Events at USIP

Latest Episodes:

Hidden Wounds - Trauma and Civilians in the Syrian Conflict Apr 16, 2018

Show notes

Seven years of conflict in Syria have exacted an enormous human toll and led to widespread physical destruction. The psychological impact of the war, although less visible, has been just as devastating. The levels of trauma and distress impacting Syrian civilians, especially children have been staggering with nearly 500,000 killed, half the population displaced and more than 13 million Syrians in need of humanitarian assistance. The traumatic impact of the Syrian conflict is less often acknowledged, but could significantly impair the ability of Syrian civilians to recover and build a more peaceful future. Join USIP and specialists from the Syrian American Medical Society, the U.S. State Department and Save the Children for a panel discussion, addressing an aspect of the Syrian conflict that often receives less attention than it deserves.

Speakers:

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

Mona Yacoubian, moderator Senior Advisor, Syria, the Middle East and North Africa, USIP

Catherine Bou-Maroun Foreign Affairs Officer, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Dr. Mohamed Khaled Hamza Mental Health Committee, Chair; & Foundation Board Member, Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), Professor of Clinical Mental Health, Lamar University-Texas State System

Amy Richmond Director, Child Protection in Emergencies, Save the Children

Colombia Peace Forum - Elections and Peace Processes in Colombia Apr 16, 2018

Show notes

While threats of violence marred recent legislative campaigns in Colombia, the March 11 election was Colombia’s most peaceful in decades. Although the FARC’s new political party underperformed, its comprehensive demobilization was palpable and the National Liberation Army (ELN), the country’s second-largest rebel group, respected a temporary unilateral ceasefire. For the first time in 50 years, ballots were cast freely throughout the country and not a single incident of violence was recorded.

With the composition of Colombia’s next Congress set, jockeying and coalition-building among the main candidates is fully underway ahead of the May 27 presidential polls. The outcome will have important implications for the precarious implementation of the 2016 FARC peace accord, which has yet to tackle key political and agrarian reforms, and the next president will also have to chart a way forward for the dialogues with the ELN as talks in Quito race against the clock to design a new indefinite bilateral ceasefire and cement the parameters for public participation in future negotiations.

Speakers: Alejandra Barrios Director, Electoral Observation Mission and former President of the Global Network of Domestic Electoral Monitors

Juanita Goebertus Colombian Congresswoman, Former Member of the Government Peace Delegation with the FARC

Mark Schneider Senior Advisor, Center for Strategic and International Studies

Jonas Claes Senior Program Officer, Preventing Election Violence, U.S. Institute of Peace

Steve Hege, Moderator Senior Program Officer, Security & Justice, U.S. Institute of Peace

Ending Civil Wars Apr 13, 2018

Show notes

As a part of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences’ ongoing project on Civil Wars, Violence and International Responses, the second volume of a special issue of the journal Dædalus was released in January 2018 to explore trends in civil wars and solutions moving forward. Join us as experts discuss their findings and recommendations on how the United States can better respond to intrastate conflict and promote both development and stability to create lasting peace.

Iraq and Syria Panel Three - Fraught Terrain: Stabilizing Iraq and Syria After ISIS Apr 03, 2018

Show notes

The role of the United States is seen as indispensable throughout the Middle East, and many are looking to understand new directions in U.S. policy in the region in the wake of the counter-ISIS military campaign. U.S. administration and military leaders will discuss the stakes, challenges and requirements of bringing stability to a region in which violence persists and gains against terrorists hang by a thread.

Panelists:

Stephen J. Hadley, Moderator Chair, Board of Directors, U.S. Institute of Peace

General Joseph L. Votel CENTCOM Commander

Ambassador Mark Green Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development

Brett McGurk Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, U.S. Department of State

Iraq and Syria Panel Two - Entering the Post-ISIS Era: Iraq and its Neighbors Apr 03, 2018

Show notes

Beyond Iraq’s domestic post-ISIS challenges, the region is faced with continued conflict and instability, particularly in Syria. This panel will explore developments among Iraq’s neighbors amid continuing tensions in the region. Regional experts will discuss developments in Syria, Turkey, the Arab Gulf states, Iran and Russia and their impact on the region’s post-ISIS landscape.

