Crisis in the Niger Delta

Crisis in the Niger Delta

Thursday, September 17, 2009

By: David R. Smock

USIP's David Smock explores the factors underlying and perpetuating the militancy in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria. In this report, based on an 11-day trip to Nigeria in late August 2009, Smock analyzes the prospects for the amnesty process, and why stronger political processes and economic development could help address the roots of the conflict there.

Type: Peace Brief

Mediation, Negotiation & DialogueEnvironmentEconomics

Reinforcing Treasury’s Strategic Roles in International Affairs and National Security

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

By: Jeremiah S. Pam

Amid the global financial crisis, USIP explores the Treasury Department's current functions and resources as a foundation to more effectively strengthen financial institutions and combat illicit finance in non G-20 countries. USIP's Jeremy Pam describes how the Treasury Department might be better organized to play a greater strategic role in international affairs that addresses financial crises in developing countries and, in doing so, serves U.S. national security interests.

EnvironmentEconomics

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

By: Megan Chabalowski;  Michael Dziedzic

USIP assesses several policy prescriptions and the areas of disagreement and agreement of how the international community and the region itself should address the problems in the struggling country.

Type: Peace Brief

Six Important Issues for Sudan and Its Future

Six Important Issues for Sudan and Its Future

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

By: Jon Temin

Most international attention devoted to Sudan has focused on the nationwide elections and the 2011 referendum on the status of southern Sudan.  Yet, there are other aspects of the north-south dynamic deserving of discussion and strategic thinking that don't receive their due.  In a new Peace Brief, USIP's Jon Temin examines six important issues and questions that require more consideration as the decisive events in Sudan’s political history approach.

Type: Peace Brief

Conflict Analysis & Prevention

Promoting Cross-LoC Trade in Kashmir

Promoting Cross-LoC Trade in Kashmir

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

By: Moeed Yusuf

The recent formation of the Federation of Jammu and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry has the potential to play a promising role in future efforts to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan over the disputed territory of Kashmir. In the special report, "Promoting Cross-Line of Control Trade in Kashmir," author Moeed Yusuf provides in-depth analysis of the fledgling entity and a concrete illustration of the opportunities and challenges of the way forward.  

Type: Special Report

Nonviolent Civic Action

Nonviolent Civic Action

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Nonviolent civic action includes such activities as boycotts and demonstrations undertaken by a group of people to persuade others to change their behavior. In this study guide, students will learn how nonviolent civic action has been used in the past to effect change without violence.

Type: Teaching and Learning Guide

Education & Training

An Education Track for the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process

An Education Track for the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

By: Barbara Zasloff;  Adina Shapiro;  A. Heather Coyne

Education plays a critical role in preparing communities for change and has made important contributions to post-conflict reconciliation in numerous war-torn societies, yet education issues have largely been excluded from past efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  A new USIP report argues why an education track should be included in the negotiations phase and in the text of an agreement itself, and puts forward practical recommendations on how Israelis and Palestinians – and t...

Type: Peace Brief

Education & TrainingReligionEducation & Training

Negotiating with Iran

Negotiating with Iran

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

By: John W. Limbert

John Limbert steps up with a pragmatic yet positive assessment of how to engage Iran. Through four detailed case studies of past successes and failures, he draws lessons for today’s negotiators and outlines 14 principles to guide the American who finds himself in a negotiation—commercial, political, or other—with an Iranian counterpart.

Type: Book

Reconciliation in Afghanistan

Reconciliation in Afghanistan

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

By: Michael Semple

In this timely and thorough volume, Michael Semple analyzes the rationale and effectiveness post-2001 attempts at reconciliation in Afghanistan. He explains the poor performance of these attempts and argues that rethinking is necessary if reconciliation is to help revive prospects for peace and stability in Afghanistan. 

Type: Book