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:
- "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,” with Bill Hartung, Security Assistance Monitor, December 3, 2020.
- "Exception(s) to the Rule(s): Civilian Harm, Oversight, and Accountability in the Shadow Wars," Center for Civilians in Conflict, Security Assistance Monitor, and Stimson Center, November 2020.*
- "Issue Brief: Major Arms Sales to the United Arab Emirates," Security Assistance Monitor, November 13, 2020.
- "Op-Ed: It's been 2 years since Khashoggi's killing. Why is Trump still enabling the Saudi regime?" Los Angeles Times, October 2, 2020.*
- "U.S. Security Assistance in the Maghreb," Security Assistance Monitor, October 1, 2020.
- "Beyond Performance: Lessons Learned from U.S. Security Assistance to Tunisia,"Security Assistance Monitor, July 22, 2020.
- "Congress Needs a Veto, Not a Notification, on Arms Sales," DefenseOne, July 17, 2020.*
- "Is America becoming a police state?" The Hill, June 26, 2020.
* indicates additional authors.