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34192. Filling the Vacuum: Prerequisites to Security in Afghanistan
- Publication Date:
- 03-2002
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Academy of Political Science
- Abstract:
- As a result of 23 years of war and civil conflict, and despite the recent removal of the Taliban and establishment of an Interim Authority, Afghanistan remains a country in chaos. Unless and until Afghanistan is at least modestly stable and secure, it will continue to represent a risk to the region and the world. The global order is still grappling with the question of failed states, but one lesson is certain: when governments fail, warlords, drug barons, or terrorists fill the vacuum. The only sure way to eliminate terrorism and extremism in Afghanistan is to support its leaders and people in their quest for internal stability and security, according to their own rich traditions and history.
- Topic:
- Democratization, Government, and International Cooperation
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan, Middle East, and Taliban
34193. Electoral Conflict and Violence: A Strategy for Study and Prevention
- Author:
- Jeff Fischer
- Publication Date:
- 02-2002
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Academy of Political Science
- Abstract:
- An electoral process is an alternative to violence as it is a means of achieving governance. It is when an electoral process is perceived as unfair, unresponsive, or corrupt, that its political legitimacy is compromised and stakeholders are motivated to go outside the established norms to achieve their objectives. Electoral conflict and violence become tactics in political competition.
- Topic:
- Conflict Resolution, Conflict Prevention, Development, and Government
34194. Trans-Atlantic Relations: Challenges and Opportunities
- Author:
- Wolfgang Ischinger
- Publication Date:
- 10-2002
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- International Institute at University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Abstract:
- I would like to share some observations about German-American relations, about Afghanistan, about Iraq and the war on terrorism, and about power and the global system. Where does Germany stand today? The recent elections in Germany have brought about a number of significant developments.
- Topic:
- International Relations and Security
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan, United States, America, Europe, and Germany
34195. Trans-Atlantic Relations: A Norwegian Perspective
- Author:
- Knut Vollebaek
- Publication Date:
- 04-2002
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- International Institute at University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Abstract:
- Gilles Bousquet, Dean of International Studies and Director of the International Institute, welcomed guests to the event. Ambassador Vollebæk was introduced by Alfred Defago, former Swiss ambassador to the United States and currently International Institute Visiting Professor. Professor Defago, who invited Ambassador Vollebæk to the UW–Madison campus in conjunction with his International Studies seminar on “Evolving European Perspectives on American Politics and Society,” described Ambassador Vollebæk as one of Europe's top diplomats and as one of the most influential and intellectually brilliant leaders of the diplomatic community in Washington, D.C. Ambassador Vollebæk, a career diplomat, served as Foreign Minister of Norway from 1997–2000 and in that capacity was chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. A tireless advocate for international human rights, he was a leader in efforts to stop the atrocities in Kosovo and played key roles in monitoring conflicts and brokering negotiations in Chechnya, Sri Lanka and the Middle East.
- Topic:
- International Relations and Terrorism
- Political Geography:
- United States, America, Europe, Washington, Middle East, Norway, Chechnya, Sri Lanka, and Kosovo
34196. The Infrastructure of Peace in Africa: Assessing the Peacebuilding Capacity of African Institutions
- Author:
- Monica Juma and Aida Mengistu
- Publication Date:
- 09-2002
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- International Peace Institute
- Abstract:
- In October 2000, the Ford Foundation requested the International Peace Academy's (IPA) Africa Program to generate a database of institutions managing conflicts and crises in Africa. After consultations, the scope of this project was expanded to comprise an assessment of capacity, and determination of the potential of institutions to respond to crises and conflicts in Africa. This report is the outcome of that exercise and hopes to guide and facilitate the design of the Ford Foundation's funding strategy for peacebuilding in sub-Saharan Africa. However, it is hoped that this report will also serve to stimulate further discussion by the Ford Foundation and IPA staff, with the involvement of other relevant donors, about the challenges and opportunities for supporting peace and development in Africa. To that end, this report landscapes the condition of capacity in Africa, provides a diagnostic overview of institutional layout at the regional, national and local levels and proposes areas of intervention that can bolster and improve performance. It must be noted from the start that this report claims to be neither exhaustive nor comprehensive. Many important organizations engaged in useful peacebuilding work in Africa have not been included in this report due to logistical and time constraints. The organizations included in the report are merely illustrative of some of the peacebuilding work being conducted in Africa, and are mainly concentrated in conflict areas.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Development, and Peace Studies
- Political Geography:
- Africa
34197. A Framework for Lasting Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration of Former Combatants in Crisis Situations
- Author:
- Lotta Hagman and Zoe Nielsen
- Publication Date:
- 12-2002
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- International Peace Institute
- Abstract:
- The successful disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants are crucial to achieving a lasting peace. While there has been a good deal of international focus of disarmament and demobilization, more analysis and resources are needed in reintegration. DDR programs should be part of an overall integrated recovery strategy that encompasses economic development, security sector reform, the integration of refugees and internally displaced persons, and justice and reconciliation. An effective strategy must take the regional dimensions of the conflict into consideration. Political will and national buy-in are essential to the success of DDR programs. Ex-combatants must be ready to disarm and return to civilian life and the government and communities must be prepared to accept them. The role of the international community can only be to facilitate this process, for example by encouraging the inclusion of DDR programs in peace agreements, and providing money and support for planning, national awareness raising campaigns, and reinsertion packages for ex-combatants. International actors can also monitor programs to ensure that all ex-combatants are treated equally regardless of former affiliations. Strategic planning for DDR can and should start prior to the actual peace agreement in order to establish a division of labor, develop networks and expertise, as well as build confidence and ensure local ownership. A broad-based national commission that ensures the equal treatment of all groups is likely to be the optimal mechanism for planning and implementation. For successful implementation of DDR programs, it is crucial to seek a balance between managing the often very high expectations of ex-combatants and addressing resentment of “favoritism” among the rest of the population. Flexible programming and an effective public information campaign are key in achieving this goal. Issues that require additional consideration include the ambiguous status of female ex-combatants who have not necessarily carried weapons, the role of dependents, health issues such as the spread of HIV/AIDS, funding processes, and coordination priorities.
