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51. Devolution of Power in Pakistan

Author:
Syed Mohammed Ali
Publication Date:
03-2018
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
United States Institute of Peace
Abstract:
Passage of the eighteenth amendment to Pakistan’s constitution in 2010 was rightly hailed as a major accomplishment. Not only did it devolve significant powers from the central government to the provinces, it also mandated the formation of local governments to bring government closer to the people. It took half a decade for the provinces to set up local governments—and real decision-making authority and financial resources have been even slower to arrive. In this Special Report, Syed Mohammad Ali takes stock of Pakistan’s devolution process and why its success is critical to the long-term prospects of democracy and the cultivation of new generations of democratic leaders.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

52. The Current Situation in Colombia

Author:
USIP
Publication Date:
02-2018
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
United States Institute of Peace
Abstract:
A historic peace accord ended the 50-year armed conflict between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2016. Following the terms of the agreement, in 2017, more than 10,000 FARC combatants surrendered over 8,000 weapons and consolidated into 26 encampments, transitioning to civilian life. Implementing the accord — which means cementing the agreement into national legislation and ensuring its provisions reach all corners of the country equitably — remains difficult.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

53. To Defeat Terrorism, Use 'People Power'

Author:
Maria J. Stephan and Leanne Erdberg
Publication Date:
02-2018
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
United States Institute of Peace
Abstract:
As governments and communities seek the right combination of methods to halt terrorism, one that we too often miss is nonviolent resistance. It’s not that we haven’t seen the power of protest movements that use mass marches, sit-ins, boycotts and other forceful but nonviolent tactics. To the contrary, people worldwide have been moved by watching such movements sweep aside the walls of apartheid, the tanks of dictators or the impunity of kleptocracies. But governments and civil society alike have failed to connect the dots—to promote nonviolent action that can help communities address grievances while absorbing the youth alienation upon which terrorist movements feed.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

54. Making Peace Among Afghans: Kabul's View

Author:
USIP
Publication Date:
02-2018
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
United States Institute of Peace
Abstract:
Afghanistan’s government is focused on building consensus—both domestically and among states in the region—to support a peace process with the Taliban insurgency, according to the Afghan national security advisor, Hanif Atmar. The main challenges, he said, include continued support from Pakistan for the Taliban and an incremental recent Russian move toward immediate cooperation with the Taliban even without a peace process. Also, Atmar said, a web of disparate extremist groups is deploying increasing numbers of foreign fighters in his country.
Topic:
International Development
Political Geography:
Global Focus

55. Deputy Secretary of State Sullivan: U.S. to Lead on Humanitarian Issues

Author:
USIP
Publication Date:
03-2018
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United States Institute of Peace
Abstract:
The United States remains committed to its role as a global leader on humanitarian issues and will continue seeking to avert crises that spawn the need for humanitarian aid, Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan said.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

56. Congress Can Be Bipartisan: The Case of Human Rights

Author:
USIP
Publication Date:
03-2018
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
United States Institute of Peace
Abstract:
In an American political culture coarsened by belligerence, dozens within Congress still are shaping bipartisan foreign policies to maintain a strong U.S. defense of human rights worldwide. The ability of Congress to sustain bipartisanship on human rights issues is vital to long-term international stability and U.S. national security, according to the Republican and Democratic co-chairs of Congress’ prominent human rights group—the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.
Topic:
Human Rights
Political Geography:
America

57. Mainstreaming Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas

Author:
Imtiaz Ali
Publication Date:
02-2018
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
United States Institute of Peace
Abstract:
Pakistan’s government has recently approved mainstreaming of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in an effort to bring the FATA region within the legal and governance structures of the rest of Pakistan and place it on a footing of parity. The mainstreaming should aid the FATA people economically and reduce militancy in the region, which would contribute greatly to Pakistan’s peace and security. Despite government approval and repeated assurances by the country’s top leadership that changes in the FATA governance system is a must and the status quo must end, the process has been stalled, as there are differences in opinion on the future status of FATA. Still, many tribesmen are hopeful the government will go ahead with the approved plan of mainstreaming FATA and their agony will end.
Topic:
International Cooperation
Political Geography:
Global Focus

58. How the United Nations Can Harness 'People Power'

Author:
Maria J. Stephan
Publication Date:
03-2018
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
United States Institute of Peace
Abstract:
The United Nations has declared a priority this year to unify and strengthen its work in building peace—and U.N. bodies will meet in the next two months to advance that change. U.N. leaders have acknowledged that a vital element in peacebuilding is nonviolent, grassroots movements that can prevent violent conflict by providing ways for people to constructively address grievances, seek rights and advance justice. But as the United Nations aims to more efficiently promote peace, how prepared is it to actually work with the nonviolent grassroots movements that have proven to be peacebuilding’s most effective tool? The answer to that is unclear, but the U.N. system could take a few steps during and after its high-level meetings this spring to strengthen this neglected part of its peacebuilding strategy.
Topic:
United Nations
Political Geography:
Global Focus

59. U.S. Leverage in South Asia: Enough to Meet Policy Goals?

Author:
Fred Strasser
Publication Date:
02-2018
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
United States Institute of Peace
Abstract:
As the U.S. seeks to advance its interests in South Asia 17 years into the Afghanistan war, a basic policy question unavoidably presents itself: How much leverage does America really have in the region?
Topic:
International Relations
Political Geography:
America and South Asia

60. USIP’s Work on Violent Extremism

Author:
USIP
Publication Date:
02-2018
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
United States Institute of Peace
Abstract:
Over the past decade, transnational and deadly violent extremist movements—such as ISIS, Boko Haram, the Taliban, and al-Shabab—have risen out of instability and conflicts and repeatedly inflamed and perpetuated hostilities. These movements recruit followers and destabilize regions by harnessing agendas and exploiting grievances such as social marginalization, political exclusion, state repression, and lack of access to justice and resources.
Topic:
International Relations and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus