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.
The upcoming 2010 elections and 2011 referendum in Sudan are the culminating events of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the National Congress Party and the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement. However, looking at 2011 and beyond, there is increasing concern that Sudan may revert to violence rather than move forward towards the sustainable peace envisioned by the CPA.
Born out of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) has established itself as a functioning entity but also faces significant difficulties. On October 2, USIP hosts two GoSS ministers for a discussion about Southern Sudan's progress, internal and external challenges, and the road ahead as Sudan approaches the 2010 national elections and 2011 referendum.
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.
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.
Dr. Hoodbhoy will assess the growth of extremist trends and related political changes in Pakistan, as well as discuss countervailing forces and the inherent resilience of Pakistani society. His analysis will draw out ways by which Pakistanis can help themselves, and the means by which US and Western assistance to Pakistan can help Pakistan stay on an even keel and help move it forward politically and economically.
Ambassador Lodhi has long been an expert on Pakistan’s security decisions and on Pakistan’s relations with the United States and the West and is well known in Washington, DC. Her presentation at USIP will review the internal political and security problems that challenge Pakistan from the spread of Taliban influence and extremism, and the impact on Pakistan and its relations with Afghanistan and other neighbors of US and NATO operations in Afghanistan.
The U.S. Institute of Peace and the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy are co-sponsoring a public event with a delegation from the Pakistan Council of Islamic Ideology.
USIP's Center of Innovation for Science, Technology and Peacebuilding hosted a full-day multimedia showcase of state-of-the-art simulation and "serious gaming" tools that promise to transform the way that peacebuilding organizations train, plan and collaborate. The "Smart Tools for Smart Power" event featured presentations from such innovators as IBM, the Army War College, EBay, Lockheed Martin, Second Life, and USIP's own Education and Training Center. U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer B...
Based on a recent USIP report "Hamas: Ideological Rigidity, Political Flexibility" by Paul Scham and Osama abu-Irshaid, this discussion will explore how the international community can detect and take advantage of any willingness by Hamas to compromise, without making ourselves vulnerable to manipulation. How should we interpret this movement, what is the role of Shari'a law in Hama's political behavior and what are the policy implications of the report?
Former President Jimmy Carter, former Secretary of State James Baker, and former national security advisors Zbigniew Brzezinski and Brent Scowcroft speak about America’s role in crafting peace between Israel and Palestine in Landrum Bolling’s newly released short film.