Events at USIP

Russia’s concerted disinformation campaign against the West is sowing confusion and distrust and undermining democratic institutions from Ukraine to the United States. Anne Applebaum—a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, thought leader and commentator on politics and foreign policy—and U.S. Institute of Peace Executive Vice President William Taylor will discuss the challenges to the West from Russian aggression and the weapons of disinformation and disruption, and what the United States and its allies need to do to respond. Speakers:Anne ApplebaumWashington Post columnist, Pulitzer-Prize winning author and Professor of Practice at the London School of Economics William Taylor, ModeratorExecutive Vice President, U.S. Institute of Peace  

The Western Balkans—Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania, and Serbia—are re-emerging as a region of stagnation and instability due to poor governance, the influence of outside forces and tense relations between ethnic groups and neighboring states. A forthcoming report by the National Committee on American Foreign Policy and the EastWest Institute highlights the need for immediate, decisive action by the U.S. and the European Union to head off instability and possible violent strife.  Join the U.S. Institute of Peace to hear from the authors of the report—all veterans of U.S. diplomacy in the Balkans and Europe—as they present a strategy for the United States and Europe, working in a revitalized partnership, to forestall a downward spiral in the Western Balkans, which could potentially lead to fractured states and widespread instability on Europe’s borders. Speakers:Amb. Sarah Mendelson, Moderator Distinguished Service Professor of Public Policy and Head of Heinz College in Washington, D.C., Carnegie Mellon University, and former U.S. Representative to the Economic and Social Council at the United Nations Amb. Frank G. Wisner International Affairs Advisor, Squire Patton Boggs and former U.S. ambassador to Zambia, Egypt, the Philippines and India Jonathan Levitsky Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton, and former Counselor to Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations Amb. Cameron MunterCEO and President, The EastWest Institute and former U.S. Ambassador to Serbia and Pakistan Tom Graham Senior Fellow and Managing Director, Kissinger Associates, Inc.

The search for peace has become a central focus of Afghanistan policy in Washington and for Kabul. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani offered the Taliban constitutional reform and status as a legitimate political party in late February on the condition that the group makes peace. In recent months, the Taliban have also publicly offered talks with the United States and prominent Afghan powerbrokers, and high-profile peace demonstrations in conflict-torn Helmand province have spread across much of the country. Speakers:Ambassador Timothy Carney Former U.S. Ambassador to Sudan and Haiti John Wood Associate Professor, National Defense University and former U.S. National Security Council Senior Director for Afghanistan Johnny Walsh Senior Expert, Afghanistan, U.S. Institute of Peace and former U.S. Department of State lead for Afghan reconciliation Courtney CooperInternational Affairs Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations and former U.S. National Security Council Director for Afghanistan Ahmad MohibiFounder and President, Rise to Peace Michael Sherwin, Moderator Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice and former U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer  

Since 2001, the United States and international donors have supported Afghanistan in its attempt to build a thriving private-sector economy. Despite 17 years of effort, progress has been mixed and much remains to be done. Please join USIP and the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) for a presentation and panel discussion on how the United States can improve its private-sector development and economic growth efforts in Afghanistan and in other states emerging from conflict. At this report launch event, SIGAR will release its latest lessons learned report, Private Sector Development and Economic Growth: Lessons from the U.S. Experience in Afghanistan. This report examines how the U.S. government supported private sector development in Afghanistan since 2001 through efforts led by USAID, with additional significant roles played by the Departments of State, Defense, Commerce, and Treasury. It discusses the myriad challenges of supporting economic development in Afghanistan and offers key findings, lessons, and recommendations to improve private sector development efforts. Participants:John F. Sopko, Keynote AddressSpecial Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction Scott Worden, ModeratorDirector, Afghanistan and Central Asia Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace William ByrdSenior Expert, Afghanistan, U.S. Institute of Peace Paul FishsteinLead Research Analyst, Lessons Learned Program, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction Mary Louise Vitelli, Esq.President, Vitelli & Associates, and former advisor to Afghan Ministry of Mines and Petroleum

This panel will discuss the contours of a potential conflict on the Korean Peninsula, to include U.S. operations, how China may respond, and opportunities for cooperation. Participants will also examine Beijing’s role in shaping the post-war situation on the peninsula. Panelists: Jennifer Staats, ModeratorDirector, East and Southeast Asia Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace Abraham Denmark Director, Asia Program, Woodrow Wilson International Center for ScholarsLieutenant General Jan-Marc JouasUSAF (Ret.) Former Deputy Commander, US Forces Korea and United Nations Command Korea Oriana Skylar MastroAssistant Professor of Security Studies, Georgetown University Jeanne Kirkpatrick Scholar, American Enterprise Institute

