Question And Answer
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.
Islamic Peacemaking Since 9/11
Muslims in general and Muslim leaders particularly have often been severely criticized for not more energetically condemning the violent acts of Muslim extremists. The uninformed often assume that extremists represent Islam’s mainstream.
Consolidating Disarmament: Lessons from Colombia’s Reintegration Program for Demobilized Paramilitaries
An essential component of any post-conflict stabilization program is the permanent dismantlement of armed groups and their fruitful absorption into civilian society—this process is known as disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration. Although Colombia continues to wrestle with violent conflict at the hands of multiple armed factions, the country embarked on a major DDR program in 2003 with the goal of permanently ending the threat of violence from one of those armed factions—the United Se...
The Treasury Approach to State-Building and Institution-Strengthening Assistance: Experience in Iraq and Broader Implications
Drawing on a series of consultations convened by USIP's Center for Sustainable Economies, author Jeremiah S. Pam focuses on the role of the U.S. Treasury Department in finance-related state-building and institution-strenthening. Specifically, the report identifies key dynamics in the field and discusses aiding local institutions, providing technical assistance, improving interagency coordination and enabling local champions for such efforts.
Remembering George Kennan: Lessons for Today?
George F. Kennan, the father of containment, was a rather obscure and frustrated foreign service officer at the U.S. embassy in Moscow when his "Long Telegram" of February 1946 gained the attention of policymakers in Washington and transformed his career. What is Kennan’s legacy and the implications of his thinking for the contemporary era? Is it possible to reconcile Kennan’s legacy with the newfound emphasis on a "democratic peace?"
Jordan and Iraq: Between Cooperation and Crisis
President Bush's visit to Jordan this week has brought new attention to the role of Iraq's neighbors. As part of the Institute's Iraq and its Neighbors initiative, Scott Lasensky has completed an in-depth study on Jordan and the myriad of challenges it now faces because of a weak Iraq.
Resolving the Pakistan- Afghanistan Stalemate
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the neighboring regions would all benefit from a recognized open border between the two countries. What are the challenges to this objective?
From Dayton to Brussels: Constitutional Preparations for Bosnia's EU Accession
The citizens of Bosnia are united in wanting European Union accession and its benefits. However, the constitution as it stands will greatly inhibit Bosnia's ability to move toward accession. What are the changes Bosnia needs to make in order to being the EU accession process?
Scenarios for the Insurgency in Iraq
Touching on a top U.S. foreign policy priority, this Special Report identifies several possibly outcomes of the insurgency in Iraq, and recommends to U.S. policymakers the best strategies to deal with the current situation and the unfolding futures.
Whither Peace Operations?
Peace operations have undergone several evolutions since the first United Nations–administered peace mission in 1948. A characteristic feature of the most recent evolution, which began about a decade ago, is that today peace operations are more broadly accepted as a tool for contending with destabilizing events in all regions of the globe.
Abrahamic Alternatives to War: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Perspectives on Just Peacemaking
Eight Muslim scholar-leaders, six Jewish scholar-leaders, and eight Christian scholar-leaders met from June 13 to 15, 2007, in Stony Point, N.Y., at a conference sponsored by the United States Institute of Peace and the Churches’ Center for Theology and Public Policy. The purpose of the conference, titled Alternatives to War, was to specify practices within each of the three Abrahamic traditions that could lay the groundwork for a nonviolent program to resolve global conflict and address inju...