On November 11th, America will observe Veteran’s Day, so named in 1954 by President Eisenhower. For 35 years, Americans had celebrated Armistice Day in recognition of the end of World War I, and as a day dedicated to the “cause of world peace.” Following the massive mobilizations and sacrifices of World War II and the Korean War, however, Congress renamed Armistice Day as Veteran’s Day, and by so doing honored the millions more who had sacrificed for the common good.

Bugler in front of capitol

In his proclamation recognizing Armistice Day, President Wilson said:

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

Wilson’s call to recognize those who served in the “War to End All Wars” came on the heels of his failed effort to establish the League of Nations, and have America join it. Not until the end of World War II did America choose to join an international organization dedicated to the maintenance of peace and security, the United Nations. And in an effort to improve its abilities to prevent, mitigate and transform violent conflict, the United States established the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in 1984 to complement the work of America’s soldiers and diplomats at the State and Defense departments.

Today’s complex global environment poses security challenges that transcend the roles and responsibilities of our military forces. America’s conflicts have traditionally been military-dominated activities, but increasingly it is the diplomats and organizations like USIP who work in tandem with the military to achieve and maintain the desired result: the re-establishment and sustainability of peace.   

Since 1984, USIP has worked with both our diplomatic corps and military in our efforts to prevent and resolve international conflict. I saw this work from both angles. In 2003, as an active duty Army colonel I worked closely with USIP as it provided significant immediate conflict stabilization support to the American mission in Iraq. A few years later, as a retired Army officer, I was privileged to serve as USIP’s Iraq program director where we joined forces with the military and diplomats to 2007 to stabilize the violent “Triangle of Death” in Mahmoudiyah. Our institute staff of local Iraqi civilians and U.S. “peacebuilders” played a critical role in training conflict reconciliation facilitators who helped Iraqis peacefully resolve hot button issues. Since then, senior military leaders have recognized the value of USIP’s work in Iraq and several other countries in the region, including Libya and Tunisia. And the State Department has also welcomed USIP’s assistance in dealing with inter-ethnic and gender-based conflict in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Up close we see the very real sacrifices and commitment of all our colleagues on the ground. We value our work with them, now and in the future.

So, on this Veterans Day as the nation justifiably honors those members of the military who have served and died in defense of the United States, I wish to extend my own keen appreciation to fellow veterans and all the others who “show sympathy with peace and justice” in dangerous and remote places on behalf of the American people.


Latest Publications

¿Puede Honduras poner en orden su democracia en el 2025?

¿Puede Honduras poner en orden su democracia en el 2025?

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Días después de acusar a Estados Unidos de presionar a las fuerzas armadas hondureñas para destituirla de su cargo, la presidenta de Honduras, Xiomara Castro, dijo a cientos de seguidores a mediados de septiembre que no permitiría “otro golpe de Estado” en Honduras. Su esposo, Manuel Zelaya, fue destituido en un golpe militar en el 2009. Castro afirmó que el tratado de extradición de 112 años entre EE.UU. y Honduras fue el instrumento que EE.UU. usó para coaccionar a los militares en tal complot, justificando su decisión de terminar unilateralmente el tratado.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance

Australia’s Strategic Thinking on the War in Ukraine, NATO, and Indo-Pacific Security

Australia’s Strategic Thinking on the War in Ukraine, NATO, and Indo-Pacific Security

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Russia’s war against Ukraine has spurred closer cooperation between Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific states and organizations, particularly Australia and NATO, signaling a deepening of ties that could have long-term benefits for global security. Over the long term, writes security expert Gorana Grgić, such alignment is crucial for signaling to potential aggressors that global coalitions are prepared to respond. This report analyzes Australia’s response in order to examine Canberra’s strategic thinking with respect to cross-theater cooperation, and it offers recommendations for US, NATO, and Australian policymakers.

Type: Special Report

Conflict Analysis & PreventionGlobal Policy

Can Honduras Get Its Democracy in Order in 2025?

Can Honduras Get Its Democracy in Order in 2025?

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Days after accusing the United States of pressuring the Honduran armed forces into removing her from office, Honduran President Xiomara Castro told hundreds of her followers in mid-September that she would not allow “another coup” to happen in Honduras. Her husband, Manuel Zelaya, was ousted in a 2009 military coup. The 112-year-old U.S.-Honduran extradition treaty, she said, was the instrument used by the U.S. to coerce the military into such a plot, justifying her decision to unilaterally end the treaty.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance

Dean Cheng on What China’s Pressure on Taiwan Means for the Region

Dean Cheng on What China’s Pressure on Taiwan Means for the Region

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

As Beijing ratchets up military pressure along the Strait, Taiwan remains “the one area where we are most likely to see … a direct confrontation between the United States and China” because a conflict “would affect a lot of our allies [like] Japan, South Korea and the Philippines,” says USIP’s Dean Cheng. 

Type: Podcast

La transition en Haïti ne peut réussir sans le leadership des femmes

La transition en Haïti ne peut réussir sans le leadership des femmes

Monday, October 28, 2024

Malgré l’instabilité politique et les bouleversements sociaux les plus graves de son histoire au cours de la dernière décennie, Haïti a désormais l’occasion d’aller de l’avant. La sélection d’un Premier ministre efficace par un Conseil présidentiel de transition offre au pays une chance de rétablir la sécurité et d’organiser des élections pour la première fois depuis 2016. Mais pour que les progrès soient durables, il faudra un mélange de leadership transitoire et de leadership transformationnel. Et cela signifie mobiliser et respecter le rôle essentiel des femmes, qui sont actuellement sous-représentées à tous les niveaux de gouvernement et d’influence.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & GovernanceGender

View All Publications