- Topic:
- Security, Arms Control and Proliferation, and Peace Studies
34198. Economic Priorities for Peace Implementation
- Author:
- Susan L. Woodward
- Publication Date:
- 10-2002
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- International Peace Institute
- Abstract:
- There has been surprisingly little systematic analysis of how economic factors contribute to the success or failure of peace agreements. What is clear however, is that economic factors play a more significant role in the failure of peace agreements than they do in the success of such initiatives; Peace agreements are often very weak on economic aspects. This is problematic because the success of the first phase of peace implementation is largely dependent on three economic factors: sufficiently rapid economic revival to generate confidence in the peace process; adequate funding to implement key aspects of the peace agreement; and, for a sustainable peace, there must be sufficient funding to enable the establishment of government institutions and the transition to a peace-time economy; Five important lessons have emerged from experience in the area of peace implementation over the last decade: The need for broad-based impact assessments At present, assessments tend to measure whether an aid project was implemented as planned, not whether it contributed to a sustainable peace. As a consequence, important opportunities to make informed mid-course adjustments in long-term programs and to develop more effective programs are lost; An early emphasis on employment is critical Active employment is critical to redirecting behavior and encouraging support for the peace process. The success of crucial programs such as those for the demobilization and reintegration of former combatants and the return of refugees and internally displaced persons are also linked to the availability of employment; Invest in Building Institutional and Social Capital Conventional approaches to post-conflict economic recovery tend to emphasize macroeconomic stability at the expense of economic infrastructure. However, in post-conflict settings, the financial and legal institutions so necessary to implement economic policy and ensure good governance are either weak or nonexistent. More attention must be paid to financing the development of basic public sector capacities and social capital. Donor decisions about whom to assist and what to fund have lasting political impacts Donor monies influence government policy, whether directly through the imposition of explicit conditions or in more indirect ways. Lending decisions also influence the political landscape within the recipient county and the behavior of third-party implementers; An international presence introduces economic distortions It is seldom acknowledged that the economic impact of international peace missions runs contrary to the aims of self-government and economic and political sustainability. As a consequence, decisions about implementation and exit are extremely important; There is an urgent need for a new economic strategy that addresses the challenges of post-civil war environments.
- Topic:
- Conflict Resolution, Economics, Peace Studies, and Treaties and Agreements
34199. Challenges in Peacekeeping: Past, Present and Future
- Publication Date:
- 10-2002
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- International Peace Institute
- Abstract:
- The International Peace Academy (IPA) and the Best Practices Unit of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UNDPKO) organized a half-day seminar on October 29, 2002, with the generous support of the Government of Norway, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of UNDPKO. Entitled “Past, Present and Future Challenges in Peacekeeping,” the seminar reunited current and previous Under-Secretaries-General and several highly reputed Special Representatives of the Secretary-General (SRSGs) in a review of the last ten years in UN peacekeeping history.
- Topic:
- Security, International Cooperation, Non-Governmental Organization, Peace Studies, and United Nations
- Political Geography:
- Norway
34200. Responding to Terrorism: What Role for the United Nations?
- Author:
- William G. O'Neill
- Publication Date:
- 10-2002
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- International Peace Institute
- Abstract:
- The International Peace Academy held a conference on “Responding to Terrorism: What Role for the United Nations?” on Oct. 25-26, 2002 in New York. In addition to the focus on possible UN initiatives, the conference specifically sought the insights and recommendations of experts from Latin America, Africa and Asia, parts of the world that have suffered greatly from terrorism but whose views and prescriptions are often overlooked or omitted from the debate.
- Topic:
- Terrorism and United Nations
- Political Geography:
- Africa, New York, Asia, and Latin America