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.
Common Strategies for Women in Transition Countries
An expert dialogue on women in transition countries brought together 14 women leaders from Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Tunisia to work together and identify issues specific to each country and determine common problems. USIP’s Steven Steiner summarizes their recommendations on how to overcome the challenges.
How Women Can Help Build a Culture of Peace
For many in the United States, Iraq has become synonymous with violence and insecurity. For those who are from there and those of us who have had the privilege of spending time there -- working with Iraqis and building friendships -- we know that Iraq is not defined by violence. Iraq has a proud culture and history, and the vast majority of its citizens lead peaceful lives and are trying to build a better life for their families.
Criminalizing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Peacekeepers
UN peacekeepers continue to engage in sexual exploitation and abuse during deployment and rarely face punishment, according to human rights lawyer and Jennings Randolph fellow Carla Ferstman. Although troop-contributing countries bear responsibility for investigating and prosecuting these crimes, the UN must shoulder an active, persistent role in helping states close the gaps in disciplinary and criminal accountability in order to end peacekeeper impunity.
Afghan and Iraqi Women Offer Lessons Learned to Women of the Arab Spring
Kathleen Kuehnast, director of the Center for Gender and Peacebuilding and Manal Omar, director, of the Iraq, Iran and North Africa Program, discuss a recent meeting in Istanbul with Afghan and Iraqi women leaders to map out practical steps forward for women in their own transitional countries.
Democracy, Like Revolution, is Unattainable Without Women
In this peace brief, author Sahar F. Aziz argues that the biggest challenge for women in Arab Spring countries is transforming their leadership and influence into high-level governance positions, both elected and appointed.
Iran-U.S. Friendly Wrestling Matches Mysteriously Abbreviated
The U.S. and Iran over the years have managed far better relations in sports than otherwise. But a joint effort between them and Russia last week that was aimed at salvaging wrestling for the 2020 Olympics went awry when Iran withdrew from the second of a pair of friendly matches in the U.S. and flew home instead. USIP’s Iran Primer looks at sports that have connected Iran and the U.S.
Engaging Men in Women’s Rights and Empowerment in South Asia and the Middle East
A new Peace Brief details the lessons learned and best practices on engaging men in support of women’s rights and empowerment in South Asia and the Middle East. It is based on a November 2012 forum organized by USIP’s Center for Gender and Peacebuilding.
'I Have to Do It’: Vital Voices Awardees Buck Threats, Futility
"Every time I walk out of my house, I never think that I can return," said the petite activist whose diminutive frame belied the threats she's faced down as a land-rights campaigner in Cambodia. She joins a Palestinian businesswoman and a Brazilian police chief to discuss what drives them to push for change in their societies
Female Police Lieutenant Faces New Dangers in Transitioning Afghanistan
International Women of Courage awardee, Second Lieutenant Malalai Bahaduri, recently met with USIP staff, members of civil society and the U.S./Afghan Women’s Council to speak about how she became a successful police officer in Afghanistan and the new challenges she expects to face with the 2014 withdrawal of the coalition forces.
Afghan Women’s Voices Urgently Needed for Country’s Transition, Activists Say
To the backdrop of stunning photographs illustrating the achievements and remaining hurdles for women in Afghanistan, a USIP expert and the recipient of a U.S. award for courage joined other advocates in an urgent call for more Afghan women to be consulted in major decisions of the transition.