Paul Hughes recently retired from the United States Institute of Peace and had served in many roles at the USIP. Previously he was Director for the Quadrennial Defense Review Independent Panels in 2010 and 2014 and executive director of the Congressional Commission of the Strategic Posture of the United States. He also helped facilitate the 2006 Iraq Study Group for former Secretary of State James Baker and former congressman Lee Hamilton.
Prior to joining USIP Hughes was an active-duty Army officer from 1975-2005 and was a senior fellow to the Institute for Security Studies at the National Defense University developing policy guidance for the Army in arms control for weapons of mass destruction, humanitarian assistance and crisis prediction.
His awards include two Defense Superior Service Medals, three Bronze Stars, and numerous other meritorious service and special commendation awards. Hughes holds a B.A. in sociology from Colorado State University and two M.A. degrees in military arts and sciences.