In the wake of the recent political unrest in Kyrgyzstan, longtime IREX alumnus and Stetson University professor Eugene Huskey provided expert testimony to the US Congress on April 22. On the panel titled “Crisis in Kyrgyzstan: Fuel, Contracts, and Revolution along the Afghan Supply Chain,” Huskey drew on his experience and expertise within the region to inform the Congressional Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs of any possible impact the events in Kyrgyzstan may have on the supply chain for the US and NATO efforts in Afghanistan. To watch a video broadcast of the hearing or to download Huskey’s written statement, please visit http://bit.ly/bid0BP [10].
Huskey has been the recipient of a number of IREX fellowships beginning in 1979. His most recent IREX fellowship was a Short-Term Travel Grant in July and August of 2008 in Kyrgyzstan, where he did research for his project entitled, “Why Opposition Elites Fail to Cooperate? Kyrgyzstan and the Postcommunist Experience.” This, along with the other fellowships Huskey has received over the past three decades, helped to inform and strengthen his congressional testimony.
The Short-Term Travel Grant that funded Huskey’s research in Kyrgyzstan is one of IREX’s six Title VIII-funded US Scholar Programs. The primary purpose of the Title VIII program is to develop a cadre of US experts in Eastern Europe and Eurasia that can provide information to US government officials, a role Huskey was able to fill on short notice given the brevity of the issue in question. Through its Title VIII programs, IREX funds the research of nearly 60 area specialists each year.
Huskey’s 2008 STG research report, as well as other pertinent research from the region can be accessed on IREX’s US Scholar Programs web page.
* Photo courtesy of Dr. Eugene Huskey
