Question And Answer
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 Next Chapter: The United States and Pakistan
On October 2, 2008, the USIP-cosponsored Pakistan Policy Working Group released a report with recommendations to the next administration as it develops its strategic options relating to Pakistan. The recommendations are endorsed by Richard L. Armitage, former deputy secretary of state and Lee Hamilton, former U.S. representative and co-chair of the 9/11 Commission and the Iraq Study Group.
Thwarting Afghanistan’s Insurgency: A Pragmatic Approach toward Peace and Reconciliation
Afghanistan is in a crucial phase of transition. In this report, USIP's first Afghanistan fellow Masoom Stanekzai, who has interviewed a broad spectrum of Afghan senior government officials, members of the international community, and ordinary citizens in the country, shares his recommendations for a pragmatic approach toward peace and reconciliation.
Killing Friends, Making Enemies: The Impact and Avoidance of Civilian Casualties in Afghanistan
This USIPeace Briefing discusses the enormous problem of civilian casualties in Afghanistan; the “troops-in-contact” dilemma regarding air power; challenges in intelligence gathering; losses in the information war with Taliban forces; and policy recommendations to mitigate this trend.
On the Issues: Afghanistan/Pakistan
J Alexander Thier puts into context the new strains on Afghanistan and Pakistan's relationship including the recent assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and Afghanistan's resurgent Taliban and out of control opium trade.
Media and Conflict: Afghanistan as a Relative Success Story
The development of media in post-Taliban Afghanistan has been relatively successful. However, such development remains incomplete and still faces many challenges. Hence, the international community must continue to assist and support these efforts.
How We Missed the Story
Award-winning journalist Roy Gutman weaves a narrative that exposes how and why the U.S. government, the United Nations, and the Western media "missed the story" in the leadup to 9/11.
Stabilizing Afghanistan
Briefing before the bipartisan Congressional briefing series sponsored by Congressmen Howard Berman (D-CA) and Chris Shays (R-CT) on the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan and the status of U.S. and international efforts to stabilize the country with J Alexander Thier and the International Crisis Group.
Bridging Modernity and Tradition: Rule of Law and Search for Justice in Afghanistan
A legitimate, functioning and coherent justice system is urgently needed in Afghanistan, where a legacy of three decades of war, continued insecurity, endemic corruption, and lack of resources hobble development. In this light, USIP has produced a new USIPeace Briefing discussing the challenges of building rule of law as well as mechanisms of formal and informal justice in the country.
Hearts and Minds: Afghan Opinion on the Taliban, the Government and the International Forces
Since the election of new leaders and the establishment of a new constitution, the government of Afghanistan has been trying to prove its legitimacy and ability to foster stability, security, and the rule of law. Understanding current trends in public opinion can aid in tailoring the international intervention to ensure that prior progress is not lost and that elements corroding the strength of the state are diminished.
Rebuilding Civil Society in Afghanistan: Fragile Progress and Formidable Obstacles
Nearly six years after the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, efforts to develop civil society are showing tentative signs of progress. The effectiveness of civil society in influencing development in the provinces remains low, and rising insecurity in many regions threatens the future prospects of the nascent Afghan civil society.