Publications & Tools

The co-director of the Academy Award-winning documentary “Saving Face” stresses the importance of telling the stories of ordinary individuals who courageously speak out against human rights abuses.

USIP’s top program staff visited the Institute’s Kabul office in early May to meet with key leaders and discuss the transition in Afghanistan in 2014, a week before the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago May 20-21. USIP’s Shahmahmood Miakhel, country director in Kabul, Andrew Wilder, director of Afghanistan and Pakistan programs and Scott Smith, deputy director of Afghanistan programs, met with Maj. Gen. Sean MacFarland, the deputy chief of staff for operations for ISAF in Afghanistan. The group discussed the myriad issues that Afghanistan, ISAF and the international community face as the 2014 transition looms

This paper reflects both authors' concern that neglect of the opium economy in coming years could be perilous, exacerbate problems, possibly lead to poorly thought-out knee-jerk reactions and/or simplistic responses which would only worsen the situation, and further damage the prospects for success of what will inevitably be a difficult and challenging process of transition in Afghanistan.

There are a variety of contexts in which the empowerment of women in Pakistan can be considered, but none is more critical than law: How women’s legal rights are framed is fundamental to considering how best to advance women’s empowerment. After situating women’s legal rights in Pakistan, this Special Report reviews key features of recent legislation affecting women’s rights, explores the controversies surrounding this legislation, and elaborates on ongoing challenges to develop further legislation, particularly in light of opposition from Islamist groups.

The Bond Street Theater project is a USIP program in which trained actors from the international community use theater as an educational tool to show Afghan students ways to prevent low-level conflict within families or communities.