Conflict in northern Nigeria is once again on the rise. On September 9, USIP and Mercy Corps held a discussion about new research and evidence that examine the complex linkages between the political, economic and identity-based conflicts that are driving broader conflict in northern Nigeria — as well as the implications for policy and programmatic interventions. The conversation covered the multiple overlapping cleavages related to identity (including ethnicity and religion) and livelihood activities (such as farming and pastoralism) that continue to animate violence in the region.

Oge Onubogu, moderator

Kaltumi Abdulazeez  

Emmanuel Ogbudu 

Ryan Sheely 

Mukhtari Shitu

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/religion-identity-and-conflict-northern-nigeria

With escalating violence in Afghanistan, intensifying competition between the United States and China, limited hopes for rapprochement with India, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Pakistan’s neighborhood is evolving — and Pakistan’s national security approach will have to evolve with it. On August 5, USIP hosted a conversation with Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf. The discussion looked at what these developments mean for Pakistan’s national security outlook towards its neighbors and its relationship with the United States, as well as how the pandemic impacts Pakistan’s security and economic policy.

Lise Grande, opening remarks

Dr. Moeed Yusuf

Ambassador Richard Olson, moderator 

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/pakistans-national-security-outlook

North Korea’s unwillingness or hesitation to meet with the United States raises questions about North Korea’s motivations, fears and calculus — as well as whether Washington and Seoul’s best course of action is greater outreach, pressure or patience. On August 4, USIP and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea co-hosted a discussion on the current state of diplomacy with North Korea.

Ki-jung Kim

Joseph Yun

Gee Dong Lee

Moon-soo Yang

Hee-Seung Na

Kathleen Stephens

Markus Garlauskas

Frank Aum, moderator

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/whose-court-ball-making-progress-peace-and-denuclearization-north-korea

The U.S. government will soon launch a Vietnamese Wartime Accounting Initiative following decades of Vietnamese cooperation to conduct the fullest possible accounting of missing U.S. personnel. To support this and other bilateral initiatives, USIP has established a new project that will promote greater dialogue both in and between the United States and Vietnam on war legacy issues and reconciliation. On August 3, USIP hosted a discussion with U.S. and Vietnamese officials on the Vietnamese Wartime Accounting Initiative and how it fits into broader efforts to overcome legacies of war.

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien

Ha Kim Ngoc

Christopher Klein

Colonel Thomas Stevenson

Ann Marie Yastishock

Lise Grande, welcoming remarks

Ambassador George Moose, moderator

Brian Harding, moderator

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/addressing-legacies-vietnam-war-next-step-forward

The Congressional Nuclear Security Working Group, co-chaired by Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL), is a bipartisan caucus dedicated to facilitating awareness and engagement on the urgent threats posed by the prospect of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism. The caucus goals include strengthening nuclear safeguards, securing fissile material and preventing the misuse and spread of sensitive nuclear materials and technologies. On July 28, USIP hosted a conversation with Reps. Fortenberry and Foster to explore some of the key issues facing policymakers when it comes to nuclear nonproliferation, maintenance and modernization, and diplomacy in this era of strategic competition.

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE)

Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL)

Lise Grande, moderator

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/nuclear-security-policy-era-strategic-competition

Driven by violent conflict and insecurity, the world is facing a new displacement crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated displacement trends, pushing healthcare infrastructure to the brink and creating dire economic conditions as countries struggle to contain the virus. Meanwhile, climate change uprooted more than 30 million people—the highest figure in a decade. On July 28, USIP hosted U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield to reflect on the 70th anniversary of the Refugee Convention and its critical importance in the current global context. The discussion took stock of the global community’s efforts to protect the rights of refugees and asylum seekers under international refugee and humanitarian law and considered how the United States and its network of allies and partners can better protect those rights in a moment of profound global crisis and uncertainty.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield

Lise Grande

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/convention-refugees-70-conversation-ambassador-linda-thomas-greenfield

China-Venezuela relations were strong at the outset of the 21st Century, but there are indications that China may be growing dissatisfied with the status quo. These include failed infrastructure projects, labor disputes, the challenges of navigating oil embargos and, most importantly, Venezuela’s inability to repay billions of dollars in loans from China. These economic interests will most likely be an important consideration as Beijing navigates its possible involvement in resolving the crisis. On July 22, USIP hosted a discussion on the nature of the China-Venezuela relationship, the role China could realistically play in support of a negotiated political settlement and how Washington and Beijing may be able to find common ground on key issues.

Keith Mines, opening remarks

Adriana Erthal Abdenur,

Marialbert Barrios

Matthew Ferchen 

Yuan Mengqi 

Joseph Tucker

Amb. Thomas A. Shannon Jr., closing remarks

Henry Tugendhat, moderator

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/chinas-potential-role-venezuelas-political-and-humanitarian-crisis

After being selected as the chair of the African Union this year, President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo set an ambitious agenda for 2021 — ranging from the promotion of African culture to peacebuilding to COVID-19 vaccine distribution. On July 20, USIP hosted a discussion with President Tshisekedi and Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights, that focused on a range of important issues confronting Africa, including strengthening democracy, human rights, economic growth, COVID vaccine availability and responding to peace and security challenges.

Félix Antoine Tshilombo Tshisekedi 

Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA)

Dr. Joseph Sany

Lise Grande, opening remarks

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/africa-crossroads-conversation-drc-president-and-au-chair-felix-tshisekedi-and-rep-karen

The Peace Teachers Program is rooted in the conviction that educators can be pivotal in bringing issues of international conflict and practical peacebuilding skills into their classrooms, schools and communities. Each school year, USIP selects a cohort of outstanding American middle and high school teachers from different U.S. states to receive education, resources and support to strengthen their teaching of international conflict and peace. On July 8, USIP hosted the 2019-2021 Peace Teachers as they shared their experiences, insights and strategies for engaging new generations in peacebuilding based on their time in the program — including how their own approaches to teaching conflict and peace evolved during this tumultuous period.

Lise Grande, welcoming remarks

Jill Armstrong

Sarah Campbell

Katrina Gotschall

Emily Philpott

Megan Chabalowski

Joanne Leedom-Ackerman, moderator

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/pandemic-year-life-peace-teacher

On July 7, USIP hosted Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, to discuss Pakistan’s responses to recent developments in Afghanistan, the future of U.S.-Pakistan relations and emerging regional security challenges in South Asia.

Lise Grande, welcoming remarks

H.E. Dr. Asad Majeed Khan

Ambassador Richard Olson, moderator

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/next-chapter-us-pakistan-relations