Research & Analysis
U.S. Institute of Peace’s articles, reports, tools and other features provide policy analysis, research findings, and practitioner guides. These publications examine critical conflict issues at the center of the Institute’s work to prevent and resolve violent conflict.
The views expressed in these publications are those of the author(s).
I2U2: India’s Diplomatic Tool for a Changing World Order
Using I2U2 as its main case study, this discussion paper looks specifically at New Delhi’s rationale for pursuing minilaterals that extend beyond bilateral ties and avoid the rigidities associated with formal multilateral groupings. I2U2 is the first minilateral involving India and the United States in the Middle East and also offers an example of how the two countries may work cooperatively on regional initiatives that complement one another’s strategic and economic interests.
Peacemaking in Crisis: Amid More Wars, Fewer Peace Agreements
USIP convened an expert panel of scholars and researchers over a four-month period in 2023–2024 to explore lessons learned from the management of conflicts in prior periods of global turbulence. This is the second paper in a three-part series from the convenings and discusses the state of peacemaking globally and for multilateral partnerships and institutions. The series was designed and managed by the Learning, Evaluation, and Research team at USIP’s Center for Thematic Excellence.
A Pivotal Partner: Renewing the US Role in Global Peacemaking
USIP convened an expert panel of scholars and researchers over a four-month period in 2023–24 to explore lessons learned from the management of conflicts in prior periods of global turbulence. This is the third paper in a three-part series from the convenings and presents some of the insights and recommendations from the expert group on renewing and reinvesting in the US role for peacemaking in a turbulent world. The series was designed and managed by the Learning, Evaluation, and Research team at USIP’s Center for Thematic Excellence.
Stigmatization Experienced by Families with Perceived ISIS Affiliation in Anbar Province
This discussion paper addresses the challenge of stigmatization faced by families in Iraq with perceived ISIS affiliation, particularly in Anbar province, where many have lived in the al-Hol camp. This stigma arises from community beliefs about their connection to ISIS through male relatives or past residence in ISIS-controlled areas. Stigmatization impacts these families' ability to reintegrate and includes harassment, rejection, property appropriation, and legal and social barriers. The paper includes key research findings and policy recommendations in response to these findings.
Moving Forward on North Korea: The Case for Bold Transitional Justice Initiatives in South Korea
Near- and medium-term prospects for the peaceful reunification of North and South Korea are poor, and steadily worsening. Nevertheless, this discussion paper argues that South Korea needs to prepare for a possible peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula. The paper proposes a five-step process to advance a bold transitional justice initiative in South Korea and ways that international actors can help. The paper concludes with recommendations to strengthen this transitional justice process.
A Public Perceptions Survey of China in Venezuela
This discussion paper presents and analyzes original data gathered in June 2023 on Venezuelan perceptions of China and the United States. The results show that China’s standing in Venezuela has declined in absolute terms and relative to the United States, which is commensurate with trends elsewhere in Latin America. Furthermore, it suggests the orientation of Venezuela’s foreign policy—including forging close ties to China and alienating the United States—is inconsistent with Venezuelan public preferences. Venezuelans, however, are not fully satisfied with the policy approach of either China or the United States toward Venezuela.
The New Dynamics of Contemporary Conflicts (Discussion Paper 24-003)
USIP convened an expert panel of scholars and researchers over a four-month period in 2023–24 to explore lessons learned from the management of conflicts in prior periods of global turbulence. This is the first paper in a three-part series from the convenings and focuses on the examination of contemporary conflict trends, drivers, and dynamics and how these differ from prior conflicts.
Putting Data Around Intergroup Violence and Sorcery Accusation–Related Violence in Papua New Guinea
This discussion paper provides analysis of newspaper reports from Papua New Guinea around two different but interconnected forms of violence: intergroup violence and sorcery accusation–related violence. The authors conclude that both types of violence are fueled by money politics, the widespread availability of guns and the normalization of violence, the erosion of traditional and local forms of leadership and regulation, and public service delivery failures.
Incorporating Citizen Preferences into the Design of Effective Peace Settlements
This paper describes the use of conjoint survey experiments to identify citizen preferences with respect to a possible peace agreement in Cyprus and a border agreement in Northern Ireland. The recommendations offered in the conclusion emphasize the flexibility of the method and its transferability to other conflict settings. Results also suggest ways of reinvigorating stalled peace negotiations (Cyprus) or improving past deals (Good Friday Agreement/Brexit-Northern Ireland) and can help contending groups and mediators identify potential zones of agreement by revealing areas where contending groups’ preferences overlap or differ and where possible trade-offs exist that could lead to greater consensus.
Citizen State and Community Relations in Building Local Governance
Since the revolution in 2011 and the toppling of the long-standing regime of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has experienced various degrees of political instability and conflict. A succession of internationally supported “transitions” have failed to bring the Libyan people a functioning state with a clear social contract based on a shared vision for the nation. This paper discusses the present challenges for good local governance as perceived by Libyan citizens and institutional actors. Through this lens, recommendations are offered for immediate, short-, and medium-term initiatives that can support the improvement of citizen relations with the three traditional arms of the state—the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.