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.
Managing Crisis and Sustaining Peace between China and the United States
A series of crises have strained relations between the People’s Republic of China and the United States since the end of the Cold War. Although none of these crises led to direct military hostilities, they have had an adverse impact on bilateral relations and portend future such crises between the two countries. To determine how best to mitigate such crises in the future, it is important to study these recent crises and identify the positive and negative responses and actions of both governm...
Kashmir: A Problem in Search of a Solution
The ongoing territorial dispute between India and Pakistan over the status of the contested areas of Jammu and Kashmir (henceforth Kashmir) is well known and well documented. This study acknowledges that any resolution of this dispute may be many years in the making.
How Not to Make Peace: "Conflict Syndrome" and the Demise of the Oslo Accords
The failure of the Oslo Accords has been attributed to a variety of factors, including deficiencies in the accords themselves, failures of implementation, and the play of domestic politics. These are all critical factors that describe what happened, but they do not explain why each side behaved as it did--that is, why each side made choices that would only increase the likelihood of the accords' failure.
Dismantling the DPRK's Nuclear Weapons Program: A Practicable, Verifiable Plan of Action
Verified dismantlement of the nuclear weapons program of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) can be accomplished successfully. Although difficulties abound in reaching an agreement with the DPRK to achieve this goal, the methods and steps involved in the dismantlement process are well understood.
Remembering George Kennan: Lessons for Today?
George F. Kennan, the father of containment, was a rather obscure and frustrated foreign service officer at the U.S. embassy in Moscow when his "Long Telegram" of February 1946 gained the attention of policymakers in Washington and transformed his career. What is Kennan’s legacy and the implications of his thinking for the contemporary era? Is it possible to reconcile Kennan’s legacy with the newfound emphasis on a "democratic peace?"
Jordan and Iraq: Between Cooperation and Crisis
President Bush's visit to Jordan this week has brought new attention to the role of Iraq's neighbors. As part of the Institute's Iraq and its Neighbors initiative, Scott Lasensky has completed an in-depth study on Jordan and the myriad of challenges it now faces because of a weak Iraq.
Northern Ireland: Prospects for Progress in 2006?
Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement has been held up internationally as a model for successful peacekeeping. However, its flaws, specifically those made in attempt to achieve its full implementation, have contributed to the current difficulties in the peace process.
Kosovo: Ethnic Nationalism at Its Territorial Worst
Even with negotiations underway under the auspices of the United Nations, the future status of Kosovo remains reliant on the current conditions on the ground. With Pristina and Belgrade showing no signs of compromise, a partition of Kosovo could lead to disasterous implications for the region.
Mullahs, Money, and Militias: How Iran Exerts Its Influence in the Middle East
This report focuses on Iran's interactions with groups in Lebanon, Iraq, and to a lesser extent, the Palestinian territories. The intent is to help policymakers understand the real extent of Iranian influence so that they can better motivate Iran and its allies to become more constructive actors in the Middle East.
The United Nations and Western Sahara: A Never-ending Affair
The United Nations' efforts to resolve the dispute over Western Sahara—with James Baker serving as mediator—is examined to develop lessons learned on international conflict mediation.