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.
Syria, Libya, Mali Illustrate Dilemmas of Backing Militias
Militias often fill the vacuum in conflicts or post-conflict situations where government law-and-order authorities are unwilling or unable to carry out their functions. Such a situation creates a fundamental dilemma: What should the relationship be between arguably legitimate authorities and the militias, and how can the connection be managed responsibly?
Female Police Lieutenant Faces New Dangers in Transitioning Afghanistan
International Women of Courage awardee, Second Lieutenant Malalai Bahaduri, recently met with USIP staff, members of civil society and the U.S./Afghan Women’s Council to speak about how she became a successful police officer in Afghanistan and the new challenges she expects to face with the 2014 withdrawal of the coalition forces.
USIP Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Colombian Peace Process
On March 15th, USIP hosted a roundtable discussion on the Colombian peace process launched in Norway in October 2012 and now in its seventh round of talks in Havana.
Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Iraq
In Iraq, Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) were civilian-military organizations designed to operate in semi-permissive environments. PRTs were intended to achieve political objectives, counterterrorism and promote social and economic development.
Bringing Peace to a War
Colonel Paul Hughes reflects on USIP's presence in Baghdad facilitating inter-ethnic and inter-religious dialogue, conducting conflict resolution activities, supporting rule of law programs, and training Iraqi leaders in democratic principles.
Educating Younger Audiences about Peacebuilding in Iraq
Ann-Louise Colgan, USIP's Global Peacebuilding Center director, shares the impact of the newest video in the “Witnesses to Peacebuilding" series.
Afghan Women’s Voices Urgently Needed for Country’s Transition, Activists Say
To the backdrop of stunning photographs illustrating the achievements and remaining hurdles for women in Afghanistan, a USIP expert and the recipient of a U.S. award for courage joined other advocates in an urgent call for more Afghan women to be consulted in major decisions of the transition.
Prospects for Middle East Peace
Ahead of President Obama's trip to the Middle East, Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen, USIP’s senior program officer working on issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict discusses broader context.
Overcoming Obstacles to Peace
The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) hosted a panel on March 18 to discuss the findings of “Overcoming Obstacles to Peace: Local Factors in Nation Building,” a new RAND Corporation book that lays out data-based evidence on how international interventions can build more peaceful nations.
Copenhagen Process Tackles Delicate Topic of Detainees in Military Operations
Allegations of detainee mistreatment are not new and remain one of the most controversial aspects of contemporary military operations. The debate has led a number of states to embrace the 'Copenhagen Process: Principles and Guidelines' concerning the taking and handling of detainees.