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.
President Obama’s Speech an “Evolution” for U.S. Policy, Says USIP Expert
President Barack Obama’s May 19 speech presents an important evolution rather than a decisive break with U.S. Middle East policy, particularly as it regards the crucial question of democratic reform in the Middle East, says USIP expert Dan Brumberg.
Sen. John McCain: U.S. Must Sustain Momentum of Arab Spring
Senator John McCain sees the Arab Spring as the most consequential event since the fall of the Ottoman Empire and for the U.S., a “moment when we must clearly define what we stand for, and not just what we are against.”
President Obama's Speech and Gender
Following President Obama's speech on the Middle East, USIP's Kathleen Kuehnast examines how gender plays an important role in peacemaking and prosperity, and the influential role women are playing in the Arab Spring.
Security Sector Transformation in the Arab Awakening
Countries transitioning to democracy must change old models of organizing the police, armed services, and intelligence services, which typically were characterized by mistreatment of the public, for models that stress transparency, accountability, and citizen involvement. Yet each new government in the Middle East and North Africa must tailor its reforms carefully and patiently in order to avoid backlash among security services.
USIP Prevention Newsletter - November 2012
The November 2012 Prevention Newsletter features a spotlight on the Network of Iraqi Facilitators (NIF) in Ninewa, Iraq: A team of three conflict resolution professionals from the NIF took the initiative to bring sectarian leaders to the table to negotiate a peaceful end to the cycle of violence plaguing Ninewa.
Security Sector Reform in Tunisia (Arabic Version)
The long-term success of Tunisia’s new democracy hinges on efforts to reform its security sector. Most in need of reform are the police, gendarme, and interior ministry.
Middle East in 2013: Promise and (Lots of) Peril
A new peace brief by Robin Wright and Garrett Nada provides an overview of four “Arab Spring” uprisings and a look ahead to the challenges of 2013.
Constitutional Reform in Transitional States: Challenges and Opportunities Facing Egypt and Tunisia
Countries emerging from authoritarianism frequently face constitutional challenges, among them sequencing constitutional reform with a transition to democracy, designing a constitutional review process that is seen as legitimate, and addressing substantive constitutional concerns.
USIP Prevention Newsletter - March 2012
The March 2012 Prevention Newsletter features a spotlight on U.S.-Pakistan Relations: The year 2011 saw a progressive deterioration in the U.S.-Pakistan relationship. But despite the fact that mutual mistrust is probably at an all time high, there is no appetite to allow the relationship to rupture.
Democracy, Like Revolution, is Unattainable Without Women
In this peace brief, author Sahar F. Aziz argues that the biggest challenge for women in Arab Spring countries is transforming their leadership and influence into high-level governance positions, both elected and appointed.