On April 30, USIP hosted a conversation with Pankaj Saran, India’s former deputy national security advisor and former ambassador to Russia, that examined the strengths and challenges of the India-Russia relationship two years into Russia’s war in Ukraine and the implications for the trajectory of U.S.-India relations. Speakers Ambassador William B. Taylor, welcome remarksVice President, Russia and Europe, U.S. Institute of Peace Ambassador Pankaj SaranFormer Indian Deputy National Security...

On April 25, USIP held a conversation with Sigrid Kaag, the U.N. senior humanitarian coordinator for Gaza. The discussion explored the imperatives and challenges of delivering critical humanitarian aid to the region, highlighting the need to streamline and expand aid delivery, as well as the critical role of the United Nations in coordinating with global partners to find avenues for safe and sustainable aid delivery to the most vulnerable in Gaza.  Speakers Sigrid KaagU.N. Senior...

On April 23, USIP hosted a critical and timely discussion with ten northern Nigerian governors on the frontlines of the country's most pressing challenges. Speakers Ambassador Johnnie Carson, moderatorSenior Advisor, Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace The Honorable Dikko Umar RaddaGovernor of Katsina State The Honorable Dauda LawalGovernor of Zamfara State The Honorable Uba SaniGovernor of Kaduna State The Honorable Mohammed Umar BagoGovernor of Niger State The Honorable Nasir...

On April 22, USIP hosted a discussion on NATO’s relations with its Indo-Pacific partners ahead of the July 2024 summit and the benefits and interests that have led the United States to support the development of these partnerships over time. Confirmed Participants Lise Grande, opening remarks President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace Kurt M. Campbell, keynote remarksDeputy Secretary, U.S. Department of State Stephen J. Hadley, moderatorFormer Chair, Board of Directors, U.S. Institute of...

On April 16, USIP hosted the Africa Futures Summit to examine approaches to catalyze Africa’s potential to benefit and shape the global system. Discussions drew on the African Futures research, forecasting and policy analysis led by the Institute for Security Studies, along with perspectives from Africa, the African Diaspora and American experts. Panel Discussion Jason Braganza Executive Director, Afrodad Chenai MukumbaExecutive Director, Tax Justice Network Africa Dr. Kouassi YebouaSenior...

On April 16, USIP hosted the Africa Futures Summit to examine approaches to catalyze Africa’s potential to benefit and shape the global system. Discussions drew on the African Futures research, forecasting and policy analysis led by the Institute for Security Studies, along with perspectives from Africa, the African Diaspora and American experts. Opening Remarks Dr. Joseph SanyVice President, Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace Dr. Fonteh AkumExecutive Director, Institute for Security...

On April 16, USIP hosted the Africa Futures Summit to examine approaches to catalyze Africa’s potential to benefit and shape the global system. Discussions drew on the African Futures research, forecasting and policy analysis led by the Institute for Security Studies, along with perspectives from Africa, the African Diaspora and American experts. Panel Discussion Maria KisumbiDirector, Policy and Government Relations, Humanity United  Joshua MeserveySenior Fellow, Hudson Institute Désiré...

In his new book, “American Diplomacy Toward Lebanon: Lessons in Foreign Policy and the Middle East,” former U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale explores the legacy of U.S.-Lebanon relations. On April 2, USIP hosted a discussion with Hale on his new book and how past U.S. diplomatic engagement with Lebanon can offer valuable lessons for American diplomatic tradecraft in the Middle East and beyond. Speakers Lise Grande, opening remarks President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace Ambassador...

Since the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the question of whether to use seized Russian assets — worth approximately $300 billion — to pay for the eventual reconstruction of war-torn Ukraine has been the subject of extended debate within the global community. On March 13, USIP and Ukrainian Minister of Justice Denys Leontiyovych Maliuska hosted a discussion on the potential utilization of confiscated Russian assets to finance Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction...

On February 24, 2021, India and Pakistan announced a renewal of the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. On March 8, USIP hosted a conversation on the LoC ceasefire that explored findings from a new USIP report, “The 2021 India-Pakistan Ceasefire: Origins, Prospects, and Lessons Learned,” the factors that have helped keep the ceasefire in place, and what new regional dynamics could mean for its sustainability in the future. Speakers Christopher Clary Associate Professor of...

On March 1 -- ahead of International Women’s Day and on the first day of Women’s History Month -- USIP recognized and celebrated the awardee and finalists for USIP's 2023 Women Building Peace Award. The conversation explored how these four fearless women from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Kenya and Syria are making history while working for a peaceful future. Speakers Marcia Myers Carlucci, welcoming remarksCo-Chair, USIP's Women Building Peace Council Megan...

