Events at USIP

In 2016, the U.N. General Assembly established the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria (IIIM), after vetoes in the U.N. Security Council prevented referral of the Syrian situation to the International Criminal Court. IIIM Head Catherine Marchi-Uhel discusses the obstacles to this work, the progress made to date and what lessons it can provide for delivering accountability...

On November 16, USIP hosted a conversation with U.N. Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Alice Wairimu Nderitu on the efforts her office has taken to prevent atrocity crimes and to improve the U.N.’s ability to protect vulnerable civilian populations. Speakers Philippe Leroux-Martin ,  welcoming remarks Director, Governance, Justice and Security, United States Institute of Peace  Alice W...

Since 2015, Russia’s military intervention in Syria has helped Bashar al-Assad remain in power. But as Russia suffers ongoing battlefield defeats and setbacks in Ukraine, the Kremlin has redirected its focus and resources there. On November 8, USIP hosted a  Twitter Space conversation  on the short- and long-term implications of Russia’s shifting role in the Syrian conflict, as well as what the ge...

On November 4, USIP hosted a conversation with five of the essayists on the sources of tension in the Japan-South Korea relationship and the creative ways in which policymakers, practitioners, and experts can address topics such as forced labor, collective wartime memories, the legacy of “comfort women,” the U.S.-South Korea-Japan trilateral alliance, and regional stability. Speakers Alexis Dudden...

Kenya is currently one of three African states with a non-permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council. On November 4 at USIP, Kenya's Ambassador to the U.N. Martin Kimani discussed ways to advance the goals of the 2022 U.S.-Africa Strategy, the U.N. Security Council’s responses to threats to peace and security in Africa and globally, and Africa’s role in advancing peace and development through eff...

On November 3, USIP hosted a conversation on the invasion of Ukraine's latest developments, Russia's strategic thinking, and the implications for Ukraine, Russia and Europe. Speakers Mark Galeotti Principal Director, Mayak Intelligence; Senior Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute Donald Jensen ,  moderator Director, Russia and Europe Center, U.S. Institute of Peace   For more informat...

On November 2, USIP hosted a conversation on the role of women in creating an inclusive and equitable path forward for the peacebuilding field. Speakers Joseph Sany ,  welcoming remarks Vice President, Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace @Josephsany1 Liz Hume ,  keynote remarks   Executive Director, Alliance for Peacebuilding @lizhume4peace Dorothy Nyambi  Chief Executive Officer and President,...

On October 27, International Religious Freedom Day, USIP hosted a conversation with Rashad Hussain, the U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom, on why promoting freedom of religion and belief around the world is central to advancing U.S. national security — as well as how the United States can provide global leadership around this vital agenda. Speakers Lise Grande ,  welcomi...

On October 26, USIP, the RESOLVE Network and the Mershon Center for International Security Studies hosted a conversation on the role of rituals, traditions, and transformational processes in the wake of violence and their ability to transform societal relationships in significant ways. Speakers Chris Bosley ,  welcoming remarks Interim Director, Program on Violent Extremism, U.S. Institute of Peac...

Despite trillions of dollars invested in the Afghanistan war and reconstruction effort, the U.S. government failed to achieve an inclusive and durable political settlement to the conflict. On October 25, USIP hosted a conference that brought together former senior officials and top experts to explore the questions and identify lessons to inform U.S. policy in the future. Speakers Learning from Mis...

Three decades on from the Oslo Accords, water remains a driver of conflict and competition in the Israeli-Palestinian diplomatic arena. However, advances in technology — combined with new regional alignments — hold the potential for water to provide win-win opportunities for both societies while building trust and momentum toward broader diplomatic progress in the region. On October 18, USIP hoste...

Since the U.N. General Assembly established the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) in 2016, this first-of-its-kind investigative body has played a critical role in collecting and analyzing evidence of crimes in Syria. On October 17, USIP hosted a discussion of the IIIM’s progress in collecting, consolidating, preserving and analyzing evidence of international humanitarian la...

