Question And Answer
Publications
Articles, publications, books, tools and multimedia features from the U.S. Institute of Peace provide the latest news, analysis, research findings, practitioner guides and reports, all related to the conflict zones and issues that are at the center of the Institute’s work to prevent and reduce violent conflict.
Q&A: Iran Nuclear Talks
Talks between Iran and six major powers—the U.S., the U.K., China, France, Germany and Russia—seek a framework agreement by March 24 with technical details by June. But leaders on all sides face intense—and sometimes harrowing—domestic pressure from opponents who fear a final agreement will give away too much. Robin Wright, an author and distinguished fellow at the U.S. Institute of Peace, explores the dynamics of the diplomacy.
Q&A: Yemen on the Edge of Fracture?
Yemen’s path since the 2011 Arab Spring uprising has long seemed shaky, but this week’s events have created the most serious crisis facing the country in decades. With the government’s resignation, many observers fear the complete fragmentation and breakup of the state. Erica Gaston, a former senior program officer at the U.S. Institute of Peace, explains the ramifications.
North Korea Conducts Nuclear Blast
North Korea on February 12 conducted a third nuclear test blast, drawing immediate global condemnation. USIP has several recent resources discussing the North's proliferation activities.
USIP Offers Nonproliferation Course for Hill Staff
USIP last month held a course for congressional staff entitled, “China, Pakistan and Nuclear Weapons: the Security Challenges for the United States.” The course was intended to provide context and background on both technical and policy issues related to nuclear nonproliferation.
USIP Experts Brief NATO Defense College Senior Course
USIP hosted 67 senior military officers from 27 countries on November 6, 2012, as part of a visit to Washington by the NATO Defense College (NDC) Senior Course. Based on the value of the NDC visit to the Institute in May 2012, the course elected to return to USIP as part of their Transatlantic Field Study program.
USIP Hosts NATO Defense College with Senior State Department Official to Discuss Europe, Nuclear Issues
On May 2, USIP hosted NATO Defense College (NDC) Senior Course 120, which consisted of 74 senior military officers from 31 countries worldwide, as part of the group's Transatlantic Field Study trip to Washington, DC. NDC Dean Dr. Richard Hooker and Brigadier General Patrick Desjardins of France, dean of Academic Operations, led the delegation; Daria Daniels Skodnik coordinated the trip for NDC.
Examining the Prospects for Iran Nuclear Talks
Talks between Iran and a group known as the P5 plus 1 (the five United Nations Security Council permanent members plus Germany) on Iran’s nuclear programs are expected to begin on April 14 in Istanbul, Turkey. The resumption of negotiations might represent an important juncture in the long saga of international efforts to restrain and verify the nature of Iran’s nuclear efforts, which Tehran contends is intended to develop energy sources and conduct research but which the United States and ot...
Landmine Awareness Day: Resources and Activities for Students and Educators
April 4, 2012 is the International Day for Landmine Awareness. The day is sponsored by the United Nations and has been observed every year since 2006. USIP's Global Peacebuilding Center is marking Landmine Awareness Day by highlighting resources and activities.
U.S.-North Korea Agreement: A Breakthrough?
John Park, a senior program officer who directs USIP’s Korea Working Group, analyzes the U.S.-North Korea agreement announced on February 29. The North Koreans will suspend nuclear activities at its Yongbyon complex and long-range missile tests, and the U.S. will provide 240,000 tons of nutritional assistance to North Korea. While it may not be a breakthrough, this agreement does constitute a modest initial step forward in dealing with North Korea.
Analysts Laud U.S. Commitment to Asia
The Obama administration’s reaffirmation of American engagement in the Asia-Pacific region for strategic and economic reasons is welcome, but describing it as a “pivot” toward the region in the wake of U.S.-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan neglects the continuity through decades of U.S. involvement in the region, three senior foreign policy figures from the United States, Japan and South Korea said at a forum sponsored by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) on December 15.