Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Afghan Activists on April Presidential Election: 'We Have to Go Forward’
The USIP-funded Salah Dialogues brought together civil society activists from throughout Afghanistan in November and December to develop community action plans aimed at ensuring peaceful, credible elections in April in which voters will select a successor to President Hamid Karzai. At the final conference in Kabul on Dec 9, USIP asked 12 participants what they considered the most fundamental factors for ensuring a successful election.
What Might Persuade Israelis, Palestinians to Back Peace?
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently reiterated his pledge that any agreement with the Palestinians would be brought to Israel's citizens for a referendum. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has previously vowed to bring any deal to a vote by “Palestinians everywhere.” If the fate of a peace agreement is indeed to lie in the hands of the publics, what can we say about its chances?
Narrow Window for 'Getting It Right’ in Afghanistan
Better-than-expected performance by Afghan security forces, a rare alignment of interests for the U.S. and Pakistan, and a vigorous build-up to presidential elections in Afghanistan provide a narrow window of opportunity this year to ensure the country doesn’t collapse once international troops leave, according to experts in a public discussion recently at USIP.
Potential Colombia Peace Pact Will Be Only the Beginning
Half of all peace agreements break down in the first five years after they are signed. That’s a sobering prospect that means U.S. support will be just as important even if an accord is reached in negotiations underway between the government of Colombia and the FARC guerrillas.
Afghan Women Can Wield Powerful Force at Ballot Box
Scott Smith, USIP’s director of Afghanistan and Central Asia programs, gave opening remarks to a two-day conference in Kabul this week, encouraging Afghan women to use the constructive force of their vote to help ensure a successful presidential and provincial election this year. The national dialogue was organized by the nongovernmental organization Equality for Peace and Democracy (EPD), with support from USIP.
Libya’s New Plan for a Constitution: Can It Overcome the Chaos?
After months of political deadlock among the key parties of Libya's interim General National Congress (GNC), its members on Feb. 4 approved a new plan for electing a constitution-drafting committee and setting deadlines and election dates, including a nationwide vote later this week. But can the temporary parliament and interim Prime Minister Ali Zeidan control the country's chaos enough to advance the transition in Libya?
How will the Taliban Respond to Afghanistan’s Elections?
As Afghanistan moves toward April 5 elections for president and provincial councils, key questions loom: Among them, just what will the Taliban do to disrupt or distort that nation’s exercise in democratically selecting its leadership, and what might those efforts accomplish?
Ukraine’s Opposition Strength May Reinforce Agreement, USIP’s Taylor Says
The Ukrainian opposition’s strong organization through months of mostly peaceful public protests against the government of President Viktor Yanukovych, coupled with his failure to win the full support of business leaders and questions about the loyalty of the military, improves the prospects for a new deal to end the deadly violence of recent days, said USIP Vice President Bill Taylor.
What’s Behind Latest Nigeria Attacks by Boko Haram?
A spate of attacks in northern Nigeria by the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram prompted the condemnation of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, as a new study reaffirms the role of poverty in encouraging youths to join the armed group.
Syria’s Civil Society: Wael Sawah on the Push for Influence
Almost three years after the Syrian revolution began peacefully, more than 140,000 people have been killed, and the United Nations estimates nearly 2.5 million Syrians have fled their homes. Despite violence, a lack of resources and insecurity, Syrian civil society perseveres.