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.
![Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Iraq](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/Provincial-3-1-07-web.jpg?itok=NIiGG2mT)
Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Iraq
In January 2007, President Bush announced that the United States would double the number of Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs), small civilian-military units that assist provincial and local governments to govern effectively and deliver essential services, as part of his plan for a "New Way Forward" in Iraq. This report examines the U.S. experience with PRTs in Iraq, notes shortcomings, and suggests ways they could be more effective.
![The Aceh Peace Process: Nothing Less than Success](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/Aceh-3-1-07-web.jpg?itok=D1UJ6DPJ)
The Aceh Peace Process: Nothing Less than Success
An EU-led mission completed its mandate of monitoring and supporting the peace process in the Indonesian province of Aceh on December 15, 2006. This report looks at the reasons for the successful outcome of the Aceh peace process, which offers useful lessons for peace implementation elsewhere.
![Political Progress in Iraq During the Surge](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/SR196-cover.jpg?itok=TN99ayvQ)
Political Progress in Iraq During the Surge
Rend Al-Rahim Francke concludes that the military surge has bettered the security situation in Baghdad. However, political progress has faltered and not matched these improvements.
![Employment Generation and Economic Development in Stabilization and Reconstruction Operations](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/Employment-3-1-07-web.jpg?itok=8UqVGJLX)
Employment Generation and Economic Development in Stabilization and Reconstruction Operations
It seems logical that improving the lives of those who have suffered from conflict would include a program to generate economic well-being in the immediate period after hostilities subside. Yet livelihood creation, the root of potential economic success and security, has often become a secondary objective in the transformation from war to peace.
![Personal Transformations: Moving from Violence to Peace](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/Personal-Trans-4-1-07-web.jpg?itok=vJFwhPLr)
Personal Transformations: Moving from Violence to Peace
Behavioral scientists have devoted considerable attention to religious extremism and the psychological factors that contribute to an individual’s propensity toward violence. However, relatively little data are available on those who abandon extremism and become proponents of conciliation and peace. Dr. Renee Garfinkel offers a number of tentative conclusions about individuals she has interviewed who have made this transition.
![Some Assembly Required: Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/Some-Assembly-11-1-07-web.jpg?itok=HG69g-aY)
Some Assembly Required: Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement
While Sudan has recently reached a Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) between the northern and southern regions, tensions still smolder. As commonoly said, "The devil is in the details," in implementation of the accord. To identify lessons learned from the negotiation of the agreement from 2002 to 2005 and its implementation since then, USIP conducted a project, the conclusions of which are discussed in this special report.
![Ayatollah Sistani and the Democratization of Post-Ba'athist Iraq](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/Ayatollah-6-1-07-web.jpg?itok=jJgmXg8y)
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.
![Burma's Long Road to Democracy](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/Burmas-Long-11-1-07-web.jpg?itok=xwfU4HHw)
Burma's Long Road to Democracy
In this Special Report, the author establishes the historical context for the recent Saffron Revolution in Burma, explains the persistence of military rule, and speculates on the country’s prospects for political transition to democracy.
![Haiti: Hope for the Future](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/Haiti-Hope-6-1-07-web.jpg?itok=SmBWpFUD)
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.
![Developing Media in Stabilization and Reconstruction Operations](https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/Stabilization-10-1-07-web.jpg?itok=NWQDmqz9)
Developing Media in Stabilization and Reconstruction Operations
In war-torn societies, the development of independent, pluralistic, and sustainable media is critical to fostering long-term peace and stability. This report outlines a series of steps for generating a strategy for media development in post-conflict zones.