Research and Lessons Learned Institue
Mr. Oweiss joined the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) in
July, 2021, and serves as the Director of the Research, Analysis, and
Lessons Learned Institute (RALLI) since June, 2023. RALLI fosters
analysis, research, scholarship, and critical inquiry that advances the field
of security cooperation, enables application of lessons learned, and
promotes evidence-based decision-making.
Mr. Oweiss championed Security Cooperation reform efforts mandated by
Congress on institutional capacity building (ICB) between 2016 and 2021.
He served as a senior advisor and program manager at the Defense
Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) in support of policy formulation,
strategic reform initiatives, resource planning, and congressional
engagement on building partner capacity. In this capacity, he championed
the development and execution of a vision for planning, prioritizing, and
aligning global ICB activities, and reshaping how the Department justifies
ICB budget to Congress. Additionally, Mr. Oweiss helped conceptualize
and launch the Department’s first-ever Security Cooperation learning
agenda while at DSCU. Mr. Oweiss’ international relations career since
2000 spans across security and development in various roles, primarily
with the World Bank, the United Nations, the Africa Center for Strategic
Studies, and with DSCA. His international assignments included serving
as an embedded advisor to the Ministry of Finance and Economic
Planning in Rwanda (2004-2006), and as a regional program manager
within the U.S. Embassy country team in Senegal (2009-2012).
Mr. Oweiss received a Master of Science in Poverty Reduction and
Development Management from the University of Birmingham (UK), and a
Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University with a
Certificate in African Studies. He is fluent in French, married to an
international public health professional, and a proud parent of two
children