Rethinking US-Pakistan Relations in the Age of Great Power Competition

Rethinking US-Pakistan Relations in the Age of Great Power Competition

Friday, March 10, 2023

By: Hamza Ijaz;  Imran Khan;  Maryam Kiyani;  Adnan Rafiq

As the United States and Pakistan approach 75 years of bilateral engagement, the relationship between the two countries is at a critical crossroads. While viewing the US-Pakistan relationship exclusively through the security lens seems to be untenable, the road ahead, in the broader context of the Afghanistan withdrawal and great power competition, remains murky. Nevertheless, there exists a willingness on both sides to avoid the lows of the 1990s even if the highs of the 1980s or 2000s are not possible.

Type: Discussion Paper

Un enfoque bipartidista estadounidense sobre Venezuela es posible – y necesario

Un enfoque bipartidista estadounidense sobre Venezuela es posible – y necesario

Thursday, March 9, 2023

By: Juan Cruz;  Mark Feierstein

A pesar del gobierno dividido en Washington (ejecutivo demócrata y legislativo republicano), hay un amplio espacio para la acción bipartidista en la política exterior de Estados Unidos. Hacerle control a los avances de China y apoyar a Ucrania contra Rusia encabezan la lista, pero la principal oportunidad para que republicanos y demócratas trabajen juntos puede estar en Venezuela, donde las elecciones presidenciales del próximo año ofrecen la mejor oportunidad en años para una apertura democrática.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

Nigeria’s Vote Signals Risks: How Its Partners Can Support Democracy

Nigeria’s Vote Signals Risks: How Its Partners Can Support Democracy

Thursday, March 9, 2023

By: James Rupert

Nigeria’s disputed election 12 days ago is raising protest at home and concern abroad over its implications for the strength of democracy in that country and across Africa. Yesterday’s new wrinkle was the postponement of this week’s planned election for Nigerian state governors. Nigeria’s electoral commission is working to fix problems in a vote management system that failed to transparently process and report a result on February 25. An erosion of democracy’s credibility in Africa’s most populous nation would be catastrophic.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & GovernanceGlobal Elections & Conflict

Central Asia Needs a New Approach to Security

Central Asia Needs a New Approach to Security

Thursday, March 9, 2023

By: Ilya Jones;  Shamsiya Rakhimshoeva

After three decades of independence following the fall of the Soviet Union, Central Asian countries continue to face challenges to their stability and governance. Last year saw large-scale domestic unrest in three of the region’s five countries — Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan — and a devastating cross-border conflict between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan was the largest ever trans-boundary escalation in the region. Many of these events follow similar patterns: growing tensions and grievances among citizens lead to protests, which are met with a harsh and disproportionate response including the use of lethal force by security forces, feeding into further mistrust between authorities and the population.

Type: Analysis

Conflict Analysis & PreventionViolent Extremism

What Does U.S. Reengagement in Papua New Guinea Mean for Bougainville?

What Does U.S. Reengagement in Papua New Guinea Mean for Bougainville?

Thursday, March 9, 2023

By: Gordon Peake, Ph.D.;  Camilla Pohle

As Washington reengages in the Pacific, it must not overlook Bougainville, an autonomous and want-away region of Papua New Guinea. The United States is neutral on Bougainville’s future political status, which is for Papua New Guinea and Bougainville to resolve. Nevertheless, Washington should recall long U.S.-Bougainville historical ties, and consider how the Pacific Partnership Strategy could be leveraged to benefit the people of Bougainville, whatever their future political status might be.

Type: Analysis

Global PolicyDemocracy & Governance

A Bipartisan U.S. Approach on Venezuela Is Possible — and Necessary

A Bipartisan U.S. Approach on Venezuela Is Possible — and Necessary

Thursday, March 9, 2023

By: Juan Cruz;  Mark Feierstein

Despite divided government in Washington, there is ample room for bipartisan action on U.S. foreign policy. Countering China and buttressing Ukraine against Russia top the list, but the foremost opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to work together may be in Venezuela, where presidential elections next year offer the best chance in years for a democratic opening.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

Myanmar’s Criminal Junta Will Do Anything to Consolidate Power

Myanmar’s Criminal Junta Will Do Anything to Consolidate Power

Thursday, March 9, 2023

By: Ye Myo Hein

After months of fanfare about holding elections in August 2023, Myanmar’s junta chief, Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, suddenly changed course. On February 1, he extended the junta’s illegitimate rule by another six months acknowledging that the military does not control enough of the country to administer an election. This development represents a setback for those in the international community who had naively believed that sham elections would pave the way to a stable Myanmar.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance

PEPFAR’s Profound Legacy 20 Years On

PEPFAR’s Profound Legacy 20 Years On

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

By: Thomas P. Sheehy

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), the George W. Bush administration’s landmark global health initiative. When Bush announced the initiative during his 2003 State of the Union address, approximately 30 million Africans were infected with HIV/AIDs and had almost no access to treatment. Twenty years later, PEPFAR is estimated to have saved 25 million lives and is credited for helping turn the tide on the global HIV pandemic.

Type: Analysis

Global Health

Ambassador Makila James on Nigeria’s Elections

Ambassador Makila James on Nigeria’s Elections

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

While Nigeria’s elections energized youth voters and avoided widespread violence, President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu won only a plurality of votes. As concerns over the results’ legitimacy mount, “a weak mandate means [Tinubu] is going to have to work very smartly to build coalitions,” says USIP’s Makila James.

Type: Podcast

USIP’s Work on Women, Peace and Security

USIP’s Work on Women, Peace and Security

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Violent conflict upends and polarizes societies, disrupting social structures and gender roles. Policies and projects intended to assist communities that are fragile or affected by violence are more successful when they consider the different effects conflict has on men, women, boys, girls and gender and sexual minorities.

Type: Fact Sheet

Gender