Events at USIP U.S. Institute of Peace

In a joyful folk style, Prahlad Singh Tipanya and group sing the devotional poetry of Kabir and related mystic poets of Northern India and Pakistan. On May 15, USIP, in coordination with the Reed Society for the Sacred Arts, hosted an in-person performance of Kabir poetry from Prahlad Singh Tipanya and his ensemble.

Speakers and Performers
Tamanna Salikuddin, moderatorDirector of South Asia Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace
Linda Hess, translatorEmerita Professor, Stanford University
Prahlad Singh TipanyaVocals and Tambura
Devnarayan SaroliyaVocals and Violin
Ajay Tipaniya Vocals and Dholak
Dharmendra TipaniyaVocals and Harmonium
Priyal MaheshwariVocals And Manjira
Vivek ViraniVocals, Flute, and Translation
 
For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/south-asian-traditions-peace-and-inclusion-poetry-and-songs-kabir
 

USIP convened a senior study group to evaluate U.S. counterterrorism policy options following withdrawal from Afghanistan. The group’s final report released May 14 highlights how a terrorist incident in or emanating from Afghanistan or Pakistan could trigger a regional or international crisis, undermine U.S. alliances, and derail attention from strategic competition.
Speakers
Asfandyar Mir Senior Expert, South Asia, USIP
Laurel Miller President and Chief Executive Officer, The Asia Foundation
Lt. Gen. Michael Nagata (ret.) Strategic Advisor and Senior Vice President, CACI International Inc.
Tamanna Salikuddin, moderatorDirector, South Asia Programs, USIP 
For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/counterterrorism-afghanistan-and-pakistan
 

On May 13, USIP hosted a conversation on rapidly spreading, industrial-scale scam compounds in Southeast Asia. Drawing from USIP’s recent senior study group report on the topic, the discussion illuminated how far-reaching criminal networks have been able to adapt to regional conditions and escape the constraints of law enforcement — as well as how policymakers can counter their malign effects.


Speakers
Andrew Wilder, welcoming remarksVice President, Asia Center, U.S. Institute of Peace
Brandon Yoder, keynote remarksDeputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Intl. Narcotics & Law Enforcement
Erin WestDeputy District Attorney, REACT Task Force, Office of the District Attorney, Santa Clara County
Jacob SimsVisiting Expert, United States Institute of Peace
Jason TowerCountry Director, Burma, United States Institute of Peace
Nicole Cochran, moderator Program Officer, Burma, United States Institute of Peace
 
For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/transnational-organized-crime-southeast-asia
 

On May 10, USIP hosted the final session of the third annual African Diplomats Seminar. In this closing session, senior U.S. government representatives and diplomats discussed how U.S. policy relates to and supports the U.S. approach to Africa in 2024.


Speakers
Ambassador Johnnie Carson, moderator Senior Advisor, U.S. Institute of Peace Ambassador Molly PheeAssistant Secretary of State, Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State 
Ambassador Hilda Suka-MafudzeAfrican Union Ambassador to the United States 
Maureen FarrellDeputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense 
Arun VenkataramanAssistant Secretary for Global Markets and the U.S. and Foreign Trade Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce 
Rear Admiral Erin OsborneDeputy Director for Africa and the Middle East, Joint Staff J5, U.S. Department of Defense
Joseph Sany, Ph.D.Vice President, Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace 
 
For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/african-diplomats-seminar-senior-leaders-panel
 

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 Advisor
Wess MitchellSenior Advisor, Russia and Europe, U.S. Institute of Peace
 
For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/trajectory-india-russia-ties-amid-war-ukraine
 

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 Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza
Mona Yacoubian, moderatorVice President, Middle East North Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace
 
For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/navigating-humanitarian-assistance-gaza