As Trump Meets China’s Xi, North Korea Tests Resolve

As Trump Meets China’s Xi, North Korea Tests Resolve

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

By: Jennifer Staats, Ph.D.

North Korea tested a ballistic missile this morning, just one day before President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet for the first time. The U.S. and China each blames the other for failing to curb North Korea’s missile and nuclear threat, and Pyongyang is testing their will to compromise. This summit is an opportunity for both leaders to commit to a serious discussion about meaningful action.

Type: Blog

Global PolicyMediation, Negotiation & Dialogue

Afghan Universities Build a Movement Against Extremism

Afghan Universities Build a Movement Against Extremism

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

By: Joshua Levkowitz

When students at Afghanistan’s Nangarhar University organized a blood drive last fall to protest their country’s civil war, so many donors lined up that the blood bags ran out. “Stop Bloodshed and Donate Blood to Save Lives,” the event declared. On a campus where some students have demonstrated in support of the Taliban and the Islamic State (ISIS), the rally against violence became a story on local radio and television, and on social media.

Type: In the Field

Education & TrainingViolent Extremism

Top Civic Leaders Aid Nigerian Fight to Curb Extremism

Top Civic Leaders Aid Nigerian Fight to Curb Extremism

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

By: Fred Strasser

Nigeria’s Roman Catholic cardinal urges his flock to embrace diversity. The spiritual leader of the country’s Muslims leads efforts to prevent radicalization and condemns Boko Haram. A former United Nations envoy advocates for professionalism among civil servants. A retired army chief of staff presses for the government to reach out more to alienated groups. These leaders and seven other prominent figures form a new high-level advisory group helping northern Nigeria’s powerful state governors address the social, religious and political forces that fuel extremist violence.

Type: In the Field

Fragility & ResilienceViolent ExtremismReligionMediation, Negotiation & Dialogue

Burma One Year After Suu Kyi Victory (Video)

Burma One Year After Suu Kyi Victory (Video)

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

The United States needs to combine firm backing for democratic progress and human rights in Burma with a rigorous understanding of the country’s many divisions, to help ensure its development stays on track, says Derek Mitchell, a former U.S. ambassador there and now a senior advisor at USIP. He spoke in a videotaped conversation with USIP President Nancy Lindborg. They were wrapping up a week-long visit that included a meeting with now-State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party took power in March 2016 after 50 years of military rule.

Type: Blog

Peace ProcessesDemocracy & Governance

Despite Threats, Hezbollah Unlikely to Hit Israel Now

Despite Threats, Hezbollah Unlikely to Hit Israel Now

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

By: Dr. Elie Abouaoun

The Lebanese militia Hezbollah's intensifying threats against Israel, such as warnings that the group could cause massive casualties by striking Haifa’s ammonia facilities, probably are less dangerous than they appear. While an outbreak of fighting between the two antagonists is always possible, for now Hezbollah has little motive to disturb the unspoken rules that govern their enduring conflict.

Type: Blog

Conflict Analysis & Prevention