Elias Yousif
Deputy Director, Security Assistance Monitor
twitter: @EliasDJyousif
email: eyousif [at] internationalpolicy [dot] org
phone: (202) 232-3317
Deputy Director, Security Assistance Monitor
twitter: @EliasDJyousif
email: eyousif [at] internationalpolicy [dot] org
phone: (202) 232-3317
security assistance | Middle East | harm to civilians - casualties, human rights, development
Elias Yousif is Deputy Director at the Center for International Policy (CIP), where he analyzes the impact of U.S. arms transfer and security assistance programs on international security, U.S. foreign policy, and global human rights practices.
Yousif has substantial experience working on armed conflict research, international security, and civilian protection issues, both in Washington, D.C. and in the Middle East. Prior to joining CIP, Elias was the Campaigns and Research Officer with Crisis Action in Beirut, Lebanon, where he worked on advocacy and policy proposals to improve civilian protection, humanitarian access, and conflict resolution in Syria, Yemen, and South Sudan. He also worked with Crisis Action in Washington, D.C. as a Campaigns and Advocacy Associate, where he worked directly with government officials in Congress, the State Department, and White House on conflict and civilian protection developments in the Middle East and North Africa.
In addition to his work at CIP, Yousif has been featured as an opinion contributor on Middle East and arms control issues in media outlets including Newsweek, The Hill, Defense One, InkStick Media, and Responsible Statecraft. Yousif graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2013 from American University’s School of International Service with a B.A. in International Studies and has studied Arabic at the American University of Beirut.
Elias Yousif is Deputy Director at the Center for International Policy (CIP), where he analyzes the impact of U.S. arms transfer and security assistance programs on international security, U.S. foreign policy, and global human rights practices.
Yousif has substantial experience working on armed conflict research, international security, and civilian protection issues, both in Washington, D.C. and in the Middle East. Prior to joining CIP, Elias was the Campaigns and Research Officer with Crisis Action in Beirut, Lebanon, where he worked on advocacy and policy proposals to improve civilian protection, humanitarian access, and conflict resolution in Syria, Yemen, and South Sudan. He also worked with Crisis Action in Washington, D.C. as a Campaigns and Advocacy Associate, where he worked directly with government officials in Congress, the State Department, and White House on conflict and civilian protection developments in the Middle East and North Africa.
In addition to his work at CIP, Yousif has been featured as an opinion contributor on Middle East and arms control issues in media outlets including Newsweek, The Hill, Defense One, InkStick Media, and Responsible Statecraft. Yousif graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2013 from American University’s School of International Service with a B.A. in International Studies and has studied Arabic at the American University of Beirut.
Recent publications:
- "Demystifying End-Use Monitoring in U.S. Arms Exports," Security Assistance Monitor, Center for Civilians in Conflict & Stimson Center, September 2021.*
- "The Expanding Scope of U.S. Security Assistance Since 9/11," Security Assistance Monitor, September 2021*
- "Issue Brief: The Arms Left Behind in Afghanistan," Security Assistance Monitor, September 2021.
- "US trained Khashoggi's killers. A review of all military training programs is necessary" CNN, August 30, 2021.*
- "Why American Security Cooperation Must Become More Transparent," The National Interest, August 2, 2021.*
- "Issue Brief: Israel's Exceptional Security Partnership with Washington," Security Assistance Monitor, June 2021.
- "Ever-shifting Goalposts: Lessons From 20 Years of Security Assistance in Afghanistan," Security Assistance Monitor, June 2021.*
- "Enduring U.S. Support for Saudi-Led Operations in Yemen," Security Assistance Monitor, June 2021.
- "Factsheet: US Arms Sales and Security Assistance to Israel," Security Assistance Monitor, May 12, 2021.
- “Afghanistan’s Own Security Forces Will Soon Take Over, Ready or Not,” The Baraza, April 27, 2021.
- “Factsheet: U.S. Security Assistance in the Sahel,” Security Assistance Monitor, April 2021.*
- "U.S. Arms Sales Trends, 2020 and Beyond: From Trump to Biden," Security Assistance Monitor, April 7, 2021.*
- "Biden should reverse Trump's bombs sales to Saudi Arabia," The Hill, January 17, 2021.*
- "When exceptions become the rule, 'forever wars' result," with Dan Mahanty, The Hill, December 8, 2020.
- "The UAE’s Role in the Yemen War, 2015 to Present,” Security Assistance Monitor, December 3, 2020.*
* indicates additional authors