Jacob Kurtzer is a senior associate (non-resident) with the Humanitarian Agenda, an initiative that leverages the expertise of CSIS programs to explore complex humanitarian challenges. Prior to joining CSIS, Mr. Kurtzer spent seven years with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), most recently as head of communications for the ICRC Delegation in Israel and the occupied territories. Previously, he served as head of public and congressional affairs for the Washington Delegation of the ICRC, representing the ICRC to a broad spectrum of audiences in the United States and Canada. In addition, he has conducted field missions in South Sudan, and Rakhine State, Myanmar and spent nearly three years as a consultant with the ICRC delegation in Pretoria, South Africa. From 2007-2009, he served as the congressional advocate at Refugees International (RI), a humanitarian advocacy organization based in Washington D.C. Mr. Kurtzer began his career as a legislative assistant to Congressman Robert Wexler of Florida covering domestic and foreign policy issues, including managing the Congressional Indonesia Caucus. Mr. Kurtzer earned an M.A. in peace and conflict studies from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, where he studied as a Rotary Foundation World Peace Fellow. He also holds a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a citation in religious studies, and is an alumnus of the College Park Scholars Public Leadership program.
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
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- Media Relations Coordinator, External Relations
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In the News
'People are starving and thirsty': As the US sends aid to Ukraine, some say it's not flowing fast enough
Jacob Kurtzer in USA Today — July 18, 2022
How to Vaccinate Behind Enemy Lines
Jacob Kurtzer in Foreign Affairs — May 15, 2022
The problem with humanitarian corridors
Jacob Kurtzer in National Journal — March 17, 2022
Europe is bracing for a possible huge influx of refugees if Russia attacks Ukraine
Jacob Kurtzer in NBC News — February 16, 2022
Biden Keeping Half of Afghanistan’s $7B in Assets for 9/11 Victims
Jacob Kurtzer in Voice of America — February 13, 2022
Biden Keeping Half of Afghanistan’s $7B in Assets for 9/11 Victims
Jacob Kurtzer in Voice of America — February 11, 2022
Can the U.S. help Afghans without empowering the Taliban?
Jacob Kurtzer in National Journal — February 10, 2022
Syrian humanitarian crisis worsening with winter weather
Jacob Kurtzer in CBS News — January 29, 2022
All Jacob Kurtzer Content
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2022 Washington Humanitarian Forum: Closing the Gap
Event — November 9, 2022
Pakistan’s Deadly Floods Pose Urgent Questions on Preparedness and Response
Critical Questions by Jacob Kurtzer and Hareem Fatima Abdullah — September 13, 2022
Humanitarian Innovation in Action
Event — July 19, 2022
Report Launch: Localizing Humanitarian Action in Africa
Event — June 15, 2022
The Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine
Event — March 24, 2022
Launch of the UN Global Humanitarian Overview 2022
Event — December 2, 2021
Lebanon’s Growing Humanitarian Crisis
Event — November 16, 2021
The Future of Humanitarian Operations: Aid and Politics in Syria
Event — July 7, 2021
Online Event: Supporting Marginalized Groups amid Lebanon's Cascading Crises
Event — October 6, 2020
Ambassador Kelly Craft Is Confirmed: What Will She Be Up Against?
Critical Questions by Jacob Kurtzer and John Goodrick — August 14, 2019