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.
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.
October 7, 2009 marked eight years since the launch of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. For the first time since 2001, a serious debate is underway about our interests and objectives in Afghanistan and Pakistan. How are Afghans and Pakistanis reacting to this debate and what perspectives can they offer? Join us for a lively discussion on this issue with voices from Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The political and socio-cultural position of women in Afghanistan is in transition, particularly in the urban areas of the country. Advances have been made to include women in peacebuilding efforts, as noted by the recently adopted Constitution that grants equal rights for men and women, and as more and more women engage in entrepreneurial activities.
H.E. Ihsanoglu discussed OIC projects contributing to peacemaking and assessed the prospects of advancing U.S. - Islamic relations.
The Grant and Fellowship Program and the Afghanistan Working Group of the United States Institute of Peace cordially invites you to a discussion of a new USIP Peaceworks Report.
Three weeks after the August 20th national elections, the outcome of the election remains contested. Results posted by Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission show President Hamid Karzai at 54% and his main challenger Dr. Abdullah at 28% with 91.6% of polling stations tallied. But widespread allegations of fraud have marred the results, with over 2000 complaints filed to the Afghan Elections Complaints Commission (ECC). Please join us for a discussion of these issues with experts just ...
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.
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?
Despite the $10 billion spent on training, the Afghan police are "the weak link in the security chain," according to Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke. Police expansion is a major component of President Obama's strategy for Afghanistan, but there is widespread concern about this program. USIP's Security Sector Reform Working Group hosted a panel presentation to discuss this issue.
Afghanistan is perhaps one of the most pressing issues in contemporary humanitarian and foreign affairs. In his Inaugural address, President Obama committed to "forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan." The country has been the scene of extreme human rights abuses, civil war, terrorism, regional instability, and is the third poorest country in the world.