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Center Highlights
Managing Political Transitions in Africa
Political transitions – ranging from elections to peace agreements after civil war – have often served as triggers of violence. A significant body of research shows that approximately half of all peace agreements unravel after five years, at times plunging a country into more intense violence than before. Managing the conflict that accompanies political transitions is a critical factor in building strong governing institutions and creating the mechanisms for durable peace.
North Korea, Inc.: Gaining Insights into North Korean Regime Stability from Recent Commercial Activities
May 2009 | Working Paper
Based on interviews with recent North Korean defectors who previously worked in the North Korean state trading companies affiliated with the army, ruling party and cabinet, this report is the inaugural research product of the Institute's joint research project with the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU).
The Genocide Prevention Task Force, co-chaired by former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright and former Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen, was jointly convened by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, The American Academy of Diplomacy and the United States Institute of Peace. Its recently released report, Preventing Genocide: A Blueprint for U.S. Policymakers, offers practical recommendations on how to prevent genocide and mass atrocities.
Won't You Be My Neighbor: Syria, Iraq and the Changing Strategic Context in the Middle East
April 2009 | Working Paper
Overall, Syria has marginally benefited from the war in Iraq at both the regional and international levels. After watching the U.S. military unseat the Baathist regime next door in 2003 with unprecedented speed, it looked to many observers—including some in Damascus—as if Syria would be next in line.
Featured Resources & Tools
By examining how North Korea, Inc. — the web of state trading companies affiliated to the Korean Workers’ Party, the Korean People’s Army, and the Cabinet — operates, this report highlights a new framework for gauging regime stability in North Korea.
Leadership
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Vice President, Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention
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Center Specialists
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Senior Research Associate, Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention
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Acting Director, Muslim World Initiative, Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention
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The Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention designs and manages the Institute's efforts to prevent the outbreak of violent conflict. The Center also conducts timely, policy-relevant analysis of countries and regions where the threat to peace and stability is particularly acute. In addition, the Center conducts research, identifies best practices, develops new tools for anticipating, analyzing, and preventing violent conflict, and supports related training and education efforts.
The Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention conducts work in the following zones of conflict:
- Iran - The Institute's efforts in Iran include: the Iran Working Group which regularly convenes specialists from the D.C. policy community, a number of research projects, and an exchange program between U.S. and Iranian religious leaders.
- Pakistan - The Institute is conducting a number of analytical projects related to militancy in Pakistan. On the ground, we are engaged in education reform and strengthening civil society.
- Northeast Asia- Through high-level dialogue and critical analysis, the Institute is helping address strategic challenges on the Korean Peninsula. The Institute also sponsors the Korea Working Group, the preeminent forum for Korea experts and policymakers in the U.S.
- Lebanon - Through our Lebanon Working Group, the Institute is bringing together civil society, the U.S. government, and members of the international community in order to explore ways to prevent further civil strife in Lebanon, as well as develop strategies to prevent cross-border conflict.
- Kenya - The Institute continues to support peacebuilding efforts in Kenya, following the outbreak of post-election violence in December 2007.
- Zimbabwe - The Institute's efforts in Zimbabwe support the work of regional organizations, civil society groups, and the media.
Programs
The threats and opportunities of the 21st century demand that increased attention be paid to practical questions about how to design and implement effective prevention strategies—beyond continual calls to "act early," instill a "culture of prevention," and, above all, mobilize "political will." To this end, USIP is currently developing intellectual capital on evidence-based prevention, early warning, and the prevention of mass atrocities.
Political transitions have often served as triggers of violence. This initiative aims to increase the capacity of key stakeholders to identify these triggers during political transitions, to build positive relationships among civil society, policymakers, and regional and international organizations, and to contribute to the academic and policy literature on peaceful political transitions in Africa.
This initiative is designed to help to mobilize moderates, marginalize militants, and bridge the U.S./Muslim-world divide.
Through high-level dialogue and critical analysis, the Institute is helping address strategic challenges in Northeast Asia. The Institute also sponsors the Korea Working Group, the preeminent Track 1.5 forum for Korea experts and policymakers in the United States and Asia.