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.
Russia's Putin 'Could Solve' Ukraine Crisis, Ex-U.S. Ambassador Says
Stacks of red coffins being transported from Ukraine back to Russia after deadly fighting at an airport in eastern Ukraine last week are among the telltale signs of Russia’s responsibility for the crisis gripping its neighbor, said William B. Taylor, a vice president at the U.S. Institute of Peace and a former ambassador to Ukraine.
Can Big Data Stop Wars Before They Happen?
It has been almost two decades exactly since conflict prevention shot to the top of the peace-building agenda, as large-scale killings shifted from interstate wars to intrastate and intergroup conflicts.
Let Afghan Voters Finish the Job
Kabul has been full of rumors about an attempt to reach a "political deal" in order to avoid a second round of voting required by the constitution. Strangely, most of the commentary in the western press has treated such a deal as if it would be desirable. We believe it would be a huge mistake.
Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict? First, Understanding It
The Global Summit to End Sexual Violence, co-hosted in London this week by British Foreign Secretary William Hague and actress and United Nations envoy Angelina Jolie, will draw on research by young scholars who have documented the causes, responses and potential solutions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, El Salvador and elsewhere. The researchers recently highlighted their significant and often unanticipated findings at the U.S. Institute of Peace.
From Ruins to Resilience: The Path Toward Recovery in Ukraine
Despite the destruction wrought by Russia’s invasion, Ukraine has continued to provide services to its people at an exemplary level throughout the war. This commendable resilience stems from significant investments and reforms made over the last 30 years. Notably, bolstering institutional capacity, the digitalization of public services, robust engagement with civil society, and a deeply rooted culture of voluntarism have all played crucial roles. Furthermore, the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), where I serve as Ukraine’s resident representative, has been instrumental in building resilience across all strata of Ukrainian society.
Active Neutrality: Malaysia in the Middle of U.S.-China Competition
From its experience of centuries-long colonization to dealing with decades-long Cold War politics, Malaysia is no stranger to navigating major power competition, which it sees as a recurring reality in international politics. Today’s U.S.-China rivalry is just the latest round — it is not the first and it will not be the last. Still, it is important to consider how U.S.-China competition impacts Malaysia and how it, like other small and secondary states in the region, seeks to exercise agency. Even as this major power rivalry intensifies and limits the country’s space for maneuvering, Malaysia insists on employing “equidistant diplomacy” to hedge against multiple risks and cultivate long-term options.
Amid a Region Rife with Coups and Instability, Ghana is a Democratic Bulwark
Ghanian President Nana Akufo-Addo is in Washington this week as the United States re-examines its strategy and engagement in West Africa and the Sahel, which have seen eight coups since 2020. Ghana stands out as a bastion of democracy in this region, where nearly 150 million people are today under the rule of armed forces.
Haïti a besoin d'un dialogue politique parallèlement à la mission de sécurité multinationale
Cette semaine, le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU a voté en faveur de l'envoi d'une force armée multinationale en Haïti dans l'espoir de faire face à la violence endémique des gangs et à l'instabilité qui sévissent dans la nation caribéenne en difficulté. Bien qu'il n'y ait pas encore de calendrier officiel pour son déploiement, la force dirigée par le Kenya sera confrontée à un environnement sécuritaire complexe, d'autant plus rendu redoutable par les troubles politiques persistants en Haïti. Le succès de la mission dépendra non seulement de la capacité de la force déployée à établir rapidement la paix, mais aussi de sa capacité à ouvrir la voie à une réinitialisation gouvernementale significative et démocratique dans ce pays historiquement tumultueux.
What’s Next After Hamas’ Attack on Israel?
A week after Hamas’ heinous attack in southern Israel, the grim reality of a protracted war has set in. As of this writing, 1,300 Israelis, mostly civilians, have been killed and Israeli officials believe as many as 150 hostages have been taken by Hamas. U.S. officials have said that 27 U.S. citizens were also killed. As Israel intensifies its operations in the Gaza Strip, 2,000 Palestinians have been killed. There are thousands of wounded on both sides. With Israel calling up 360,000 reservists, a cessation of hostilities seems a distant prospect.
Cautious Hopes for a Breakthrough in Venezuela
Hopes that an election in Venezuela next year might resolve the country’s political divisions and revive a moribund economy have reemerged as the Biden administration and Nicolás Maduro’s regime are reportedly near an agreement to lift some U.S. sanctions in return for steps to hold a fair contest in 2024. Still, considering recent history, skepticism abounds among the international community that the authoritarian government would allow an opposition candidate to win the election and take office.