As a national, nonpartisan, independent Institute, the U.S. Institute of Peace draws on our exceptional convening power to create opportunities for diverse audiences to exchange knowledge, experiences, and ideas necessary for creative solutions to difficult challenges. We serve as an important, neutral platform for bringing together government and nongovernment, diplomacy, security, and development actors, and participants across political views. The Institute’s events help shape public policy and priorities to advance peaceful solutions to conflict and strengthen international security.
On March 23, USIP hosted a discussion of key developments in Iraq and the outlook for U.S.-Iraq relations under the Biden administration. The panel shared their insights on the Pope’s first-ever visit to Iraq, examined the country’s current challenges, and explored areas where policymakers and the international community can support Iraq.
On March 11, USIP and American University in the Emirates hosted a virtual discussion that aimed to better understand gender dynamics in conflict by convening experts in the field and sharing the lessons learned from initiatives that build the resilience of women during war and throughout post-war recovery.
On March 4, USIP hosted Libya’s ambassador to the United States and Libyan civil society leaders for a look at stories of positive community cooperation during the current crisis—as well as a discussion on how Libyan and international organizations can build off these successes to navigate Libya’s complex conflict and ensure a peaceful future for the country.
Iran will pose the biggest foreign policy challenge to President Joe Biden in the Middle East. He has vowed to rejoin the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, but it won’t be easy. Since mid-2019, Iran has breached its obligations in tit-for-tat responses to hundreds of punitive U.S. sanctions. Both countries have said that they want...
On October 14, USIP and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) held a panel discussion with peacebuilding experts and practitioners from the Middle East that looked at the implications of COVID-19 on peacebuilding at the local level in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq.
On October 13, USIP and Afrobarometer looked at Afrobarometer’s latest survey research and results, and discussed how the data can help guide U.S. government policy in Africa and provide key insights for policymakers on trends and potential threats to peace and security in Africa.
On September 25, USIP held an in-depth presentation and discussion of the World Bank’s new publication, “The Fallout of War: The Regional Consequences of the Conflict in Syria.” The panel included the report’s lead author as well as regional experts who provided insight on the economic and social effects that the Syrian conflict has had on its neighbors.
On September 23, USIP and the Wilson Center hosted a virtual discussion on the challenges faced by the Middle East including chaos in Lebanon, tensions between Iran and the United States, and the war in Syria.
USIP and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) hosted a presentation of recently published research on drug issues in the region. USIP experts discussed their research on drug trafficking and consumption in Libya, while GI-TOC experts analyzed trends in the Maghreb as a whole.
On August 4, USIP held an expert panel discussion on the impacts of COVID-19 in Syria. The panel featured field-based medical practitioners who provided on-the-ground insight on the pandemic’s effects in northern Syria, specifically among displaced populations within Syria.