Panelists:

Kevin Baron, Moderator Founding Executive Editor, Defense One

Dr. Elie Abouaoun Director, Middle East and North Africa Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace

Dr. Mark N. Katz Professor of Government and Politics, George Mason University

Alireza Nader Senior International/Defense Researcher, RAND

Mona Yacoubian Senior Advisor for Syria, U.S. Institute of Peace

Iraq and Syria Panel One - A Pivotal Moment for Iraq Apr 03, 2018

Show notes

Following Iraq’s defeat of ISIS, the country must manage a web of internal challenges and conflicts, many deepened by the war. As the country prepares for a critical national election, its social fabric is torn by sectarian tensions, the ongoing displacement of over 2 million citizens, and the Kurdistan region’s 2017 independence referendum. The economy is stagnant; corruption is pervasive. Yet Iraqi pride in the military victory against the ISIS extremists has increased nationalist sentiments in many communities. Many hope the victory and the country’s energy shifting into politics would enable positive change. So what is the path ahead? Experts will discuss Iraq’s recovery from ISIS and the country’s future.

Panelists:

Ambassador Alberto Fernandez, Moderator President, Middle East Broadcasting Networks Ambassador Fareed Yasseen Ambassador to the United States, Republic of Iraq

Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman Kurdistan Regional Government Representative to the United States

Sarhang Hamasaeed Director, Middle East Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace

Securing Their Roles: Women in Constitution Making Mar 29, 2018

Show notes

Women’s participation in drafting constitutions leads to more equitable legal frameworks and socially inclusive reforms, laying the groundwork for sustainable peace. Yet new research from Inclusive Security reveals that while 75 conflict-affected countries oversaw significant reform processes between 1995-2015, only one in five constitutional drafters in these environments have been women. While there have been slow increases in the number of women involved in constitution-making processes since the end of the Cold War, women still must overcome discrimination and perceived illegitimacy once they have a seat at the negotiating table. Drawing on in-depth case studies, research, and personal experiences, panelists will offer insights on how early action and alliance building have proven useful strategies for overcoming such obstacles, and recommendations for supporting and empowering women in constitution building in the future.

Speakers: Rosarie Tucci Director of Inclusive Societies, U.S Institute of Peace

Palwasha Kakar Senior Program Officer, Religion and Inclusive Societies, U.S Institute of Peace

Marie O’Reilly Director of Research & Analysis, Inclusive Security

Amira Yahyaoui Founder, Al Bawsala

Jason Gluck Policy Specialist, Political Dialogues and Constitutional Processes, United Nations Development Program

Overcoming Violence - A Conversation with Women of Courage Mar 22, 2018

Show notes

Women are struggling every day for peace and security in their communities, whether as parliamentarians seeking to preserve the constitutional rights of marginalized groups or as filmmakers prompting change through challenging community discourse. To amplify these voices, the U.S. Institute of Peace, with the U.S. Department of State, will host an event featuring three of the 2018 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage awardees. Participants will hear firsthand the paths these women of courage have taken to lead for positive change.

This event will feature three women working across varied sectors – including politics, rule of law and the media – to advance social justice for all. In order to achieve positive, nonviolent change, entire communities must be engaged – and women and girls are critical to this process.

Participants: Kathleen Kuehnast, Moderator Director, Gender Policy and Strategy, USIP

Roya Sadat Founder, Roya Film House and Founder, Afghanistan International Women’s Film Festival Afghanistan

Sirikan Charoensiri Co-Founder, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Thailand

L’Malouma Said Deputy (Member of Parliament), Mauritanian National Assembly Mauritania

Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan Keynote Address Mar 22, 2018

Show notes

Deputy Secretary Sullivan will deliver a keynote address on U.S. Support for Humanitarian Assistance during an invite-only event at the U.S. Institute of Peace. John J. Sullivan was confirmed by the United States Senate and sworn in as the Deputy Secretary of State on May 24, 2017.

Human Rights: The Foundation for Peace Mar 20, 2018

Show notes

As Co-Chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) and Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA) play a leading role in advancing international human rights in Congress. The two Members of Congress will draw on their experiences promoting human rights in authoritarian and violent, conflict-affected countries at USIP’s Inaugural Bipartisan Congressional Dialogue.

Panelists: Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) 14th Congressional District of Illinois, U.S. House of Representatives

Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA) 2nd Congressional District of Massachusetts, U.S. House of Representatives

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

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