Peace picks May 5 – 9

1. Russia in East Asia: History, Migration, and Contemporary Policy Monday, May 5 | 9 – 11am 5th Floor, Woodrow Wilson Center; 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW REGISTER TO ATTEND This talk explores Russia’s ties with East Asia through the lens of migration and policy. Russia spans the Eurasian continent, yet its historic and present connections with East Asia are often forgotten. At the turn of the 20th century, thousands of Asian migrants arrived in the Russian Far East, spurring fears of a “yellow peril.” A century later, the recent influx of new Asian migrants to Russia has generated similar sentiments. The talk discusses Asian migration in the context of cross-regional attempts to strengthen trade ties and diplomatic relations in the 21st century. SPEAKERS Matthew Ouimet, Public Policy Scholar Senior Analyst, Office of Analysis for Russia and Eurasia, U.S. Department of State. Alyssa Park, Kennan Institute Title VIII Supported Research Scholar Assistant Professor of Modern Korean History, University of Iowa   2. The Democratic Transition in Tunisia: Moving Forward Monday, May 5 | 10 – 11:30am Kenney Auditorium, The Nitze Building, Johns Hopkins University; 1740 Massachusetts Ave NW REGISTER TO ATTEND Mustapha Ben Jaafar, president of the National Constituent Assembly of Tunisia, will discuss this topic. Sasha Toperich, senior fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at SAIS, will moderate the event.   3. Meeting Humanitarian Need in the Central African Republic Monday, May 5 | 10 – 11:30am Room C-114, CSIS; 1616 Rhode Island Ave NW More than a year of internal conflict has displaced nearly one million Central Africans. In the capital, Bangui, tens of thousands of people are living in makeshift camps that are prone to flooding. In rural areas, people are returning home to find their livelihoods destroyed. C.A.R.’s minority Muslim communities are under siege and many have fled the country. The international community was unable to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in C.A.R. Join us for a discussion of what donor governments and the United Nations can do to assist the needy and stop the crisis from getting worse. And hear what longer-term steps must be undertaken to lay the foundations for a peaceful outcome. SPEAKERS Mark Yarnell Senior Advocate, Refugees International Sarah Holewinski Executive Director, Center for Civilians in Conflict David Brown Senior Advisor for C.A.R., U.S. Department of State (invited) Moderated by Richard Downie Deputy Director and Fellow, Africa Program, CSIS 4. Advancing Accountability for Sexual Violence in Conflict and Displacement Situations Monday, May 5 | 10:30am – 12pm Saul/Zilkha Rooms, Brookings Institution; 1775 Massachusetts Avenue NW REGISTER TO ATTEND Every day in conflict situations around the world, women and men, boys and girls are subjected to rape, sexual exploitation and other forms of sexual violence. Too often, sexual violence is used as a weapon of war to destroy communities and drive people from their homes. It is a crime that has for too long, and in too many countries, gone unpunished. Advancing accountability for sexual and gender-based violence in conflict and displacement situations requires strengthened efforts to combat impunity, building on important legal developments banning systematic sexual violence as war crimes and crimes against humanity. Yet it also requires concrete, community-level action, including more comprehensive, gender-sensitive humanitarian assistance and development programs that reduce vulnerability to these crimes in the first place. On May 5, the Brookings-LSE Project on Internal Displacement and the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. will host a discussion on efforts to advance accountability for sexual violence in conflict and displacement situations, exploring the legal, political and humanitarian dimensions of this challenge. SPEAKERS Peggy Kuo Former Prosecutor, International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia Sir Peter Westmacott British Ambassador to the United States Ambassador Melanne Verveer Executive Director Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security Moderated by Megan Bradley Fellow, Foreign Policy, Brookings-LSE Project on Internal Displacement   5. Libya’s Post-Qaddafi Fissures Monday, May 5 | 12pm 12th floor, The Atlantic Council; 1030 15th Street NW Some may absolve Libya’s current authorities for most of the blame for the current state of affairs, pointing instead to the Qaddafi-era legacy and the state’s subsequent lack of institutional capacity. In a new Atlantic Council report, “Libya’s Faustian Bargains: Breaking the Appeasement Cycle,” co-authors Jason Pack, Karim Mezran, and Mohamed Eljarh argue that, as the Morning Glory tanker incident has shown, it is the Libyan authorities’ policy of appeasing opponents that constitutes the main cause for Libya’s current struggles. The international community’s commitment to supporting Libyan institutions will not be enough to help the country overcome its problems unless the question of