Question And Answer
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.
International Intervention in Gaza: Options and Obstacles
The recent Hamas takeover of Gaza has led to calls for greater international intervention. With prominent figures calling for an international force in Gaza and along the Gaza-Egypt border to halt arms trafficking, what are the demands, options, and obstacles for international intervention scenarios?
The Iraq Hydrocarbon Law: How and When?
The much-discussed and often delayed Iraqi hydrocarbon law, approved by the Iraqi cabinet in February, is a bellwether for the future of the Iraqi state. Successful passage and implementation of the law would reflect a strong spirit of compromise and help to calm violence. If, on the other hand, the proposed law fails to pass, it will have negative repercussions for Iraq’s social, economic and political stability.
Public Opinion in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: From Geneva to Disengagement to Kadima and Hamas
Israeli analysts and pundits enjoy quoting Henry Kissinger’s assertion that "Israel has no foreign policy, only domestic policy." Kissinger’s comment, while stressed too strongly, captures well the common understanding among political scientists and international relations specialists that domestic considerations have a significant effect on foreign policy. This monograph focuses on one particular domestic imperative of utmost importance in periods of conflict and its resolution: public opini...
Ayatollah Sistani and the Democratization of Post-Ba'athist Iraq
Based on historical analysis and personal interviews with a number of aides and representatives of the grand ayatollah in Iran and Iraq since 2005, this report examines the role of Ayatollah Ali Hussaini Sistani in the democratization of post-Ba‘athist Iraq.
Haiti: Hope for the Future
Over the past year, Haiti has witnessed the democratic election of a new parliament, the return of relative security, and the first hints of economic recovery. Still, massive problems remain to challenge Haiti and Haiti’s primary international partner, the United States.
Syria: Dilemmas of Engagement
Mona Yacoubian addressed the Capitol Hill-based study group "Security for a New Century" on the complexities of U.S. engagement with Syria, both positive and negative.
2006-2007 Winning Essay
National First Place Winner Wendy Cai Corona Del Sol High School Tempe, Arizona Coordinator: Virginia Teeples In 2002, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan solemnly declared, "To accept the use of child soldiers in conflict is to accept the destruction of our future, one child at a time... we must reclaim them—every one of them."1 It is critical to understand the legacy of child soldiering and its implications for peacebuilding in order to help young soldiers rejoin civil so...
Truth Commission: Ecuador 07
Truth Commission: Truth Commission to Impede Impunity Duration: 2007 - 2009 Charter: Ministerial Accord No. 305 Commissioners: 4 Report: Public report in 2010.
Syria’s Alliance with Iran
Against a backdrop of growing instability in the Middle East, and despite continued pressure from the West, Syria’s alliance with Iran appears to be holding strong and perhaps even deepening. The United States has strongly criticized both Syria and Iran for contributing to the region’s volatility and, in particular, for playing a destabilizing role in each of three regional conflicts: Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine.
Armed Conflict as a Public Health Problem: Current Realities and Future Directions
What is the relationship between conflict and public health? The USIP/Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Task Force on Public Health and Conflict wrapped up its 2006-2007 activities with a public event featuring Dr. Christopher Murray and a discussion on armed conflict as a public health problem.