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.
Haiti After the Earthquake
USIP assesses the damage done by the devastating earthquake, and recommends strategies for Haiti’s recovery and reconstruction.
Prospects for Haiti’s New Government
As the impoverished country prepares for presidential and parliamentary elections, a new USIP report examines how to best ensure Haiti can continue its progress and development amid political transition.
What Role for the United Nations in Haiti?
Overview On October 13, 2009, the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved a one-year extension of the mandate for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). The sixth mission since 1995, MINUSTAH was first authorized in 2004. A new USIP report, "What Role for the United Nations in Haiti," details the recent progress made by the U.N. mission and international community. Author Bob Maguire explains the importance of maintaining a U.N. presence there and how to...
Haiti after the Donors’ Conference
USIP examines why efforts to stimulate Haiti's economy have so far proven unsuccessful, and recommends options to achieve sustainability and growth in the impoverished country.
Building the Rule of Law in Haiti: New Laws for a New Era
A new USIP report on Haiti's criminal laws examines the shortcomings of the impoverished country's criminal code – and finds promising opportunities to modernize and reform the laws. Despite Haiti's numerous challenges, the report concludes that new laws in Haiti will usher in a new era where the criminal justice system serves all people of Haiti, including the poor, vulnerable and marginalized, and upon which respect for the law and legitimacy of a stronger judicial system overall can be bui...
Haiti: Is Economic Security Possible if Diplomats and Donors Do Their Part?
In 2009, Haiti has been the subject of an unprecedented diplomatic initiative led by the United Nations. In rapid succession, Haiti received visits from the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the UN Security Council, former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and numerous senior delegations from Caribbean and South American countries
Toward the End of Poverty in Haiti
In July 2006, Haitian poet and historian Jean-Claude Martineau spoke at USIP and said that Haiti is the only country in the world with a last name—“Haiti, poorest country in the western hemisphere” —as described in the media. Sadly, in the two years since, conditions have worsened. Four severe storms that struck Haiti in September 2008 only exacerbated the already critical problem of the country’s poverty.
Haiti After the Storms: Weather and Conflict
In September 2008, four hurricanes and tropical storms—Fay, Gustav, Hannah and Ike—slammed into Haiti with devastating force. Nearly 800 people were killed, 300 remain missing and more than 500 were injured.
Haiti: Confronting the Gangs of Port-au-Prince
The UN mission in Haiti's successful campaign against the country's gangs set a precedent for future missions. Based on field research, authors Michael Dziedzic and Robert Perito explore the conduct of military and police operations, Haitians' overwhelmingly positive views of the UN intervention and lessons learned.
Paper Versus Steel: Haiti’s Challenge of Constitutional Reform
Haiti has recently worked to enact the constitution of 1987. However, this document is fraught with ambiguous, perplexing, and legally cumbersome measures.