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.
To Counter COVID Amid Crises, Peacebuilding Steps Are Vital
As the world enters its third year fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, health care professionals have administered 10 billion-plus vaccine doses worldwide, protecting large majorities of people in rich countries. Yet few doses have reached those living in war zones or places affected by conflict or violence, who remain largely unvaccinated and vulnerable to the disease. Preventing those countries from falling further behind will require increasing the supply of vaccines, improving delivery and overcoming barriers to vaccine acceptance. It will also necessitate doing more to navigate the politics of vaccine administration, including through peacebuilding strategies that promote dialogue and trust with marginalized communities.
Ukraine War Fallout Will Damage Fragile States and the Poor
The world is gripped by the Russian invasion of Ukraine — already the most destructive European conventional military conflict since World War II. The damage being done most tragically to Ukraine, indirectly to Europe (not least the burden of refugee inflows) and to Russia (including as a result of crushing sanctions) is only too obvious. But the repercussions will be wider — for the global economy more generally and disproportionately for poorer countries, especially those affected by conflict and state fragility.
Rethinking U.S. Engagement with U.N. in the Context of Ukraine: Part One
The international community’s swift and unified response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been nothing short of historic. Countries around the world have offered their individual repudiation of Russia’s aggression, from sanctions to much-needed aid for Ukrainian forces and civilians. But it’s the resurgence of multilateral institutions such as the United Nations that has been one of the more interesting — and potentially powerful — developments so far.
Ukraine’s Defiance Could Force Putin into Talks
Three weeks of heroic resistance by Ukraine’s troops and citizen volunteers, buttressed by a historic international outpouring of support, have denied Russian President Vladimir Putin the lightning seizure of Ukrainian cities that he expected in his brutal assault. As Russia continues to indiscriminately bomb Ukraine’s cities, the stalled ground offensive may force Putin to recalculate. He could escalate violence, but also may be forced to negotiate — and a series of meetings between the two sides could be laying the groundwork for an agreement to stop the fighting. But to even consider any real negotiation, Putin must finally recognize that 44 million Ukrainians and their supporters will resist indefinitely.
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Shakes Up Venezuela’s Geopolitical Status Quo
As the United States gauges the global fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, U.S. officials quietly met with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in what marked a dramatic shift in longstanding U.S. policy. Despite cautious readouts from both sides, Venezuela’s subsequent release of two American prisoners indicates the meeting may have opened the door for future cooperation in addressing one of the world’s worst political, economic and humanitarian crises. USIP’s Ana Caridad and Keith Mines look at what we know about the trip, the possible diplomatic paths forward, where Venezuela’s opposition movement fits in, and how Venezuela’s deep ties to Russia might affect U.S.-Venezuelan engagement.
La Invasión Rusa de Ucrania Sacude el Statu Quo Geopolítico de Venezuela
Mientras Estados Unidos evalúa las consecuencias globales de la invasión rusa de Ucrania, los funcionarios estadounidenses se reunieron en silencio con el Presidente venezolano Nicolas Maduro en lo que marcó un cambio drástico en la establecida política exterior estadounidense. A pesar de las lecturas cautelosas de ambas partes, la posterior liberación de dos prisioneros estadounidenses por parte de Venezuela indica que la reunión puede haber abierto la puerta a una futura cooperación para abordar una de las peores crisis políticas, económicas y humanitarias del mundo. Ana Caridad y Keith Mines de USIP analizan lo que sabemos sobre el viaje, los posibles caminos diplomáticos a seguir, dónde encaja el movimiento de oposición de Venezuela y cómo los profundos lazos de Venezuela con Rusia podrían afectar el reciente relacionamiento entre Estados Unidos y Venezuela.
Andrew Scobell on Comparing Russia-Ukraine to China’s Aggression Toward Taiwan
While there are similarities between Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s aggression toward Taiwan, USIP’s Andrew Scobell says the two situations are markedly different upon closer inspection: “Russia also likes to flout international norms [while] China largely pretends to be playing by them.”
The Role of Religion in Russia’s War on Ukraine
On March 6, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill stood to deliver the sermon that traditionally ushers in the beginning of the Orthodox Lent. However, the most notable theme of his sermon had little to do with the annual period of Christian fasting. Instead, the patriarch chose to address a subject at the forefront of everyone’s minds: the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Helps the Taliban and Makes Afghans Worse Off
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is an acute disaster for Ukraine and Europe. But it also has a profound geopolitical impact — one that will have ripple effects for the major humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan. An active war in Europe is bad news for Afghanistan, as this draws away resources, sympathy and attention from the millions of Afghans that are also struggling to get cash, food and protection from human rights abuse. And the Taliban stand to benefit, since they no longer appear to be the world’s most notorious aggressor and will gain political space to consolidate their control over the country.
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia’s Balancing Act Over Russia’s War in Ukraine
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia have tried in different ways to balance the need for good relations with Moscow with a desire to support Ukrainian territorial integrity and sovereignty. Each has reason to be cautious: Moscow has exploited ongoing conflicts in all three countries to dominate its self-defined sphere of vital interests. While these conflicts persist, Moscow will maintain significant leverage over Yerevan, Baku and Tbilisi. Working with them to resolve these conflicts and preserve their sovereignty should be a priority for the United States and Europe.