Events at USIP

Latest Episodes:

Breaking Rules to Build Peace Oct 22, 2018

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Why do peacebuilders sometimes succeed and sometimes fail, even within the same country? Why can organizations not guarantee the same results from the same policies? In her newly published book, Global Governance and Local Peace: Accountability and Performance in International Peacebuilding, Susanna Campbell dives into why peacebuilding organizations often fail and presents one of the keys to success: local actors that force organizations to stay accountable to local peacebuilding goals.

Speakers: Susanna Campbell Assistant Professor, School of International Service, American University

Michael Barnett Professor, International Affairs and Political Science, The George Washington University

Mike Jobbins Senior Director of Partnerships and Engagement, Search for Common Ground

Kate Somvongsiri Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau of Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, U.S. Agency for International Development

Leanne Erdberg, moderator Director, Countering Violent Extremism, The U.S. Institute of Peace

Civil Resistance and Democratization Oct 10, 2018

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A groundbreaking new monograph, “When Civil Resistance Succeeds: Building Democracy After Popular Nonviolent Uprisings,” by Jonathan Pinckney, demonstrates that nonviolent movements make democratic transitions more likely and lead to stronger democracies. The U.S. Institute of Peace and ICNC hosted a presentation by Dr. Pinckney followed by a panel discussion. The event provided key takeaways for activists and organizers, democratization experts, as well as external actors interested in supporting nonviolent movements, particularly prior to and during democratic transition.

Pakistan's New Government: Change or Continuity in Foreign Policy? Oct 04, 2018

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As the new Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government settles into its second month in office, it has yet to publicly articulate a comprehensive vision for its foreign policy. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has promised that Pakistan’s foreign policy will “begin and end at Pakistan,” but many questions remain on how the government intends to implement this vision.

At an initial meeting in Islamabad earlier in September, Secretary Pompeo expressed a desire to find common ground between the two countries, but also reiterated the United States has “real expectations” for the new government.

In recent months, the U.S. government has also moved to prioritize a peace process in Afghanistan, historically a major source of contention between the United States and Pakistan. How can we expect Pakistan’s new government to respond?

Speakers:

Shah Mahmood Qureshi Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Islamic Republic of Pakistan

China: Managing Conflict and Competition - A Bipartisan Congressional Dialogue Sep 27, 2018

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The evolution of U.S.-China relations over the last 40 years presents challenges that, if not properly managed, threaten American leadership in key places of strategic interest, from Asia to Africa to the Western Hemisphere. Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) and Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) joined USIP for a Bipartisan Congressional Dialogue about the People’s Republic of China as it increases its malicious activity in cyberspace, expands its military capabilities and presence around the globe, and uses economic tools to gain strategic leverage and undermine democracy in fragile states.

What Drives Violence in Central America's Northern Triangle? Sep 25, 2018

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Violence and crime are the main drivers of mass immigration from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador into the United States. These countries form a region known as the Northern Triangle, which ranks in the top 10 worldwide for homicide, corruption, drug trafficking and gang violence. Over the past several decades, a significant amount of U.S. funds have been allocated to the war on drugs, rather than for security, peace and development. As conflict continues to escalate in Central America, how can the U.S. mitigate the violence, support and strengthen rule of law, and curb immigration?

Speakers: Steve Olive Acting Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for Latin America, USAID, Opening Remarks

Lisa Haugaard Executive Director, Latin America Working Group

Steve Hege Senior Expert, Colombia, U.S. Institute of Peace

Adam Isacson Director for Defense Oversight, WOLA

Enrique Roig Director, Citizen Security Practice Area Creative Associates International

China's Role in Myanmar's Internal Conflicts Sep 17, 2018

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For six months this year, USIP convened a group of 13 senior experts to examine China’s involvement in Myanmar’s internal conflicts—particularly those in Rakhine, Kachin, and Shan states—and peace process. On September 17, USIP hosted a discussion with the group’s co-chairs on the main findings of their report, which is the first in USIP’s China Senior Study Group series examining China’s influence on conflict dynamics around the world.

