I read the your report "Fierce clashes in Iraq as Islamic State seizes villages near Ramadi" (April 15) with a mixture of sadness, fear and exasperation.
I am probably not alone in sometimes wanting to throw up my hands over the apparent normalcy of people settling their disputes over politics or religion through violence on an extreme scale.
In the face of this all too common trend, I think it is critical to water the seeds of international peace-building capabilities.
I'm referring to the State Department's Conflict and Stabilization Operations Bureau, USAID's Complex Crises Fund and Conflict Management and Mitigation Office, and the U.S. Institute of Peace.
All these entities have effectively pioneered multi-stakeholder conflict transformation in some of the world's most violent hot spots.
As Congress deliberates the 2016 budget for these agencies I urge Maryland Sens. Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski, and Rep. Chris Van Hollen to give them their full support. We must give these practical seeds of hope the chance to sprout and grow.
Dan Kahn, Takoma Park
The writer is national field director of the Peace Alliance.