With more than 100 active conflicts around the world, international peacekeeping operations play a central role in reducing violence and ensuring stability. As the number of peacekeeping operations grows, together with the size of their mandates, so does the importance of U.S. involvement in this critical conflict management tool. But how central should multilateral peacekeeping be to U.S. foreign policy in times of fiscal austerity?

With a key role in U.S. national security, the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) bolsters peacekeeping missions worldwide through its on-the-ground training programs and by training local populations to resolve conflicts themselves before they turn deadly. To discuss U.S. support for international peacekeeping operations, USIP hosts Assistant Secretary of State for Poltical-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro for a public event on February 27. Mr. Shapiro will discuss U.S. programs to build global peacekeeping capacity, and the way these efforts help advance U.S. national security.

Featuring

· Mr. Andrew Shapiro
Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs

· Ms. Tara Sonenshine, Introductory Remarks
Executive Vice President, U.S. Institute of Peace

· Dr. Abiodun Williams, Moderator
Senior Vice President, Center for Conflict Management, U.S. Institute of Peace

Important information for guests attending public events at USIP.