“Negotiating Peace in Iraq” is the topic of Colonel (ret) Mike Kershaw’s presentation on Thursday. Colonel (ret) Kershaw is a 34 year Army veteran with service in multiple conflicts as an infantry officer. He commanded an infantry brigade combat team during the “Surge” of US Forces in Iraq, 2006-2007. He will discuss his brigade’s efforts to reconcile warring tribes during the exceptionally violent period of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Colonel (ret) Kershaw will highlight the critical role played by the US Institute of Peace (USIP) – a national, nonpartisan independent institute which took the lead in helping brigade mitigate and resolve issues between the warring tribes. In 2017, he and key members of his brigade were honored by USIP for their role in this initiative.