Speakers: Nancy Lindborg, opening remarks President, U.S. Institute of Peace

Ambassador Derek Mitchell President, National Democratic Institute Co-chair, USIP China-Myanmar Senior Study Group

Daniel Twining President, International Republican Institute Co-chair, USIP China-Myanmar Senior Study Group

David Steinberg Distinguished Professor of Asian Studies Emeritus, Georgetown University Member, USIP China-Myanmar Senior Study Group

Jennifer Staats, moderator Director, East and Southeast Asia Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace Executive Director, USIP China Senior Study Groups Series

Task Force on Extremism in Fragile States - Interim Report Launch Sep 12, 2018

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This interim report of the Task Force on Extremism in Fragile States explains why such a preventive strategy is needed and what it might entail. In 2019, the Task Force will propose a comprehensive preventive strategy to mitigate the conditions that give rise to violent extremism

Speakers:

Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats

Task Force Co-Chair Governor Tom Kean

Senator Kelly Ayotte

USIP President Nancy Lindborg

U.K. Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt on Foreign Policy Aug 21, 2018

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Amid unprecedented challenges to the postwar order, the U.S.-U.K. special relationship is critical to upholding democracy and the rule of law and promoting international peace and stability. Speaking at USIP—a U.S. national institute dedicated to preventing violent conflict and building peace around the world—the foreign secretary spoke about the challenges currently being presented to the rules-based international order and how the U.K. will work in partnership with other like-minded countries around the world to address them.

Pakistan Elections-- What Now? Aug 08, 2018

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Pakistan's national elections on July 25 ushered in a new government, with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party now set to head a new governing coalition and former cricket star Imran Khan expected to become prime minister. After a controversial campaign period, the incumbent Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)—whose former leader Nawaz Sharif was imprisoned just days before the elections—has alleged rigging, military manipulation, and media censorship. Several political parties have also challenged the results of the elections.

To discuss the outcome of the elections, the shape of the next government, and the complaints and challenges to the outcome, USIP held a conversation with senior representatives from Pakistan’s top three political parties (PTI, PML-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party) via Skype along with experts Daniel Markey and Moeed Yusuf in Washington, D.C.

Speakers: Syed Tariq Fatemi (via Skype) Former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister

Daniel Markey Senior Research Professor, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University

Naveed Qamar Former Minister for Defense

Jumaina Siddiqui Senior Program Officer, U.S. Institute of Peace

Asad Umar Central Senior Vice President, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf

Moeed Yusuf, moderator Associate Vice President, Asia Center, U.S. Institute of Peace

Faith and Fragile States - Political Stability and Religious Freedom Jul 27, 2018

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Religion influences both peace and conflict worldwide. Violent extremism is often framed in religious terms, and religious discrimination continues to increase as both a driver and symptom of conflict. But, religion drives peace and coexistence as well and religious actors are essential for advancing religious freedom. Efforts to engage religious actors in countering violent extremism (CVE) and interfaith peacebuilding must take this dichotomy into account.

Perpetrators of violence in the name of a religion often target vulnerable religious minorities, resulting in increased discrimination, social hostility and extremist behavior. This discussion explores how policymakers and practitioners can engage religious actors in CVE efforts in ways that ensure protection and the advancement of international religious freedom.

Opening Remarks:

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), Former U.S. Representative from Virginia

Tony Garrastazu, Senior Director, Center for Global Impact, International Republican Institute

Panelists:

Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, President, Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies

Humera Khan, President, Muflehun

Oliver Wilcox, Deputy Director, Countering Violent Extremism, Bureau of Counterterrorism, U.S. Department of State

Rev. Prof. Fadi Daou, Chair and CEO, Adyan Foundation, Professor, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik

Moderator: Nancy Lindborg, President, U.S. Institute of Peace