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.
Russia’s War Has Created a Human Trafficking Crisis, Says U.N. Envoy
The humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine is rapidly turning into a human trafficking one in which women and children, who make up the majority of the refugees fleeing the war, are being exploited, according to the United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten. She said there is an urgent need for a “coordinated regional approach” to what she described as “a crisis within a crisis.”
What El Salvador Can Learn from Los Angeles on Preventing Gang Violence
When Latin American presidents gather this week for the Summit of the Americas, they will be meeting in a U.S. county where nearly half of the general population — and more than half of its youth — identify as Latino. Along with other immigrants, Latinos have helped power Los Angeles’ economy, both as entrepreneurs and workers. But they suffer disproportionately from poverty, struggle in school and lack regular access to health care.
Lo que El Salvador puede aprender de Los Ángeles sobre la prevención de la violencia de pandillas
Cuando los presidentes de América Latina se reúnan esta semana para la Cumbre de las Américas, se reunirán en un condado de EE. UU. donde casi la mitad de la población general, y más de la mitad de sus jóvenes, se identifican como Latinos. Junto con otros inmigrantes, los Latinos han ayudado a impulsar la economía de Los Ángeles, tanto como empresarios como trabajadores. Pero sufren de manera desproporcionada por la pobreza, encuentran dificultades en la escuela y carecen de acceso regular a la atención médica.
The United States Speaks Clearly on Russia’s Ukraine War
President Biden’s essay on the Ukraine war in Tuesday’s New York Times has vitally clarified America’s interests and goals following weeks of public debate weighted with uncertainty and concern over U.S. intentions and methods in that conflict. It offers a straightforward, positive approach—one that the world’s democracies should sustain—for confronting Russia’s assault against not only Ukraine, but global peace, stability and the rule of law.
Mounting Security Challenges Await Colombia’s Next President
In the first round of Colombia’s presidential elections, long-standing opposition leader Gustavo Petro and newly emerged outsider Rodolfo Hernández both handily defeated the conservative establishment candidate Federico Gutiérrez. The latter’s third-place finish signals Colombians’ resounding rejection of the country’s status quo and a rebuke of the political establishment and predominant elites.
Is ‘Neutralization’ Obsolete After the Ukraine War?
In the immediate aftermath of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, some observers speculated that Kyiv could agree to terms of “neutralization” as part of a peace agreement. That notion, however, has been discarded in the intervening months, as Russia’s brutality and war crimes have led to both Ukraine and the international community hardening their stance on the contours of a peace agreement. Sweden and Finland have even decided to abandon their decades of neutrality and applied to join NATO. Will the Russia-Ukraine war be the death knell of neutralization?
Blinken lays out three-part U.S. approach to China. But what’s missing?
Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a long-awaited speech last week outlining the administration’s China strategy. His remarks detailed a tough approach to China that nevertheless left the door open to diplomacy between the two countries on issues of common interest. Blinken described China as the “most serious long-term challenge to the international order” but still “integral to the global economy and to our ability to solve challenges from climate to COVID.”
Historic UAE-Israel Trade Deal Proves Abraham Accords' Resilience
Nearly two years since the signing of the Abraham Accords — U.S.-brokered agreements normalizing Israeli relations with the UAE and Bahrain — the bilateral hope and promise encapsulated in that diplomatic achievement have borne fruit in several arenas. This is particularly the case between Israel and the UAE, underscored most recently by the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between the two countries on May 31. Indeed, the agreement follows a steady pace of warming ties and joint endeavors since the two countries agreed to normalize ties in 2020.
Somalia’s Critical Transition Comes amid al-Shabab and Hunger Challenges
On May 15, Somali legislators selected former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to reprise the chief executive role he played from 2012-2017. The vote marks a critical transition for Somalia and in the Horn of Africa, particularly after the election was delayed by two years and marred by corruption and violence. President Hassan Sheikh will return to power in a country seemingly splitting at the seams, amid a devastating drought, a metastasizing terrorist threat and a fractious political scene. Meanwhile, President Biden has decided to redeploy U.S. troops to fight the terrorist group al-Shabab, reversing a move made by President Trump at the end of his term.
I almost negotiated Israel-Syria peace. Here’s how it happened.
In the summer and fall of 2010, American mediation aiming for peace between Israel and Syria was gaining momentum. Both sides had agreed that the United States could table a draft treaty and shuttle the text between Damascus and Jerusalem for comments and proposed revisions.