On April 13, the Center for American Progress and Middle East Progress at the Center will host a discussion with Stuart Bowen, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, and Major General Arnold Fields, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.

The lessons from Iraq reconstruction efforts are particularly relevant today, with the Obama administration unveiling a new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan last month that includes large increases in development assistance to both countries, as well as a tripling of nonmilitary aid to Pakistan over the next five years. Stuart Bowen and his team produced a series of reports and recently published a book, Hard Lessons: The Iraq Reconstruction Experience, with important recommendations on how to avoid waste, fraud, and abuse. Major General Arnold Fields (Ret.) was appointed Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction by President Bush in the summer of 2008 and reports directly to both the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State.

Copies of Hard Lessons will be available for purchase at the event.