Laura A. Hall is currently the director for Near East and North Africa in the Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance at the U.S. Department of State. She was a 2009-2010 CFR IAF based at the Henry L. Stimson Center in the Budgeting for Foreign Affairs and Defense program. Prior to that, she was the division chief for civilian response operations training and doctrine in the office of the coordinator for reconstruction and stabilization (S/CRS) at the U.S. Department of State.
Previously, she was the director for stability operations in the relief, stabilization, and development directorate at the National Security Council from March 2006 to May 2008. She was the primary official at the White House responsible for implementing the President’s initiative on creating a civilian response corps. She also assisted the G8 Sherpa, was responsible for the NSC’s engagement on the International Affairs Budget, and supported the President’s development agenda.
Laura was the director of strategy and policy in the office of the coordinator for reconstruction and stabilization (S/CRS) at the U.S. Department of State from 2004 to 2006. She was responsible for Congressional relations and for institutionalizing processes for response management and interagency coordination, including leading the drafting of National Security Presidential Directive 44 “Management of Interagency Efforts Concerning Reconstruction and Stabilization.” From 2001 to 2004, she served on the Policy Coordination Staff of the Director General of the Foreign Service and Chief Human Capital Officer. Laura has also served in the Bureau of Political Military Affairs, the Bureau of Arms Control, and in Embassy Moscow.
She received her BA from the Honors College at the University of South Carolina and MPP from the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy. She is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Gordon Adams and Laura A. Hall discuss how to balance strengthening U.S. democracy and development against the reality of budget restraint.
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Laura A. Hall discusses the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR).
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Laura A. Hall argues that investment of real leadership in enduring civilian capabilities and better management practices as well as in international burdensharing will determine better ways to ensure effective U.S. government operations.
See more in Defense Policy and Budget, Organization of Government
Laura A. Hall discusses unaddressed issues exposed by the difficulties of the transition from military to civilian responsibilities in Iraq.
See more in United States, Iraq, Defense Policy and Budget, Wars and Warfare
Laura A. Hall and Gordon Adams say some of Secretary Gates's proposals for civilian international affairs capacity actually undercut civilian authorities and capabilities.
See more in Defense/Homeland Security, International Peace and Security, U.S. Strategy and Politics
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