International Crisis Group

International Crisis Group
Name	International Crisis Group
Founded	0 1995
Founder	Morton Abramowitz, Mark Malloch Brown
Type	Non-governmental organization
Focus	Conflict prevention, peacebuilding
Headquarters	Brussels, Belgium
Key people	Comfort Ero (President & CEO)
Website	crisisgroup.org

International Crisis Group is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to preventing and resolving deadly conflict. Founded in 1995, it conducts field research and analysis to provide early warning and policy solutions to governments and intergovernmental bodies like the United Nations and the European Union. The organization is known for its authoritative reports and briefings on conflicts worldwide, aiming to influence decision-makers and inform public debate on critical international security issues.

History and founding

The organization was established in 1995 by a group of prominent figures including former U.S. Ambassador Morton Abramowitz and future United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown. Its creation was a direct response to the international community's failures in addressing the Rwandan genocide and the Bosnian War in the early 1990s. The founders aimed to build an entity that could provide rigorous, on-the-ground analysis to warn of impending crises and offer practical recommendations, filling a critical gap between intelligence agencies, academic institutions, and advocacy groups. Initial focus areas included the ongoing conflicts in the Balkans and the Great Lakes region of Africa.

Mission and objectives

The core mission is to prevent wars and shape policies that will build a more peaceful world. Its primary objectives include providing early warning of conflicts through continuous monitoring and field research in over 30 crisis-affected countries and regions. The organization develops detailed, actionable policy prescriptions aimed at governments, UN Security Council members, regional bodies like the African Union, and other influential actors. A key objective is to combine high-level advocacy with deep contextual knowledge, aiming to persuade decision-makers to adopt strategies that address root causes of violence rather than merely managing its symptoms.

Organizational structure and funding

Headquartered in Brussels, the organization maintains advocacy offices in Washington, D.C., New York City, and London, and has analysts based in regional hubs across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Its work is overseen by a Board of Trustees comprising senior former officials, diplomats, and business leaders. Funding is sourced from governments of countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as from foundations such as the Open Society Foundations and the Ford Foundation, and private donations. It maintains a strict policy of not accepting funding from any source that could compromise its independence or impartiality.

Key publications and reports

The organization produces a steady stream of public reports, briefings, and commentaries that are widely cited in policy circles and media. Its flagship products include in-depth "Crisis Group Reports" offering comprehensive analysis and recommendations on specific conflicts, such as those in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Yemen. Regular "Briefings" and "Conflict Alerts" provide timely updates on escalating situations. The organization also publishes "CrisisWatch," a monthly global conflict tracker, and hosts podcasts like "The Horn" focusing on the Greater Horn of Africa. These publications are distributed directly to policymakers at the UN, the European Commission, and national capitals.

Notable figures and leadership

The organization has been led by several distinguished individuals since its inception. Its first President was former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans, who served from 2000 to 2009. He was succeeded by Louise Arbour, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Subsequent presidents include Jean-Marie Guéhenno, former UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, and Robert Malley, a former U.S. official and Middle East expert. As of 2024, the President and CEO is Comfort Ero, a seasoned expert on African politics and former staff member. The Board of Trustees has included figures like George Soros, Thomas R. Pickering, and Christine Lagarde.

Impact and recognition

The organization is frequently cited as an authoritative voice in international media outlets like the BBC, The New York Times, and Reuters. Its recommendations have directly influenced policy debates and decisions, including shaping discussions on sanctions regimes, peacekeeping mandates, and diplomatic initiatives in conflicts from Colombia to the Korean Peninsula. Analysts regularly brief the UN Security Council, the European Parliament, and national legislatures. The organization's work has been recognized through awards and its consistent high rankings in surveys of global think tanks, particularly in the categories of foreign policy and conflict resolution.

Category:International non-profit organizations Category:Peace organizations Category:Think tanks based in Belgium Category:Organizations established in 1995