Tamanna Salikuddin

Tamanna Salikuddin is a senior expert on peace processes with a focus on inclusivity at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Salikuddin leads a multi-faceted program to build thought leadership and expertise on sustainable peace processes. Her work underpins the Institute’s efforts to advance inclusivity and representation in peace processes and conflict resolution.

Tamanna joined USIP after 12 years in the U.S. government focused on conflict resolution. From 2014 to 2017, she was a senior advisor to the special representative for Afghanistan & Pakistan at the U.S. Department of State. During this time, Tamanna led a team of experts pursuing a peace process between the Afghan Taliban and Government of Afghanistan. She represented the United States at the historic Murree talks in 2015 and participated in other high-level negotiations. From 2011 to 2013, she served as Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the National Security Council focusing on conflict resolution in South Asia. She has served as a political officer at the U.S. embassy in Islamabad and an analyst on South Asia. Prior to joining the U.S. government, Salikuddin worked as an attorney on international law issues in South Asia.

Tamanna’s primary focus has been examining conflicts and conflict resolution across South and Central Asia and the Middle East, particularly those involving non-state actors and militant groups. She has also spent time learning from conflicts and peace processes in South Africa, Northern Ireland, Colombia and the Balkans.

Tamanna earned her bachelor’s in economics from Northwestern University and her juris doctorate with a focus in international law from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.