With international attention focused on a potential U.S.-North Korea summit meeting in May, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a surprise trip to Beijing in late March to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The North Korean leader’s visit to Beijing, his first foreign visit since assuming power in late 2011, came amid strained bilateral relations in recent years. Kim and Xi appear to have reinvigorated the historical bonds between the two countries and reaffirmed China’s crucial role in the future of the Korean Peninsula. Ambassador Mark Lippert will offer a keynote address that will explore the dynamics and tensions of the historical relationship between China and North Korea, the potential impact of Korean reunification on China, and China’s role in a limited military conflict and its aftermath. Speakers: Ambassador Mark Lippert, Keynote SpeakerCurrent member of the Board of Trustees at the Asia Foundation and former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea.Oriana Skylar Mastro, ModeratorAssistant Professor of Security Studies, Georgetown UniversityJeanne Kirkpatrick Scholar, American Enterprise Institute

This panel will assess China’s position on the ideal end state for the Korean Peninsula and whether a reunified peninsula under South Korean leadership would be beneficial or detrimental to Chinese economic, political, and security interests given South Korean, Japanese and U.S. likely responses. Panelists: Frank Aum, ModeratorSenior Expert on North Korea, U.S. Institute of PeaceYun Sun Co-Director, East Asia Program; Director, China Program, Stimson Center Heung-Kyu Kim Director and Professor of Political Science, China Policy Institute, Ajou University, South Korea Michael GreenChair in Modern and Contemporary Japanese Politics and Foreign Policy and Director of Asian Studies, Georgetown UniversitySenior Vice President for Asia and Japan Chair, Center for Strategic and International Studies

This panel will examine the historical China-North Korea relationship, changes in political and security relations, and role of past and present economic ties on the future of the bilateral relationship. Panelists: Dennis Wilder, ModeratorManaging Director, Initiative for US-China Dialogue on Global Issues; Assistant Professor of Practice, Asian Studies Program, Georgetown UniversityStella XuAssociate Professor of History, Roanoke College Yafeng XiaProfessor of History, Long Island University Brooklyn Junsheng WangVisiting Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Atlantic CouncilDirector and Associate Professor, Department of China’s Regional Strategy, National Institute of International Strategy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China

Criminal and terrorist networks are exploiting today’s innovative technologies for their own gain, posing a direct threat to U.S. security and global stability. Illicit terrorist financing, including through bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, are now being used to fund terrorist groups and circumvent U.S. sanctions. ISIS and rogue nation-states like North Korea, and regional powers like Iran and Russia, sanctioned for their role in conflicts, may also look to illicit financing in order to exploit the international financial system. The National Security Strategy for 2018 says the United States will “use sophisticated investigative tools to disrupt the ability of criminals to use online marketplaces, cryptocurrencies, and other tools for illicit activities.” On April 17, Representative Steve Pearce (R-NM) and Representative Jim Himes (D-CT) will discuss the growing threat of illicit exploitation of online terrorist financial networks and steps the U.S. should take to improve security and reduce global conflict. Both members serve on the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance, where Rep. Pearce serves as chairman. Speakers: Nancy Lindborg, moderator President, U.S. Institute of Peace Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM) 2nd Congressional District of New Mexico, U.S. House of Representatives Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) 4th Congressional District of Connecticut, U.S. House of Representatives

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 remarksPresident, U.S. Institute of Peace, Mona Yacoubian, moderatorSenior Advisor, Syria, the Middle East and North Africa, USIP Catherine Bou-MarounForeign Affairs Officer, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, U.S. Department of State Dr. Mohamed Khaled HamzaMental Health Committee, Chair; & Foundation Board Member, Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), Professor of Clinical Mental Health, Lamar University-Texas State System Amy RichmondDirector, Child Protection in Emergencies, Save the Children

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 GoebertusColombian Congresswoman, Former Member of the Government Peace Delegation with the FARC Mark SchneiderSenior 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

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.

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, ModeratorChair, Board of Directors, U.S. Institute of Peace General Joseph L. VotelCENTCOM Commander Ambassador Mark GreenAdministrator, U.S. Agency for International Development Brett McGurkSpecial Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, U.S. Department of State

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 AbouaounDirector, Middle East and North Africa Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace Dr. Mark N. KatzProfessor of Government and Politics, George Mason University Alireza NaderSenior International/Defense Researcher, RAND Mona YacoubianSenior Advisor for Syria, U.S. Institute of Peace

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, ModeratorPresident, Middle East Broadcasting NetworksAmbassador Fareed YasseenAmbassador to the United States, Republic of Iraq Bayan Sami Abdul RahmanKurdistan Regional Government Representative to the United States Sarhang HamasaeedDirector, Middle East Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace