Events

November 20, 2009

As Liberia continues its struggle to rebuild institutions destroyed by years of brutal conflict, the rule of law has emerged as a focus area of national and international development efforts.  A key policy question concerns the future of Liberia’s dual justice system under which a hierarchy of chiefs’ courts managed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs exists in parallel to the formal judiciary.  Co-authors Deborah Isser and Stephen Lubkemann discuss the policy implications of the newest USIP Peaceworks with the Chair of the Liberian Law Reform Commission.

November 18, 2009

Lack of justice and a culture of impunity have emerged as major grievances in Afghanistan, alienating the population from the government and creating an enabling environment for the insurgency.  Please join us for a discussion of informal and formal justice systems, and an overview of USIP’s justice projects that aim to strengthen linkages between these two sectors and address impunity.

Countries: Afghanistan | Issue Areas: Rule of Law
November 10, 2009

USAID’s Community Stabilization Program (CSP) in Iraq was designed as a non-lethal counterinsurgency program that aimed to reduce incentives for participating in violent conflict by utilizing job-creation programs and engaging the youth. This event considered the following questions and more:  Was the CSP effective as a counter-insurgency tool in Iraq?  Does the CSP foster local ownership and sustainability?

Bob Perito and panel members discuss Security Sector Reform (Credit: Liz Panarelli)
October 29, 2009

In Afghanistan and Iraq, Congress provides oversight and resources for U.S. programs to reform local military and police forces. This process is critical to U.S. success, but is little understood. USIP's Security Sector Reform Working Group examined the role of Congress in ensuring that security assistance is effective, serves U.S interests and creates democratic security forces.

Muslim prayer (Photo: NY Times)
October 7, 2009

Grand Mufti of Egypt, His Excellency Dr. Ali Gomaa will speak about moderation in Islam and the challange of religious extremism.

Countries: Egypt | Issue Areas: Peacebuilding, Religion
Queen Noor of Jordan greets Iraqi refugees. (Photo: Courtesy of King Hussein Foundation)
October 1, 2009

While public diplomacy experts struggle to develop strategic communications campaigns to win hearts and minds abroad, new research on the frontiers of neuroscience and psychology suggests a different approach.

U.S. President Barack Obama and H.E. Ihsanoglu (Photo courtesy of Organization of Islamic Conference)
September 30, 2009

 H.E. Ihsanoglu discussed OIC projects contributing to peacemaking and assessed the prospects of advancing U.S. - Islamic relations.

August 6, 2009

Dr. David Kilcullen and Dr. Andrew Wilder explore the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan and the relationship between successful counter-insurgency operations and state-building efforts.

Cover of Reconciliation in Afghanistan
July 10, 2009

What is the potential for political negotiations and reconciliation to resolve the armed conflict raging on both sides of the Durand Line that separates Afghanistan and Pakistan?

April 20, 2009

At the dawn of the twentieth century Burma was the richest country in Southeast Asia. By the dawn of the twenty-first it was the poorest. The journey between these poles is the political and economic history of modern Burma. It is a history in which the common thread has been the failure to fashion the institutions necessary for sustained economic growth - including that of a properly functioning financial system. A careful analysis of Burma's financial system - of its banks, moneylenders and 'microfinanciers' - reveals volumes about the country's descent, its current circumstances, and also about finding ways forward.

Countries: Myanmar/Burma | Issue Areas: Economics and Development