This report, sponsored by the Center for Gender and Peacebuilding at the U.S. Institute of Peace, is based on data culled from the 2010 parliamentary elections in Afghanistan. Using these numbers, the authors assess how female candidates and voters fared… Read more
This brief examines changes in the Pakistani political landscape in advance of the country’s election, expected in early-2013.SummaryAs the Pakistani electoral cycle gears up for an election, the country's traditional political stakeholders face a change… Read more
This report reflects the authors' research interests and several publications on security sector reform from a financial and development perspective. It is intended to lay out key issues and trade-offs in this area, and brings in concepts and tools of… Read more
The authors have worked for many years in the Kabul office of the United States Institute of Peace in Afghanistan on local governance and rule of law projects. Shahmahmood Miakhel is USIP's Country Director in Afghanistan. From 2003-2005 he was deputy… Read more
The long-term success of Tunisia’s new democracy hinges on efforts to reform its security sector. Most in need of reform are the police, gendarme, and interior ministry. Summary In the year since its revolution, Tunisia has achieved what no other Arab… Read more
This brief is based on recent discussions USIP held in Kabul on traditional dispute resolution (TDR) and women’s rights. Based on these discussions and USIP’s research, it outlines recommendations on how to increase access to justice for women. Sylvana Q… Read more
United in revolution, Libya’s various rebel groups have high expectations of a new government but are divided on many fronts. Understanding who these factions are and the tensions among them is key to finding common ground on how to rebuild Libya’s… Read more
The creation of a new state gives the women of South Sudan a rare chance to enhance their security, economic empowerment, and participation in governance. Summary South Sudan’s independence ends decades of conflict as well as socioeconomic and political… Read more
The brief examines the interests, connections and dimensions of Syria's popular uprising in the Arab Gulf states. Emile Hokayem is the Senior Fellow for Regional Security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies-Middle East based out of… Read more
Dowry inflation in South Sudan has stimulated insecurity and crime while intensifying threats against and control over female youth. Summary Most South Sudanese youth are undereducated and underemployed, and their priorities and perspectives are largely… Read more
International efforts to help Arab transition countries with security reform must be driven by country requests, involve many partners, and be tied to broader aims for justice, stability, and economic development. Summary The events of the Arab Spring… Read more
This Peace Brief reports on controversies surrounding interpretation of the 2004 Afghanistan Constitution, which have created a crisis of confidence in the rule of law that the authors argue must be resolved for national reconciliation to occur… Read more