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.
The Key to Stability in Afghanistan
Success in Afghanistan has always been tied to the expansion of the Afghan national security forces, experts agree. This news feature recaps the USIP event "Securing Transition: Assessing the Future of the Afghan National Security Forces." The panel discussion took place on February 25, 2011.
Navigating Tricky Transitions in Iraq, Afghanistan
The last American troops will leave Iraq this year, and the first troops will leave Afghanistan starting this summer. That means the civilian side of the U.S. government must step up to assume a greater responsibility in the void the military leaves behind. But is the U.S. government ready to take on this bigger role as the military exits? The answer is: it's far from clear.
Event Wrap: Making Peace in Afghanistan
More than a year into the “surge” of American and international military forces in Afghanistan, there are only mixed results on the ground, say experts. And that, they say, begs the question – who is helping to build the political process on which a final, peaceful resolution can be reached?
Making Peace in Afghanistan
This report draws on a series of workshops entitled “Anticipating a Political Process in Afghanistan: How Should the International Community Respond?” These workshops brought together some thirty analysts, both Afghans and foreigners, who have spent many years in Kabul, Kandahar, and other parts of Afghanistan. Participants considered a range of possible scenarios for Afghanistan over the next five years and the drivers of events in Afghanistan, then developed scenarios based on a five-year p...
The Future of Pakistan: Event Wrap
Charting Pakistan’s future is a nearly impossible task as it is so steeped in uncertainty. And yet it is critical to American foreign policy, with more than 100,000 U.S. troops fighting a resilient insurgency across the border in Afghanistan. While the challenges are nearly insurmountable, experts say, there are areas in which progress for the U.S.-Pakistani relationship is possible.
On the Issues: Afghanistan's New Parliament
Afghan President Hamid Karzai inaugurated a new parliament yesterday ending a political deadlock. USIP’s Director of Afghanistan and Pakistan, Andrew Wilder, assess the meaning of this move.
Obama's State of the Union Address: A World Wrap-Up
President Obama heralded progress in Iraq, asked Americans to brace for hard days ahead in Afghanistan, and touted seminal moments in Tunisia and Sudan in a State of the Union speech on Jan. 25. The president largely focused on the economy and jobs in this year's address, while covering the major international developments in the last ten minutes or so of his hour-long speech, beginning with Iraq.
USIP Grant Supports Educational Briefing Series
With the support of a USIP grant, the Stimson Center's Congressional education briefing series, Security for a New Century (SNC), is convening a series of meetings on Capitol Hill that focus on issues critical to policymaking on Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
State of the Union: Obama Expected to Outline Challenges, Successes Overseas
The thrust of tonight's State of the Union speech will be on the economy, jobs and civility in political discourse, with members of both parties sitting side-by-side in a display of bipartisanship. Read more of USIP's preview of Obama's State of the Union address.
Afghan High Peace Council Fails to Reflect Afghan Civil Society
The Afghan public, along with the international community, appears increasingly supportive of opening negotiations with the Taliban to end the war. This Peace Brief assesses the possiblities and challenges the Afghan government and the international community must consider to forge a lasting settlement with the Taliban. The author, Patricia Gossman, is a human rights expert who has investigated and reported on human rights violations in Afghanistan and elsewhere in South Asia for the past twe...