Patricio Asfura-Heim

Patricio Asfura-Heim is a political-military analyst and project manager with CNA's Center for Naval Analyses. His work has focused on the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia affairs. His research interests include governance and the rule of law in stability operations, irregular warfare, mobilization and collective action, and the role of non-state centers of authorities in warfare, revolution, and peacemaking. Asfura-Heim has spent a significant amount of time supporting U.S. Marine and Department of State governance operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2007 he worked alongside Marines in Al Anbar Province to help promote the development of the rule of law. During 2009-2010 he worked with the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand Province, Afghanistan conducting key leader engagement to connect community leaders to district governments and to mentor provincial officials.  In addition to warzone deployments, Asfura-Heim has also conducted field research in Pakistan, Oman, Sao Tome and Principe, and Bahrain. He is a trained attorney and a member of the Washington DC Bar. Asfura-Heim holds his Juris Doctor and Masters in world politics from Catholic University of America.

Publications

• “Tribal Customary Law and Legal Pluralism in Al Anbar, Iraq,” in Deborah Isser (ed.), Customary Justice and the Rule of Law in War Torn Societies. USIP Press Books (July 2011).
• “In Libya, Geography is Destiny,” Politico (April 14, 2011).
•  LtCol Patrick Carroll, USMC (Ret) and Patricio Asfura-Heim. “Victory in Afghanistan Part 2: Countering the Taliban Narrative through Credible Religious Voices,” Marine Corps Gazette (January 2011).