On April 10, USIP hosted a conversation on “Prospects for Peace in Afghanistan,” moderated by former National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, currently senior adviser for International Affairs at USIP. Key individuals involved in the peace process and independent experts on Afghanistan discussed opportunities and obstacles to peace, what a credible election and an inclusive peace process would look like, and the policy priorities required to increase the prospects for durable peace in Afghan...

On April 6, USIP convened a panel of regional experts to discuss how Afghanistan’s immediate neighbors – Pakistan, Iran, and the bordering Central Asian Republics – view the present situation and impending security transition in Afghanistan, and what their role and policies are likely to be between now and 2014, and beyond.  

Conflict Analysis & Prevention

On April 4, 2012, USIP hosted a public event on Security Sector Transformation in Post-Conflict Liberia featuring the Liberian Defense Minister, Hon. Brownie Samukai.  He outlined plans to have the nation’s security forces and institutions fully operational by 2014, and discussed implications of the transition for Liberia and the sub-region. 

On March 28 USIP hosted a presentation by Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman who recently concluded visits to five key African states. Wendy Sherman shared her observations about the importance of a holistic approach to sustained political and social development, as well as economic growth.

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Environment;  Economics

With ongoing violence and mounting tensions between them, both Sudan and the newly independent South Sudan face a defining task in the near future: writing new constitutions.  Panelists in this event explored the state of constitutional development in each country and the role the constitution making processes can play in addressing on-going conflicts, and make recommendations for how the processes can reach their full potential. Read the event coverage, USIP Supporting Development of New ...

Mediation, Negotiation & Dialogue

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) and Peace Brigades International (PBI), two of the leaders in unarmed civilian protection, will present how peacekeeping works without guns, what lessons are being learned, and how this practice can now be brought to scale.  

Conflict Analysis & Prevention

Jay Solomon, foreign affairs correspondent of the Wall Street Journal, and Daniel Brumberg, USIP’s senior adviser in the Center for Conflict Management, examined two of the most significant challenges for the Middle East, Iran and Syria, and the ramifications their interplay has for U.S. regional strategy.

Human Rights;  Mediation, Negotiation & Dialogue

As the Syrian uprising enters its second year, uncertainty about the challenges confronting women and minorities looms especially large.  Women have played a critical role throughout the uprising, with activists like Suhair al-Attasi, Razan Zaitouneh, and others emerging as leaders of protest and resistance to the Assad regime.  Yet their contributions have often been overshadowed. Questions persist about whether women’s concerns and perspectives will be fully addressed, either in the current...

Gender