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.
The Impact of New Media on Peacebuilding and Conflict Management
New media tools such as smartphones can help hold governments accountable and coordinate relief efforts, for example, but they can also convey inaccurate information and promote violent agendas. This study guide examines both the positive and negative effects of the new media and its potential for use in peacebuilding.
Lessons from Women's Programs in Afghanistan and Iraq
Despite years of efforts aimed at expanding women’s rights and opportunities in Iraq and Afghanistan, women in those countries face major obstacles in consolidating these gains. Recognizing that women’s empowerment contributes significantly to stability, USIP convened experts to assess what has been learned in developing women’s programs in Afghanistan and Iraq and to establish best practices for future programs in conflict zones.
Sudan and South Sudan: Independence and Insecurity
Jonathan Temin, director of Sudan programs at the U.S. Institute of Peace, testified on the situation in Sudan and South Sudan before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on March 14, 2012.
The Koran Desecration and the Role of Religion in Conflict
Qamar-ul Huda captures the key perspectives of a roundtable convened by the United States Institute of Peace which drew on the expertise of scholars, practitioners, U.S. government officials, and the policy community to discuss the implications of the burning of the Koran in Afghanistan in February, 2012.
Empowering Local Peacebuilders
Peacebuilding operations in conflict and post-conflict societies often undermine local capacity, ownership, and sustainability. The acknowledged remedy is to empower local actors to take the lead in planning and implementing programs, but few empowerment strategies that work in practice have been documented and explained.
Learning from Sudan’s 2011 Referendum
Despite dire predictions of violence around the referendum on the secession of southern Sudan, the vote in 2011 was largely peaceful. Understanding why is key to future efforts to prevent conflict.
Security Sector Reform in Tunisia
The long-term success of Tunisia’s new democracy hinges on efforts to reform its security sector. Most in need of reform are the police, gendarme, and interior ministry.
Innovative Transformation
This report examines the selection, training, and deployment of MoDA advisors as well as the strengths and shortcomings of the program. It incorporates the insights of returned advisors, MoDA program staff and instructors, and senior U.S. government officials in Washington and members of NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan (NTM-A). It was prepared at the request of the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Partnership Strategy and Stability Operations.
Nonviolent Civic Action
Nonviolent civic action includes such activities as boycotts and demonstrations undertaken by a group of people to persuade others to change their behavior. In this study guide, students will learn how nonviolent civic action has been used in the past to effect change without violence.
USIP President Testifies on the Value of Peacebuilding
USIP President Richard H. Solomon submitted the following written testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs on March 30. Solomon explains how USIP's peacebuilding and conflict management work minimizes the need for costly military interventions.