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.
![National Security Advisor Rice Vows Long-Term Ties with Africa](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/20140730-Susan-Rice-760-NF.jpg?itok=sA5NTzgC)
National Security Advisor Rice Vows Long-Term Ties with Africa
National Security Advisor Susan Rice drew attention to Africa's progress in the past two decades and its possibilities for economic growth, good governance and long-term stability, in a speech at the U.S. Institute of Peace on the eve of next week's U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit.
![Release of the National Defense Panel report, “Ensuring a Strong U.S. Defense for the Future”](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/2014_QDR-cover.jpg?itok=nML0Mbx1)
Release of the National Defense Panel report, “Ensuring a Strong U.S. Defense for the Future”
On behalf of the co-chairs of the National Defense Panel, the United States Institute of Peace, the facilitating organization of the Panel, releases the following statement:
![Colombia’s War Survivors Appeal for U.S. Support, Responsibility](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/20140729-Columbia-Victims-5137-events_0.jpg?itok=83wNKauD)
Colombia’s War Survivors Appeal for U.S. Support, Responsibility
Victims of the five-decade war in Colombia, one of the world’s most longstanding conflicts, appealed during a visit to Washington this week for the U.S. and other nations to accept their share of responsibility for the effects and help end remaining fighting to improve the odds for the peace being negotiated in Havana.
![Immunity Cannot Allow Impunity](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/20110709-South_Sudan_Independence-Steve-Evans-Wiki.jpg?itok=ccc6cg5s)
Immunity Cannot Allow Impunity
African leaders want to exempt themselves from prosecution for terrible crimes -- but new research shows their people aren't as forgiving as they might think.
![Holding It Together](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/20140404-SSUDAN_REBELS_3-pc.jpg?itok=alsn1Tou)
Holding It Together
Ending conflict demands more than knowing why countries go to pieces -- it calls for knowing why they don't.
![How to Gauge Africa Summit Success? Updated, Realistic Perceptions](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/20140806-Guaging-US-Africa-Summit-Success-NF.jpg?itok=EV4zYKH0)
How to Gauge Africa Summit Success? Updated, Realistic Perceptions
President Barack Obama’s U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit will be a success to the extent that it updates the perception of Africa’s economic, political and social potential without underestimating the remaining problems of violence, dictatorship and corruption, according to two former assistant secretaries of state for African Affairs.
![The Crowd Who Would Be King](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/20110518-mobilesfilming-acampadasol-osvaldo-gago-flickr.jpg?itok=RfpvroiB)
The Crowd Who Would Be King
Technology is connecting people all over the world, giving them new power and a stronger voice. But is it making government any better?
![Q&A: The Future of Justice for Women in Afghanistan](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/20140405-AFGHAN_ELECTION_28-qa.jpg?itok=Y0xldbGT)
Q&A: The Future of Justice for Women in Afghanistan
The risk of backsliding in the status of women in Afghanistan after 12 years of significant strides is one of the biggest question marks surrounding the country's prospects amid the drawdown of the U.S.-led military coalition. Tim Luccaro, who has worked on traditional dispute resolution, women's access to justice and nonviolent conflict resolution in Afghanistan since 2010, considers what steps will be needed to secure the gains that have been made.
![U.S. Defense Budget Cuts Must Be Eased to Lower Risk, Panel Says](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/090414-NDP-Panel-NF.jpg?itok=VCHV64dn)
U.S. Defense Budget Cuts Must Be Eased to Lower Risk, Panel Says
U.S. defense budget cuts must be eased to lessen the risk for the military’s ability to respond to crises in an era of nearly unprecedented volatility and complexity around the globe, former Under Secretary of Defense Michèle Flournoy and retired Army Lieutenant General Michael Maples said in a recent discussion at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Their urgent warnings amplified the findings of a congressionally mandated assessment of the Pentagon’s central four-year plan, the 2014 Quadrennial De...
![If You Want Peace, You Have to Plan for It](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/20140919-Day-of-Peace-PC.jpg?itok=I7dnJZVe)
If You Want Peace, You Have to Plan for It
Sept. 21 will mark the annual observation of the International Day of Peace, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981 to commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace and to focus attention on the purpose of promoting peace by the world community. Marking a day of peace may seem idealistic especially against the grim parade of recent events, but to the contrary, its inspiration is decidedly pragmatic: If we do not take peace seriously enough to plan for it and to develop in...