On February 27, USIP and the Atlantic Council hosted a discussion with former U.S. ambassadors to Ukraine and Russia analyzing the current battlefield situation, the importance of Western aid and the disastrous consequences that would result without it, and what can be done to secure Ukraine and its democracy long term. Speakers Lise Grande, opening remarks President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace Denys Sienik, opening remarksDeputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Ukraine Ambassador...

On February 22, USIP hosted a conversation on what’s changed in the month since riots engulfed Papua New Guinea, the Pacific Islands' largest and most populous nation, as well as how U.S. and international policymakers can respond to the causes that are driving instability there.  Speakers Brian Harding, moderatorSenior Expert, Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands, U.S. Institute of Peace Gordon Peake Senior Advisor, Pacific Islands, U.S. Institute of Peace Ruth Kissam Senior Advisor, Papua...

On February 21, USIP hosted a discussion featuring perspectives from regional experts and former government officials on practical options to respond to a rapidly shifting political landscape in the western Sahel. The conversation followed the publication of the final report of the USIP Bipartisan Sahel Senior Study Group and explored opportunities for mitigating conflict and advancing durable peace in the region. Speakers  Joseph Sany, welcoming remarksVice President, Africa Center, U.S....

On February 16, USIP, the Institute of Current World Affairs and American Purpose hosted the final event in a series featuring prominent figures in Russia’s exile community. This conversation examined plausible scenarios for a post-authoritarian Russia, including questions on decolonialization, collective understanding of history and Russian identity, the interests of minority regions, and the possible role of the United States and other Western countries based on lessons learned from the...

On February 15, USIP, in collaboration with the U.S. State Department, hosted a conversation on the economic components of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, the strategic alliances formed under this framework, and the milestones achieved since its inaugural date. Speakers Lise Grande President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace Dr. Mira Rapp-HooperSpecial Assistant to the President and Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania, U.S. National Security Council Assistant Secretary Donald Lu Assistant...

On February 13, USIP hosted a discussion with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Jessica Lewis on the future of security sector governance and how the United States works to improve partner transparency, accountability and oversight in its security sector assistance. Speakers Jessica LewisAssistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State Lise Grande, moderator President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace   For more information about this event, please...

On February 6, 2023, a series of devastating earthquakes rattled Syria and Turkey, necessitating a robust international response in an already challenging environment amid ongoing conflict and displacement. A year later, USIP hosted a conversation with individuals who experienced the disaster firsthand and were involved in the relief effort. Speakers Bachir TajaldinCountry Director, Syria and Turkey, Syrian American Medical Society Mufaddal HamadehPresident, Syrian American Medical...

More than 7 million Sudanese civilians have been displaced and millions more are facing limited access to basic services — including food, water and medical supplies — since the war between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces broke out in April 2023. On January 31, USIP hosted remarks from USAID Administrator Samantha Power and a conversation with frontline Sudanese responders and analysts. Speakers Lise Grande, opening remarks President and CEO, U.S. Institute of...

Almost a decade following the ISIS-perpetrated genocide against them, the Yazidi community faces considerable challenges in seeking justice. On January 29, USIP and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide hosted a discussion on the current challenges facing the Yazidi community and possible ways to strengthen their ability to recover from genocide. Speakers Lise Grande, welcoming remarksPresident and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace Victoria...

On January 24, USIP and El Faro English held a conversation on the marginalization and displacement of the Garifuna population in Honduras. The discussion examined how discrimination, climate change, and conflicts over land rights help drive migration to the United States and explored policy options that can help protect human rights and curb migration. Speakers Mary Speck, introductory remarksSenior Advisor, Latin America, U.S. Institute of Peace  José Luis Sanz, moderatorCorrespondent, El...

USIP’s new report, “Mapping the Religious Landscape of Ukraine,” analyzes the nuanced connections between religion and Ukrainian society. On January 18, USIP held a conversation with the report’s authors and other experts on religion in Ukraine to discuss religion, politics and security in Ukraine today. Speakers Peter Mandaville, moderator Senior Advisor, Religion and Inclusive Societies, U.S. Institute of Peace  Denys BrylovCo-Founder and Director, European Center for Strategic Analytics...

On January 13, Taiwanese voters selected a new president and legislature. On January 17, USIP held a conversation on the significance of the election results and the implications for peace and security in the Taiwan Strait. Speakers Evan Medeiros Senior Advisor, U.S. Institute of Peace Vincent Chao Spokesperson for William Lai and Head of International Affairs, Democratic Progressive Party (Taiwan)Chen-Dong TsoProfessor, National Taiwan University (Taiwan)   For more information about this...

On December 14, USIP — in partnership with the missions of Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States of America to the Organization of American States (OAS)— hosted a discussion with former U.N. special representatives that explored the challenges facing these renewed efforts to stabilize Haiti’s security and political environments. Speakers Keith Mines, opening remarksVice President, Latin America ProgramH.E. Enrique ter HorstFormer U.N. Special Representative for Haiti...