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Center Highlights
Mapping Peace Between Syria and Israel
March 2009 | USIP Special Report by Frederic C. Hof
Although the Palestinian-Israeli “track” of the Arab-Israeli dispute remains at the heart of the conflict between Israel and its neighbors, the very complexity of that track (Jerusalem, refugees, borders, etc.) has led some to consider the Israeli-Syrian track to be relatively simple and straightforward. While simple it is not and straightforward it is only in relative terms, the Syrian-Israeli conflict can indeed be settled without prejudice to the central act of the Arab-Israeli drama.
Featured Resources & Tools
In coordination with the United Nations Mediation Support Unit and in collaboration with a number of other mediation institutes and experts, USIP is developing a series of "best practices" handbooks on key aspects of mediation and peacemaking. The series is being designed for experienced mediation practitioners and negotiators, but will be a valuable resource for students and policymakers. Future handbooks include: Assessing and Enhancing Ripeness, Negotiating with Terrorists, Dealing with the Impact of an International Tribunal on a Peace Process; Managing Public Information in a Mediation Process, Debriefing a Mediation Effort, Coordinating Track I and II Efforts, and Addressing Internally Displaced Persons in a Peace Process.
With elections planned in Sudan in 2009, the question of how residents of the Darfur region should participate points to a number of challenges that remain unanswered. Is the security situation in Darfur adequate to permit elections?
In this report, a duo of experts from India and Pakistan explore the prospect of "making borders irrelevant" in Kashmir through increased movement of people, goods and services across the "Line of Control." The findings draw on the results of a survey of stakeholders and public opinion on both sides.
This USIPeace Briefing discusses the condition of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces, their hostages and the potential direction of this situation. The briefing stresses insights that key figures in the issue raised in recent visits to Washington, DC.
Hamas's landslide victory in the Palestinian parliamentary elections of January 2006 came as an unwelcome and unexpected shock to both Middle Eastern and international regimes, with the organization winning nearly 58 percent of the Palestinian Legislative Council seats. The United States, a number of European nations, and Israel had all issued clear warnings before the elections that they would not deal with a Palestinian Authority led by Hamas.
Leadership
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Vice President, Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Religion and Peacemaking Center of Innovation
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Center Specialists
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Vice President, Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Religion and Peacemaking Center of Innovation
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Program Officer (Sudan), Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Center for Post-Conflict Peace and Stability Operations
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The Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution designs and manages the Institute's efforts in areas where fighting is active. The Center also conducts research, identifies best practices, develops new peacemaking tools, and supports related training and education efforts.
The Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution conducts work in the following zones of conflict:
- Arab-Israeli Relations- USIP is targeting a series of obstacles confronting a new peace process: institutional capacity to make compromises; unwillingness of Israeli and Palestinian publics to demand or support such compromises; and improved understanding among American policymakers of the U.S. role in—and practices for—peacemaking.
- Nigeria -Nigeria is rife with conflicts over petroleum resources and religion. Amidst this situation, the Center is working on peace efforts for the Niger Delta region, including working collaboratively with local governments, oil companies, and Nigerian NGOs.
- Darfur - In the midst of the persistent crisis in Darfur, USIP is: helping the African Union organize a regional reconciliation process; facilitating religious peacemaking; empowering Darfuri youth; and organizing training on conflict resolution.
- Colombia- In spite of prolonged and chronic internal armed conflict, limited advances in peacebuilding have been realized in Colombia, including demobilization of paramilitaries. USIP is working on a number of initiatives, including ecumenical peacemaking in Colombia, the Cucuta Peacebuilding and Training Network and targeted investments in local peacebuilding projects.
- Kashmir - USIP has focused its efforts in this region on building constituencies for peace through enhanced business and trade collaboration, including the Kashmir Cross-Border Business dialogue.
- Nepal - Rule of law is an essential building block of long-term peace in Nepal. USIP is helping establish a national legal framework, truth commissions, and strategies to address serious crimes.
- Northern Uganda - Although progress has been made in negotiations between the Ugandan government and the Lord's Resistance Army, northern Uganda remains saddled with nearly two million internally displaced persons and tens of thousands of fatalities in the regional civil war. In this situation, USIP is working across several fronts, including faith-based reconciliation and transitional justice.
- Sri Lanka - Amidst a bloody conflict that has lasted a quarter century and a halting peace process, USIP continues to be actively engaged in the country through interfaith dialogue and investments in local peacebuilding projects.