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.
Taking the 'Thug' Out of Security Forces: What Women Can Do
The daunting process of transforming police and other security forces after the fall of an authoritarian regime often is missing a key ingredient that would make the endeavor more effective – the perspectives and involvement of women. A new guide aims to change the dynamics.
Lifting the Pall Over Afghanistan’s 2014 Election: A Fresh Look at 2009
Afghanistan’s 2009 elections are often viewed as extremely fraudulent and as having produced an illegitimate outcome. However, despite many challenges, the 2009 elections were in some ways a success, and produced a legitimate outcome that adhered to the constitution and the country’s electoral laws. There is an opportunity now, before the 2014 elections in Afghanistan, to learn from these elections.
Top Afghan Officials Appeal for Sustained Help Against Opium
Top Afghan ministers and the governors of Kandahar, Helmand and Farah provinces appealed for international support of projects to curb the country’s opium poppy trade over the long haul, amid the risk that cultivation will rise in the short term as most U.S.-led military forces withdraw and foreign aid declines.
USIP-Supported Radio Drama Aims to Strengthen Justice, Young People in Afghanistan
Young Afghan villagers Zarlakhta and Jamil would like to marry. But there is a big problem: Zarlakhta’s father is deceased and her uncle Akram is dead-set against the union, fearing that his family will lose good farm land that, in a marriage, would transfer to Jamil’s family. Akram is so opposed to the marriage that he is trying to fix Zarlakhta up with his son Khudaidad to keep the land in his own family, and when that scheme doesn’t work he shoots Jamil. Jamil survives, and Akram flees the...
U.S. Senators, Officials Urge Speed, Priority for Afghan Elections Preparations
The U.S. Senate this week called for more urgency and accountability in preparations for Afghanistan’s presidential election in 2014, which will be a key marker for a political transition that U.S. Special Representative James Dobbins called “our main priority for the coming year.”
USIP-Supported Afghan Radio Drama Continues with Election Themes
An Institute-supported Afghan radio drama using themes of youth empowerment and the rule of law will continue to be broadcast across Afghanistan through the fall amid initial survey findings that indicate it has gained a wide audience and is encouraging Afghans to consider the implications of the issues raised for their society and young democracy.
Strengthening Afghanistan's Resilience to Withstand Transition Challenges
The major attacks in Kabul this week have renewed questions on how well the country can deal with such challenges and also meet civilian needs ahead of the security transition in 2014.
Head of the Secretariat for Afghanistan's High Peace Council Visits USIP
Minister Masoom Stanekzai, the head of the Secretariat for Afghanistan’s High Peace Council, was joined by other members of the council as well as Afghanistan expert Dr. Barnett Rubin, serving as a senior adviser to the U.S. State Department’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Stenekzai was a former fellow at USIP.
USIP, National Academy of Engineering Examine Agricultural Extension and Peacebuilding
With the National Academy of Engineering, the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) on May 1 hosted a workshop with specialists in and out of government on “Adapting Agricultural Extension to Peacebuilding.”
USIP's Kabul Office Holds Roundtable with Sen. Kerry on Elections, Security
USIP's Kabul Office recently hosted a roundtable meeting for Senator Kerry (D-Mass), accompanied by Ambassador James Cunningham from the U.S. embassy, with representatives of Afghan political parties and civil society. The discussion included the ongoing security transition, the recently agreed upon Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) between the Afghan and U.S. governments, and the 2014 Afghan presidential elections.