corps Regional director for Caucasus, and Central and South Asia. Eikenberry shared insight from his recent work on the United States Institute of Peace’s Task Force on Extremism in Fragile States, a congressionally authorized commission charged with identifying effective interventions to prevent violent extremist ideologies and terrorism. After Eikenberry and Hyder’s talk, Starbucks Executive Vice President and Mercy Corps board member Lucy Lee Helm took the stage to offer closing remarks. Join Eikenberry, Hyder, and Helm in a conversation that explored effective solutions for confronting and intervening against violent extremism on a global scale.

Karl Eikenberry is the former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan and senior U.S. diplomat to Kabul. He is the current Director of the U.S.-Asia Security Initiative at the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center.

Najia Hyder has served with Mercy Corps for over 13 years, and has filled the role of Regional Director in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Caucasus, and Central and South Asia.

Lucy Lee Helm is the Starbucks Executive Vice President and Chief Partner Officer, as well as a board member of Mercy Corps. She serves on the board of the Washington YMCA Youth & Government Program, on the advisory board of Disability Rights Advocates, and as the co-chair for the Campaign for Equal Justice.

Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Mercy Corps. Community Partner: GlobalWA

Recorded live at The Summit by Town Hall Seattle on March 28, 2019.