Events at USIP

The Department of State recently commissioned renowned photojournalist Robert Nickelsberg for a photobook entitled, Afghanistan’s Heritage, Restoring Spirit and Stone, comprising photographs of heritage sites in Kabul, Herat, and Balkh as well as artifacts in the National Museum collections that received U.S. support. At this event, panelists examined how this often challenging and painstaking work serves to strengthen national identity, bolster community cohesion, promote economic prosperity, and counter violent extremism.   Remarks:Ambassador William Taylor, introductory remarksVice President, U.S. Institute of Peace Ambassador Alice Wells, opening remarksPrincipal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State   Panelists:Ambassador Richard OlsonFormer Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Robert NickelsbergPhotojournalist Barmak PazhwakSenior Program Officer, U.S Institute of Peace Majeedullah QararCultural Attaché, Embassy of Afghanistan Emilia Puma Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State Laura Tedesco, moderatorCultural Heritage Program Manager, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State

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 QureshiFederal Minister for Foreign AffairsIslamic Republic of Pakistan

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. 

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 OliveActing Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for Latin America, USAID, Opening Remarks Lisa HaugaardExecutive Director, Latin America Working Group Steve HegeSenior Expert, Colombia, U.S. Institute of Peace Adam IsacsonDirector for Defense Oversight, WOLA Enrique RoigDirector, Citizen Security Practice Area Creative Associates International

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 remarksPresident, U.S. Institute of Peace Ambassador Derek MitchellPresident, National Democratic InstituteCo-chair, USIP China-Myanmar Senior Study Group Daniel TwiningPresident, International Republican InstituteCo-chair, USIP China-Myanmar Senior Study Group David SteinbergDistinguished Professor of Asian Studies Emeritus, Georgetown UniversityMember, USIP China-Myanmar Senior Study Group Jennifer Staats, moderatorDirector, East and Southeast Asia Programs, U.S. Institute of PeaceExecutive Director, USIP China Senior Study Groups Series

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

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'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 MarkeySenior Research Professor, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University Naveed QamarFormer Minister for Defense Jumaina SiddiquiSenior Program Officer, U.S. Institute of Peace Asad UmarCentral Senior Vice President, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Moeed Yusuf, moderatorAssociate Vice President, Asia Center, U.S. Institute of Peace

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

On Thursday, July 26, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) joined the U.S. Institute of Peace to give remarks on U.S. policy options in Iraq in the post-ISIS era. She discussed the protection of religious minority groups and offered her perspective on Iranian influence in the country and region. Senator Ernst is the first female combat veteran to serve in the U.S. Senate, having retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard. She serves as the Chairwoman of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee. Speakers:Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA)U.S. Senator from Iowa Nancy Lindborg, moderatorPresident, U.S. Institute of Peace

South Sudan’s civil war is one of the most brutal and destructive conflicts of the 21st century. Could the war have been prevented? Could some of the atrocities and misery caused by the war have been avoided?  On July 19 the U.S. Institute of Peace and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum's Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide hosted a discussion on what lessons should be learned from U.S. policy toward South Sudan in the years leading up to and during the civil war. Speakers:Ambassador Donald BoothFormer U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Kate Almquist Knopf Director, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University Joshua Meservey Senior Policy Analyst, Africa and the Middle East, The Heritage Foundation Jon TeminVisiting Fellow, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum's Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide and Africa Director, Freedom House Mike Yaffe, welcoming remarksVice President, Middle East and Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace Aly Verjee, moderatorVisiting Expert, United States Institute of Peace

With over 44 percent of new voters between the ages of 18 and 35, Pakistan’s youth will play an important role in the upcoming elections and influence the future of the country’s democracy. To harness the power of Pakistan’s youth, a recent UNDP Human Development Report argues for a national focus on youth empowerment through education, employment, and meaningful engagement. According to the report, youth will prove to be a dividend or a serious challenge to the country, depending on how Pakistan invests in their development. To positively impact that policy, youth must be empowered and engaged. Speakers:Sahar Khan Visiting Research Fellow, CATO Institute Dr. Adil Najam Dean, Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston University Pir Zubair ShahFreelance Journalist Jumaina Siddiqui, ModeratorSenior Program Officer, Asia Center, U.S. Institute of Peace

Illegal wildlife poaching and trafficking has destabilized local communities and devastated elephant, rhino, and endangered species populations across Africa. High demand for wildlife products in Asia has driven this surge in poaching and trafficking, threatening the future of these species. Illegal trade in protected wildlife is worth an estimated $7 to $10 billion.  This figure places wildlife trafficking among the most lucrative criminal activities worldwide, rivaling the illegal trade in drugs and arms in size and scope. The United States, with support from Congress, has been at the forefront of this push, through legislation like the Congo Basin Forest Partnership Act of 2004 and the END Wildlife Trafficking Act of 2016. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will discuss key successes, challenges, and next steps for U.S. policymakers. Speakers:Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) U.S. Representative from California Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) U.S. Senator from Delaware Nancy LindborgPresident, U.S. Institute of Peace

Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) recently returned from a five-country visit to Somalia, South Sudan, Djibouti, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to assess the region’s humanitarian crises while seeking to better understand their root causes. He held over 35 meetings with civil society, refugees living in camps, aid workers, government officials, and U.N. peacekeepers. During his visit, it became clear to Senator Merkley that U.S. diplomatic leadership, development aid, and humanitarian response are critical to addressing the root causes of conflict, climate change and corruption. Speakers:Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR)U.S. Senator from Oregon Nancy Lindborg, ModeratorPresident, U.S. Institute of Peace

At a time when violent international conflict and the threat of extremism loom large, four high school teachers in Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, and Florida have spent the last year taking part in a U.S. Institute of Peace program to help their students gain the knowledge, skills and perspectives they need to work toward a more peaceful world. Three of USIP’s 2017 Peace Teachers will share how they advanced their students’ understanding of conflict and the possibilities of peace in ways that aligned with their existing curriculum. Their stories will reveal how students from very different communities across the U.S. make sense of the world and what they were inspired to do over the past year as part of this USIP program. Participants:Nancy Lindborg, Welcoming RemarksPresident, U.S. Institute of Peace Megan Chabalowski, IntroductionsProgram Officer, Public Education, U.S. Institute of Peace Joanne Leedom-Ackerman, ModeratorAmerican novelist, short story writer and journalist, and Member, International Advisory Council, U.S. Institute of Peace Amy CameronGrandview High School, Grandview, MO Ezra ShearerSentinel High School, Missoula, MT Maria ZelayaEastside High School, Gainesville, FL