Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Iraq’s Turbulence Signals Urgent Need for Action
With the U.N. calling April the bloodiest month in Iraq in almost five years, USIP experts warn that the rapidly escalating violence must be contained soon to forestall a deterioration that will cost far more effort and resources if not addressed.
Colombia’s Peace Talks: How Civil Society is Having a Say
Figuring out how to engage the public in a peace process can be rather messy. USIP’s Ginny Bouvier examines the evolution of public engagement in the Colombian case.
Burma Transition Pressures Mount as Presidents Meet in U.S. Visit
USIP’s Colette Rausch says the first state visit to the U.S. in more than four decades signals Burma’s interest in rejoining the world community after years of isolation and efforts by American leaders to support a difficult transition.
Afghan Peace Process: Did Something Happen in Doha?
President Hamid Karzai’s provocative statements and reluctance to recognize a Taliban representative office in Qatar may have roots in perceptions of U.S. intentions.
Obama Urges Choices for Peace in Northern Ireland and Beyond
We got a good reminder today of how long it can take – and WHAT it takes -- to truly consolidate peace in a society after decades of conflict. U.S. President Barack Obama, speaking to 1,800 students and adults on his first stop in Europe, called for an end to segregated housing and education in Northern Ireland, and he appealed to the country’s youth to make the concrete choices needed to avoid backsliding on the peace agreement negotiated with American help 15 years ago.
Iraq: What’s Next After Anbar and Nineveh Elections?
Political imperatives and a slight ebbing of violence in Iraq will allow the next stage of the country’s planned provincial elections to proceed tomorrow in Anbar and Nineveh provinces. But the small kernel of hope engendered by a June 1 meeting of national political leaders to try to ease tensions needs urgent follow-up by the newly elected officials and the international community to stem the cycle of attacks that have reached levels not seen since the height of post-Saddam Hussein violence...
Syria Negotiations: Surprising Hope After G-8 Summit?
At the outset, expectations that the recent G-8 summit in Northern Ireland might narrow U.S.-Russian differences on Syria and advance prospects for a negotiated settlement were decidedly and deservedly low. But contrary to what is being reported in much of the media, which has zeroed in on the absence of references to Bashar al-Assad and his fate, the communiqué can arguably be seen as a significant step forward and a major shift in Russia’s position.
India, China, Burma: Challenges to the U.S. “Pivot” Toward Asia
The Obama administration’s strategy of turning renewed attention to the Asia-Pacific relies in significant part on India as a critical partner. But the long-standing border conflict between China and India, and the somewhat related armed ethnic struggles linked to Burma and northeastern India threaten to undermine the prospects of that Asia “pivot.” One potential avenue for improving those odds may lie in the common vision of China, India, and Burma to link their ethnic borderlands via road a...
Afghanistan: Are Local Seams Fraying?
Last week in two separate incidents in Afghanistan’s Logar Province, elders who were pivotal in defusing local conflict and leading dispute resolution efforts were killed by anti-government militant groups. Both men were gunned down by unknown assailants on their way home from work. Local residents believe the men were targeted because they worked with non-governmental organizations.