appeasement is addressed head-on and decision-making takes a new direction. Please join the Atlantic Council for a discussion about the Libyan landscape and how challenging the policy of appeasement could be a viable path forward for the country. A presentation by Jason Pack Researcher, Cambridge University President, Libya-Analysis.com Commentary from I. William Zartman Professor Emeritus, School of Advanced International Studies Johns Hopkins University Moderated by Karim Mezran Senior Fellow, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East Atlantic Council 6. The Ukraine Crisis and U.S. Security Strategy Monday, May 5 | 1:30 – 3pm 2nd Floor Conference Center, CSIS; 1616 Rhode Island Ave NW REGISTER TO ATTEND Please join us for a panel discussion on the implications of U.S. policy regarding Ukraine and Russia for U.S. strategy, credibility, and deterrence. Was President Obama right to take the use of military force off the table? Is an aggressive Russia sufficiently accounted for in current strategy and defense posture? Has the United States done too much or too little to reassure NATO and other allies and partners, including in the Asia-Pacific region? SPEAKERS Andrew C. Kuchins Director and Senior Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Program, CSIS Clark A. Murdock Director and Senior Adviser, Defense and National Security Group, CSIS Vikram J. Singh Vice President, National Security and International Policy, Center for American Progress Moderated by Samuel J. Brannen Senior Fellow, International Security Program, CSIS 7. Strategic Reassurance and Resolve: U.S.-China Relations in the Twenty-First Century Monday, May 5 | 2 – 3:30pm Falk Auditorium, Brookings Institute; 1775 Massachusetts Ave NW REGISTER TO ATTEND On May 5, the Brookings Institution will host Jim Steinberg and Michael O’Hanlon as they discuss their new book, Strategic Reassurance and Resolve: U.S.-China Relations in the Twenty-First Century (Princeton University Press). In the words of George Bush’s former national security advisor, Stephen Hadley, the book is “A highly informed and realistic analysis of U.S.-China relations that avoids premature fatalism and Pollyannish optimism. It offers a bold strategy based on developing a common framework of cooperation benefiting both countries while still standing up for American interests and allies. The authors further undertake the hard work of offering concrete examples of where such cooperative opportunities might be found.”   8. NATO and the Ukraine Crisis Thursday, May 6 | 9am Loews Madison Hotel, Montpelier Room; 1177 15th St NW REGISTER TO ATTEND As the crisis in eastern Ukraine continues to unfold, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is taking steps to reassure allies and enhance its posture in Europe. For the past few weeks, NATO leaders have been reviewing proposals from NATO Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Philip Breedlove to respond to the crisis. On April 15, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the Alliance will re-examine defense planning and hold multinational exercises, as well as carry out “appropriate deployments” of Allied air, land, and naval forces. Lt. Gen. Mark O. Schissler will discuss NATO’s military response to the Ukraine crisis as well as other key issues, and will then sit down with Atlantic Council Vice President and Scowcroft Center Director Barry Pavel for a moderated discussion.   9. Innovation in Urban Infrastructure Financing in Latin America Tuesday, May 6 | 12am – 12:30pm 5th Floor, Woodrow Wilson Center; 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW REGISTER TO ATTEND Together with the USAID Alumni Association (UAA) and the International Housing Coalition (IHC), the Urban Sustainability Laboratory, the Latin American Program and the Mexico Institute of the Wilson Center are pleased to invite you to a seminar on recent approaches to stimulating urban infrastructure financing in Latin America. The seminar will focus on the most urbanized region of the developing world: Latin America. Panelists will explore recent Latin American innovations in urban infrastructure financing, and efforts toward making Latin American cities more creditworthy. SPEAKERS Blair A. Ruble Vice President for Programs; Director, Urban Sustainability Laboratory; and Senior Advisor, Kennan Institute Lisa DaSilva Principal Investment Officer – Latin America, International Finance Corporation Fernando Gama Senior Vice President, Evensen Dodge International, Inc. David Grossman Director of International Programs, International City/County Management Association David C Jones Former World Bank Financial Advisor for public utilities, water supply and urban development Axel Radics Fiscal and Municipal Development Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank David Painter Former Director of Housing and Urban Programs, USAID   10. Policy Priorities for India’s New Government Tuesday, May 6 | 2pm 12th floor, The Atlantic Council; 1030 15th Street NW REGISTER TO ATTEND India is in the process of electing a new government. With recent elections in neighboring