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.
Getting to ‘Afghan Good Enough’
With the Obama administration poised to transition the bulk of its forces out of Afghanistan by 2014, it’s all the more critical to build credible, accountable and enduring institutions there.
Nigeria’s 2011 Elections: Best Run, but Most Violent
Nigeria’s 2011 elections were the most violent yet—claiming 800 lives in three days. Breaking the cycle of violence includes ending impunity for political violence, cultivating local peacebuilding initiatives and strengthening local democratic institutions.
U.S. Special Envoys: A Flexible Tool
This report is based on interviews with nine current and three former U.S. special envoys, conducted between October 2010 and March 2011. It’s part of a U.S. Institute of Peace special oral history project supported by the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST).
Five Myths of Afghan Reconciliation
Amid the budding political discourse on a peace process in Afghanistan, USIP’s Gordon Lubold examines five myths about reconciliation.
Chester Crocker on the State of Peacebuilding
Chester A. Crocker, long-serving member of USIP's Board of Directors, discusses the future of peacebuilding, the impacts of cuts to national security budgets, his contributions as a board member and chairman, USIP's unique national security functions and Academy, and more.
Steven Heydemann on International Diplomatic Pressures on Syria
USIP Mideast expert Steven Heydemann examines the reasons behind the regime's escalation of violence, the international community's response, and additional steps that the U.S. might take to pressure the Assad government.
USIP’s Lawrence Woocher on the New Steps to Prevent Genocide
USIP’s Lawrence Woocher discusses President Barack Obama’s major announcement Thursday on new steps to prevent mass atrocities, including the creation of an interagency Atrocities Prevention Board and other initiatives.
African Presidents at USIP Couple Democracy, Security
The elected presidents of four Francophone countries in West Africa, appearing at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) on July 28, called for consolidating democratic advances in their countries after what for most has been a debilitating period of conflict, dictatorship and political struggle.
Optimism and Obstacles in India-Pakistan Peace Talks
USIP is engaged in research and dialogue on India-Pakistan relations. This brief applies a problemsolving lens and draws upon the lessons provided by the Track II dialogue process.
The Kabul Courts and Conciliators: Mediating Cases in Urban Afghanistan
Between January 2010 and July 2011, a USIP researcher officer, Zuhal Nesari, observed court proceedings, collected data and conducted interviews in civil and criminal divisions of Kabul’s fourth zone Primary Court in addition to commercial and family courts.