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.
Mali’s Precarious Democracy and the Causes of Conflict
The fight to defeat jihadist militias in northern Mali has masked the underlying countrywide political crisis that feeds the conflict, according to this new Special Report. By engaging in intercommunal, inclusive dialogue to address past governance failures, Mali can begin to move toward stability and legitimacy.
African Leaders Outline Roots of Stability, Economic Growth
Leaders of Sierra Leone, Senegal, Malawi and Cape Verde explain their approaches to governing to achieve stability and economic development during a discussion at USIP. The group visited Washington as part of the Obama administration’s efforts to promote examples of good governance and economic growth in Africa.
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?
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.
U.N. Special Representative Calls for Greater Steps to End `Scourge’ of Sexual Violence in War
Speaking at a major conference held at USIP, former Sierra Leone policymaker and diplomat Zainab Hawa Bangura appealed for greater political will, public determination, and improved technical capacity to prevent and prosecute the “vile crime.” The effects of continued impunity devastate survivors and weaken a society’s ability to recover from war.
Military Intervention in Mali vs. Syria: When is the Path Rocky or Paved?
France’s rapid intervention in Mali in early January is particularly striking when compared to the lengthy debate over international intervention in Syria, which has thus far produced only inaction. USIP’s Rachel Brandenburg explores what considerations made French intervention in Mali feasible while constraining action in Syria.
Al-Qaida on the Rise in North Africa?
USIP’s Dan Brumberg considers the potential for al-Qaida’s growth in North Africa, and the challenge this poses to U.S. relationships with the new, post-conflict governments in the region.
Complex Mali Crisis Analyzed at USIP Meeting
The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) on December 18 hosted a public meeting, examining the growing instability in Mali: “Crisis in Mali: Causes and Options.”