Renowned Colombian photographer Jesús “Chucho” Abad Colorado has spent the last 30 years documenting the atrocities of his country’s armed conflict, the faces of its victims and the related damage to its diverse and rich ecosystems. On October 13, USIP, the Washington Office on Latin America, Colombia’s National University and the Atlantic Council hosted the launch of “The Witness,” about the huma...

The consequences of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine continue to reverberate throughout Europe, challenging the rules-based international order for maintaining peace and security. On October 4, USIP held a Twitter Space conversation with Angela Stent, one of America’s foremost experts on Russia and Europe, regarding Putin's evolving goals in Ukraine and the prospects for peac...

The process of postwar reconciliation between the United States, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia is one of the most remarkable stories of the 21st century. On October 11 and 12, USIP hosted a two-part event bringing together diplomats, advocates and authors to draw lessons from U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia that could apply to conflicts elsewhere in the world. Panelists October 12: The Future of U....

The process of postwar reconciliation between the United States, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia is one of the most remarkable stories of the 21st century. On October 11 and 12, USIP hosted a two-part event bringing together diplomats, advocates and authors to draw lessons from U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia that could apply to conflicts elsewhere in the world. Panelists October 11: Healing the Woun...

Pakistan’s unprecedented flood disaster is a wake-up call for governments and international institutions on the need to build a worldwide response to the disproportionate burden of climate change on nations of the Global South — a challenge that Pakistan’s foreign minister underscored to U.S. officials and foreign policy analysts at a September 28 USIP luncheon. Speakers Lise Grande President and...

A recent USIP  Special Report  surveys the contemporary dynamics, drivers and manifestations of Islamist extremism in Bangladesh. on September 29, USIP hosted an event with the report's authors to discuss its recommendations and implications. Speakers Geoffrey Macdonald Senior Advisor for Asia and Bangladesh, International Republican Institute Mubashar Hasan Adjunct Fellow, University of Western S...

On September 28, USIP and the RESOLVE Network hosted a virtual conversation examining the complex interactions between armed groups, civilians, state actors and international security — as well as how members disengage from community-based armed groups and reconcile with their local communities. Speakers Alastair Reed ,  opening remarks  Executive Director, RESOLVE Network Kamina Diallo Gender Mai...

The Freely Associated States (FAS) — comprised of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau — have exceptionally close relationships with the United States under the Compacts of Free Association. However, in the last decade, and especially the last five years, strategic competition between China and the United States has increased, and Beijing’s increasing engagement with...

More than seven months into Russia’s second invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces have established a clear pattern of targeting civilians and civilian spaces. On September 20, USIP hosted a discussion of Russia’s crimes in Ukraine and whether they amount to genocide. Speakers Lise Grande ,  opening remarks President and CEO, United States Institute of Peace  Azeem Ibrahim Director of Special Initiat...

The Western Hemisphere faces mounting challenges as it confronts persistently high levels of poverty, rising violence, massive flows of migrants, and some of the worst COVID aftermaths in the world. On September 19, USIP hosted an in-person discussion of U.S. policy in the hemisphere with National Security Council Senior Director Juan Gonzalez. Speakers Juan Gonzalez Senior Director for the Wester...

Amid a series of global shocks and overlapping crises — from climate change and COVID-19 to rising inflation and crippling debt — fragile and conflict-affected states are under unprecedented strain. On September 27, USIP hosted a conversation with U.N. Development Programme Administrator Achim Steiner on how countries affected by conflict have been impacted by recent global shocks — as well as how...

Long considered vulnerable to climate change, Pakistan is in the middle of a severe climate-induced disaster. Horrific flooding has left one-third of the country underwater, killing more than 1,200 people and impacting 33 million more. On Sept. 8, USIP hosted a Twitter Space discussion on the causes and impact of these catastrophic floods on Pakistan’s already fragile political and economic situat...

On Aug. 31, the U.S. Institute of Peace hosted a Twitter Space discussion with USIP experts on how Afghanistan has changed over the past year, what it means for the country going forward, and ways U.S. and international policy can continue to support efforts for an inclusive and stable Afghanistan that recognizes the rights of all its citizens. Speakers Scott Worden Director, Afghanistan and Centr...