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.
Pakistan’s Tumultuous Media May Play Surprising Role
Pakistan’s media are changing as rapidly – and with as much volatility – as the rest of the country, and the debate over whether its role has been helpful or destructive to the nation’s emerging democracy can be equally vociferous. Two recent research projects examined elements of that question and largely found that the media may be more constructive than most observers think.
Insurgency and Counterinsurgency in South Asia
In Insurgency and Counterinsurgency in South Asia, ten experts native to South Asia consider the nature of intrastate insurgent movements from a peacebuilding perspective. Case studies on India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka lend new insights into the dynamics of each conflict and how they might be prevented or resolved.
Getting It Right in Afghanistan
As the United States and NATO prepare to withdraw their troops from Afghanistan in 2014, the question remains as to what sort of political settlement the Afghanistan government and the Taliban can reach in order to achieve sustainable peace. If all parties are willing to strike a deal, how might the negotiations be structured, and what might the shape of that deal be? Getting It Right in Afghanistan addresses the real drivers of the insurgency and how Afghanistan's neighbors can contribute to...
Questions and Answers with Scott Smith, Moeed Yusuf, and Colin Cookman, editors
The editors answer questions about their new book, Getting It Right in Afghanistan. As the United States and NATO prepare to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, the editors and contributors to this volume consider the possibilities for peace between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban. The introduction stresses the importance of using existing knowledge to improve the prospects of the end game in Afghanistan. Despite the body of analysis that USIP and many others have produced, policy...
USIP Report Examines Barriers to Dismantling Pakistani Militancy
A new Institute report offers an in-depth look at a security issue still confronting U.S. and other policymakers despite years of effort: the formidable internal obstacles to defeating violent militants in Pakistan.
Pakistan Prime Minister’s U.S. Visit: Essential Ties, Difficult Issues
Pakistan’s newly elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is in Washington for his first meeting with President Obama. All eyes are on the two to see what they can achieve over these three days.
Pakistan Election Victory for Sharif May Spur Change, Experts Say
USIP’s Andrew Wilder and Moeed Yusuf and other experts say broad support for the prime minister, combined with local wins by key opponents, might generate the right combination to force tough decisions that could move Pakistan forward.
USIP Experts Comment on Pakistan Elections
Andrew Wilder and Moeed Yusuf assess the turnout and results of the first Pakistan election in which a civilian government recognized as democratically elected completed a full term and will hand over to another democratically elected civilian administration.
What do Pakistan’s Vigorous Campaigns and Electoral Violence Mean for Unity Afterwards?
USIP’s Nadia Naviwala highlights the mood among the parties and the public on the eve of the May 11 vote.
Regional Politics and The Prospects for Stability in Afghanistan
The United States is planning its withdrawal from Afghanistan as the country faces three interrelated challenges: a weak national state, rising Islamic radicalism based in Pakistan’s tribal belt, and zero-sum regional politics. The stage is set for a balance-of-power contest between India and Pakistan played out in Afghanistan that could fuel another civil war in the country. This report details the nature of the tension between India and Pakistan over Afghanistan and outlines steps that the ...