WASHINGTON—Since 9/11, two major U.S. national security priorities have been to prevent further terrorist attacks against U.S. targets, and to disable terrorists with a demonstrated or potential global reach. Among the stated purposes of the Iraq war was to expunge a supposed connection between the government of Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda, and to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) to states and terrorist groups. While few have denied the benefits of a Hussein-less...

WASHINGTON—The United States Institute of Peace is pleased to announce that Timothy W. Docking, African affairs specialist in the Research and Studies Program, has been named a 2003-2004 White House fellow. Docking is one of 12 Americans chosen to serve one-year fellowships starting Sept. 1, 2003. Fellows, representing a broad range of academic and military disciplines, are chosen at the end of a rigorous and competitive selection process. Docking's career has focused on the study of politi...

WASHINGTON—Kevin Kiley, a senior at Granite Bay High School, Granite Bay, California, won first prize in the 2002-2003 National Peace Essay Contest, sponsored by the U.S. Institute of Peace. Kiley's essay, "Kuwait and Kosovo: The Harm Principle and Humanitarian War," was judged to be the best of more than 1,250 entries received from high school students in 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and overseas schools. Kiley was presented with his award at the National Peace Ess...

WASHINGTON--The U.S. Institute of Peace Press has just published The United States and Coercive Diplomacy, edited by Brandeis University Professor Robert Art and U.S. Agency for International Development Assistant Administrator Patrick Cronin, formerly director of research and studies at the Institute of Peace. The U.S. government has turned to coercive diplomacy—the threat or limited use of military force to change a state's or group's behavior—eight times since the end of the Cold War. The...

WASHINGTON—As looting and disorder in Iraq abate, there remains a risk of violent conflict over real property claims, especially in Kirkuk and other areas the Saddam Hussein regime tried to Arabize. For more than 35 years, people of all ethnic and religious groups in Iraq have been uprooted and forced to move in order to satisfy Ba'athist political objectives. Hundreds of thousands of Kurds and Turkmen are now trying to return to their homes, many of which are occupied by Arabs. Iraq is bound...

WASHINGTON—Fifty-two American high school students have been named state winners of the 16th annual National Peace Essay Contest, sponsored by the United States Institute of Peace. Each student will receive a $1,000 scholarship for his or her efforts, and will now compete for the 2003 national first prize, a $10,000 college scholarship. The 52 winners will represent their states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia in a program for state-level winners in Washington, D.C. from June 21 t...

WASHINGTON—With the Iraq war essentially over, United States priorities are quickly shifting to securing the peace and setting Iraq on the path to democracy. Concerns about immediate needs have been exacerbated by the inability of coalition forces to control widespread looting and lawlessness in Baghdad and elsewhere, reported shortages of potable water in some areas, and the failure to date of coalition forces to find weapons of mass destruction (WMD). In launching an effort that will be mu...

WASHINGTON—On April 8, President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair affirmed, "The United Nations has a vital role to play in the reconstruction of Iraq." Just the day before, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan noted, "There are lots of areas where the United Nations can play a role, but above all the UN involvement does bring legitimacy which is necessary, necessary for the country, for the region and for the peoples around the world." To assess the various roles that the United Nation...