countries and coalition forces set to leave Afghanistan within the year, India’s new government will take power in an evolving South Asia region. A struggling economy may also present fresh domestic challenges for the new leadership, regardless of who wins the elections when results are announced on May 16. What will be the policy priorities for India’s incoming government? The speakers will discuss various internal and external factors that will influence the new government, and offer recommendations for both short- and long-term actions to fulfill its mandate at home and build relationships abroad. SPEAKERS Sunjoy Joshi Director, Observer Research Foundation C Raja Mohan Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation Samir Saran Vice President, Observer Research Foundation Moderated by Bharath Gopalaswamy Deputy Director, South Asia Center Atlantic Council   11. Women in Conflict Resolution: Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Approaches Tuesday, May 6 | 3 – 4:30pm 6th Floor, Woodrow Wilson Center; 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW REGISTER TO ATTEND The inclusion of women in foreign policy-making and implementation in peace-building and post-conflict transformation is known to result in better policies for all. Yet, women remain under-represented in the field. Attempts to involve women have largely focused on top-down approaches. However, bottom-up approaches demonstrate a lot of potential, as shown by the involvement of women in Turkish-Greek and Turkish-Armenian conflict resolution processes. In which way are bottom-up approaches effective? What can we learn from previous efforts? Which lessons are applicable internationally? SPEAKER Zeynep Alemdar Professor, Okan University in Istanbul; Head, European Union Research Center   12. Author Series: Daniel Serwer Tuesday, May 6 | 6:30 – 8pm UCDC Auditorium, 1608 Rhode Island Avenue NW REGISTER TO ATTEND The foreign policy of peace and conflict resolution is traditionally perceived to be in the control of high-level state officials, reinforced with military action abroad. Yet can these means respond to 21st century foreign policy challenges, where states are no longer the primary actors in conflict? Is there space, or even the necessity, for civilian involvement in the process to pursue peace? How should American foreign policy move forward in a way that effectively balances the interests and security of the US and of other nations around the world? Daniel Serwer, author of “Righting the Balance: How You Can Help Protect America,” proposes in-depth changes to government organization that would improve United States foreign policy to better confront the 21st century conflict and challenges. He emphasizes the importance of civilian involvement in peace efforts and argues for the necessity of finding alternatives to an exclusive reliance on military action. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. 13. North Korea Human Rights after the UN Report – What Next? Wednesday, May 7 | 10 – 11am Lehrman Auditorium, Heritage Foundation; 214 Massachusetts Ave NE REGISTER TO ATTEND The UN Commission of Inquiry issued a damning condemnation of the North Korea government for “systemic, widespread, and gross violations of human rights” of such a monumental scale as to constitute crimes against humanity. The panel recommended follow-on actions for those responsible, including North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to be held accountable. UN Commission Chairman Michael Kirby implored, “Now is a time for action. We can’t say we didn’t know. The suffering and tears of the people of North Korea demand action.” With China characteristically blocking UN action, what can be done to address human rights violations and improve conditions for the North Korean people? Join us as distinguished panel of human rights experts discuss potential follow-on actions. What can the United States government do to overcome the UN stalemate as well as outside the UN Security Council? What can businesses and non-government organizations do on their own to influence North Korean human rights? SPEAKERS Jared Genser Managing Director of Perseus Strategies, Founder of Freedom Now Greg Scarlatoiu Executive Director, Committee for Human Rights in North Korea  John Sifton Asia Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch Moderated by Bruce Klingner Senior Northeast Asia Research Fellow, The Heritage Foundation   14. The Future of the Syrian Revolution: President Ahmad Jarba’s First Washington Address Wednesday, May 7 | 11am – 12:15pm US Institute of Peace; 2301 Constitution Ave NW REGISTER TO ATTEND The collapse of the Geneva talks in January has stalled efforts to negotiate a peaceful solution to the conflict. The future of the revolution itself appears increasingly cloudy as the situation on the ground grows more chaotic. The Syrian government’s announcement that it will hold presidential elections in June – elections that President Bashar Assad is widely expected to win – limits chances for a political resolution to the crisis. Many, including the Syrian opposition, have