As a national, nonpartisan, independent Institute, the U.S. Institute of Peace draws on our exceptional convening power to create opportunities for diverse audiences to exchange knowledge, experiences, and ideas necessary for creative solutions to difficult challenges. We serve as an important, neutral platform for bringing together government and nongovernment, diplomacy, security, and development actors, and participants across political views. The Institute’s events help shape public policy and priorities to advance peaceful solutions to conflict and strengthen international security.
On May 5, USIP hosted a conversation with the working group’s co-chairs as they presented findings from the final report. The discussion examined how elite capture of security sectors abroad can undermine the effectiveness of U.S. security sector assistance and drive violence — and what policymakers can do to make security sector assistance more effective.
On May 3, USIP, in partnership with the Alliance for Peacebuilding, kickstarted PeaceCon 2023 by bringing together senior officials, thought leaders, policymakers and practitioners from around the world to explore this year’s theme, “Beyond Fragile Ground: New Peacebuilding Architectures for Today and the Future,” as well as discuss new strategic approaches and peacebuilding frameworks to manage conflict and prevent violence.
On April 11, USIP hosted a conversation with Andrew Monaghan on what Russian grand strategy entails, how it manifests in the political, economic, and military spheres, and what this means for the United States and the future of global conflict in the era of great power competition.
On April 11, USIP hosted Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) — chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism and a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs — for a conversation exploring his views on how U.S. policy toward Tunisia should adjust to new realities on the ground.
On March 30, USIP hosted a conversation with George Black and several of the leading figures profiled in his new book. The discussion explored their intersecting efforts to orchestrate political reconciliation and personal redemption, demonstrating how former enemies can transform into friends and partners.
On March 29, USIP hosted a conversation with Montenegrin President Milo Đukanović on security and stability in the Balkans, the growing threat of Russian influence across the European continent, and the importance of NATO and the future of European security architecture.
On March 28, USIP and the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Criminal Justice and Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations held a discussion on how formal and transitional justice mechanisms have created or sustained momentum for democracy in states where democratic values are threatened by authoritarianism and conflict. The conversation included renowned civil society activists and Nobel laureates from Colombia, The Gambia and Ukraine who have worked to make justice processes more inclusive of — and available to — vulnerable populations as they seek to address the full breadth of harms suffered by civilian populations.
On March 27, USIP hosted a conversation with two prominent women, peace and security champions from the Horn of Africa on the sidelines of the U.S. Summit for Democracy. The discussion looked at the role of women’s inclusion and participation in advancing democratic political transitions to achieve sustainable peace.
On March 27, USIP hosted a discussion on the tensions between security, democracy and civil liberties, the costs and benefits of total defense/comprehensive security models, and the regulation and oversight of strong security sectors. The conversation examined lessons learned from Nordic and Baltic states, which could represent a thoughtful roadmap for ensuring Ukraine’s democracy continues to stand strong while maintaining effective and transparent security institutions that credibly deter interstate aggression.
On March 24, USIP hosted a conversation featuring representatives of key pro-democracy stakeholders, including major ethnic resistance organizations and the National Unity Government, who addressed the critical role of democracy in shaping a peaceful future. A panel of experts then discussed opportunities for U.S. and international assistance to support a peaceful and democratic Myanmar.