Zachary Kaufman to serve on US Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Zachary D. Kaufman, JD, (MPhil & DPhil International Relations, 2002), has taken leave from his position as a Senior Fellow at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government to serve for 2016-17 on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His service is sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship.  Dr. Kaufman's work on the Committee focuses on human rights, atrocity prevention, democracy, anti-corruption, women's issues, and religious freedom.

According to the Committee's official history: "The Senate Foreign Relations Committee was established in 1816 as one of the original ten standing committees of the Senate. Throughout its history, the committee has been instrumental in developing and influencing United States foreign policy, at different times supporting and opposing the policies of presidents and secretaries of state. The committee has considered, debated, and reported important treaties and legislation, ranging from the purchase of Alaska in 1867 to the establishment of the United Nations in 1945. It also holds jurisdiction over all diplomatic nominations. Through these powers, the committee has helped shape foreign policy of broad significance, in matters of war and peace and international relations. Members of the committee have assisted in the negotiation of treaties, and at times have helped to defeat treaties they felt were not in the national interest."