called the elections a democratic charade. Syrian Opposition Coalition leader Jarba will discuss these dynamics and the role the international community might play, and assess the delivery of humanitarian assistance as outlined by UN Security Council Resolution 2139 SPEAKERS President Ahmad Jarba, Keynote National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces Ambassador William B. Taylor, Moderator Vice President for Middle East and Africa, U.S. Institute of Peace   15. Fanning the Flames or Fueling the Peace? The Role of Media in Conflict in the Middle East and North Africa Thursday, May 8 | 11:30am – 1pm US Institute of Peace, 2301 Constitution Ave NW REGISTER TO ATTEND While it is generally accepted that there is a strong correlation between a free press and democracy, there is less known about the role that media — particularly independent media — plays in countries in the midst of war or just emerging from conflict. What can be learned from the experiences of Iraq and Afghanistan, where the U.S. and other donors have invested significant infusions of aid in building independent media sectors? Or from the more recent transitions of Libya, Egypt and Tunisia, among others? How are the numerous small but tenacious outlets in Syria, many run by untrained citizen journalists, affecting the war? Join us for a discussion on how media shapes conflict and post-conflict societies in the Middle East and North Africa. SPEAKERS Ammar al-Shahbander Chief of Mission, Iraq, Institute for War & Peace Reporting Susanne Fischer Regional Programme Manager, Middle East, Institute for War & Peace Reporting Anand Varghese Program Officer, PeaceTech Initiative, U.S. Institute of Peace Moderated by Manal Omar Vice President of the Middle East and Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace   16. Citizen Strangers: Minority Rights in the State of Israel Thursday, May 8 | 12:15 – 1:45pm New America Foundation, 1899 L Street NW Suite 400 REGISTER TO ATTEND In her new book, Citizen Strangers: Palestinians and the Birth of Israel’s Liberal State, Shira Robinson traces how the leaders of the nascent state struggled with the contradiction between advancing the project of building a state for the Jews, while finding a way to ostensibly share political power with its Palestinian citizens, even as the government expropriated Palestinian lands and limited their participation in Jewish society. SPEAKERS Dr. Shira Robinson Author, Citizen Strangers: Palestinians and the Birth of Israel’s Liberal State Associate Professor of History and International Affairs, the Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University Yousef Munayyer Executive Director, Jerusalem Fund and the Palestine Center Moderated by Lisa Goldman Director, Israel-Palestine Initiative, International Security Program, New America Foundation   17. China’s Oil Future: Balancing Economic, Geopolitical, and Environmental Concerns Thursday, May 8 | 1 – 2:30pm Carnegie Endowment, 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW REGISTER TO ATTEND China’s energy future will be shaped by its major oil ambitions, including the opportunity to exploit newly accessible domestic resources. As the second-largest consumer of oil and—by the end of 2014— the world’s largest net oil importer, China’s growing demand comes at a time when the petroleum industry is experiencing the most significant paradigm shift since the oil crisis of 1973. High crude prices combined with technological advances are unlocking a new class of previously unattainable oils in North America, China, and around the globe. With Beijing’s new leadership seeking to ensure China’s economic growth charts a more sustainable path, Mikkal Herberg, Wang Tao, and Anthony Yuen will address the nation’s future oil opportunities and challenges. Carnegie’s Deborah Gordon will moderate.   18. Iraq’s Post-Election Environment: A Preliminary Assessment Thursday, May 8 | 2pm 12th floor, The Atlantic Council; 1030 15th Street NW REGISTER TO ATTEND April 30 will mark Iraq’s first parliamentary elections since the US withdrawal in 2011. With Iraq’s highly sectarian environment and spiraling violence, the election outcome could either lead the nation toward greater divisiveness or pave the way to address deepening polarization. Election results are expected to prompt a flurry of bargaining to form the next government that could take months to finalize. During this period, Iraqis will grapple with how to address the serious challenges that threaten peace and stability, including longstanding sectarian, ethnic, and tribal grievances. Please join us for a discussion analyzing the initial results, possible coalitions, and how the post-election environment will impact the internal political and security prospects for Iraq as well as its neighbors. SPEAKERS Amb. Feisal Istrabadi Director, Center for Middle East Studies at Indiana University Former Iraqi Ambassador to the United Nations Amb. James F. Jeffrey Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy Former US Ambassador to Iraq Moderated by Damon Wilson Executive Vice President, Atlantic Council