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The Price of Prevention

The Price of Prevention

The fourth report in the Sustainable Security series by Gayle Smith, David Sullivan, and Andrew Sweet looks at how to deal with global crises before they occur.

Other Africa Features

June 26, 2009

Give Reality a Chance

When I opened The Washington Times on Tuesday and saw an Op-Ed column by Dr. Ghazi Salahuddin Atabani, a key adviser to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, under the headline "Give peace a chance," I could only assume that April Fools' Day had arrived very late this year. Dr. Ghazi conveniently omitted a few key points that your readers should appreciate. His boss, Mr. Bashir, is wanted on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes, with a possible charge of genocide soon to follow. By John Norris
June 11, 2009

The World's New Threat: Conflict Fatigue

As violence escalates in eastern Congo, the world must recognize the need for sustained attention and intervention, write Colin Thomas-Jensen and Rebecca Feeley. By Colin Thomas-Jensen, Rebecca Feeley
May 8, 2009

Congo's Electronic Blood Diamonds

Millions of people have died in eastern Congo, in what is the world's deadliest conflict since the second world war. Ending the Democratic Republic of the Congo's multiple conflicts is the single most important task in improving the lives of Congolese, making more lasting development possible and giving people a say in their own affairs. Trying to talk about economic development in eastern Congo without acknowledging this elephant in the room just doesn't make sense. By John Norris
April 28, 2009

Activism and Darfur

John Norris and Rebecca Hamilton join CAP to discuss the role that the advocacy movement has played in Darfur.
April 12, 2009

Obama Can Make a Difference in Darfur

President Barack Obama should now move to finally end the crisis in Sudan, rather than to respond to the immediate symptoms. His administration and its new special envoy to Sudan, Gen. Scott Gration, can do that by focusing on three things. By John Prendergast
April 9, 2009

Obama Can End "Reign of Terror"

In addition to Iraq and Afghanistan, President Obama has inherited another military challenge started by his predecessor. This off-the-radar drama is unfolding under the forest canopy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By John Prendergast
March 22, 2009

Obama Must Halt Starvation in Darfur

Between 1991 and 1993, I traveled extensively as a human rights monitor in what became known as the “starvation triangle” in southeastern Sudan. A third of a million southern Sudanese civilians perished in those swamps and savannas, primarily due to the extended periods when the Sudanese government would cut off all access to humanitarian aid to the areas it was trying to pacify militarily. By John Prendergast
January 15, 2009

Time to Forcefully Oust Mugabe

In the past decade, working as a US diplomat and then as a human rights advocate, I've had the perversely unique opportunity to meet on occasion with one of the longest-serving dictators in the world, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. By John Prendergast
January 7, 2009

Cell Phones and Congo's War Against Women

What in the world could a policy wonk have in common with a movie actress? As it turns out, a lot. Every day we both use electronic devices that wouldn't work without raw materials from a country halfway around the world in central Africa. That country, Congo, has been torn apart by the deadliest war since World War II, where 5.4 million have perished. Its war is fueled by our inexhaustible thirst for cell phones, laptops, video games, digital recorders and other products that owe their existence to Congo's contribution to the world's mineral supply. By John Prendergast
December 11, 2008

Beyond Crisis Management in Eastern Congo

Report from Rebecca Feeley and Colin Thomas-Jensen on the violence in Eastern Congo. By Rebecca Feeley, Colin Thomas-Jensen
December 8, 2008

Obama's Africa Opportunity

Barack Obama's immense popularity on the African continent is more than a feel good story - it's of vital strategic utility to the United States. As an underdeveloped and unstable continent hangs in the balance, Obama has a unique ability to leverage his influence to root out terrorism and strengthen African states. By Laura Conley
November 6, 2008

Letter to President-Elect Barack Obama

The first in a series of letters to the next president from the ENOUGH project outlining a practical road map to end the crisis in Sudan. By John Prendergast, John Norris, Jerry Fowler
September 30, 2008

China's Deadly Investments

Tomorrow, China assumes the Presidency of the U.N. Security Council, a position that it last held in July 2007 when it led the authorization of a U.N. peacekeeping force for Darfur. At that time, Beijing appeared to be responding to a global campaign by activists, in advance of the Olympics, to shame China into using its influence to address human rights crises in locales in which it has significant economic investments. But China's actions have belied its rhetoric, and it has continued to protect its favorite deadly dictators in places like Darfur, Burma, and Zimbabwe. A revised strategy must put greater focus on China's wallet. By John Prendergast, David Sullivan
September 23, 2008

Sudan: Opportunity in the Midst of Crisis

The International Criminal Court's request for an indictment against against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir creates a new opening for peace, write John Prendergast and Colin Thomas-Jensen. By John Prendergast, Colin Thomas-Jensen
September 22, 2008

Mbeki Out in South Africa

Gayle Smith provides analysis on what happened with Mbeki's resignation, why it matters, and what we can do. By Gayle Smith
September 3, 2008

Somalia

ENOUGH report outlines the current crisis in Somalia, failed policies, and what needs to be done to get the country back on track. By Ken Menkhaus
August 11, 2008

Blowback

China’s approach to doing business with despots is remarkably ad hoc, commodity-driven, and short-sighted.
August 11, 2008

Breaking “The Greatest Silence”

“The Greatest Silence” explores the decade-old epidemic of kidnapping, rape, and torture of women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By Candice Knezevic
July 24, 2008

Irresolution: The U.N. Security Council on Darfur

The U.N. Security Council has an opportunity to demand real change in Sudan, but history suggests they won't act in time. By John Prendergast, David Sullivan
July 21, 2008

Seeking Justice for Zimbabwe

ENOUGH and Impunity Watch make a case for accountability against Robert Mugabe and others.
July 14, 2008

The Merits of Justice

Holding people accountable for war crimes is not only the right thing to do from a moral perspective—it directly promotes peace and makes future abuses less likely. By John Norris, David Sullivan, John Prendergast
June 23, 2008

Getting to a Post-Mugabe Zimbabwe

Gayle Smith discusses next steps for Zimbabwe in The Washington Post. By Gayle Smith
June 4, 2008

Past Due

ENOUGH report urges using a “3Ps” strategy to neutralize the FDLR and build momentum for an inclusive peace process in eastern Congo. By Rebecca Feeley, Colin Thomas-Jensen
May 30, 2008

Abyei Aflame

An ENOUGH! field update on Abyei, Sudan, where Sudanese Armed Forces recently burned houses and the market to the ground. By Roger Winter
May 14, 2008

Creating a Peace to Keep in Darfur

ENOUGH and the Save Darfur Coalition urge the U.S. government and the international community to take immediate steps to launch and sustain an all-encompassing peace process that addresses the local and national issues that are fueling this conflict. By John Prendergast, Jerry Fowler
May 13, 2008

Mugabe's Revenge: Halting the Violence in Zimbabwe

Report from ENOUGH details how to halt the rising violence surrounding Zimbabwe's contested elections. By Jamal Jafari
May 8, 2008

A New Peace Strategy for Northern Uganda and the LRA

Lord’s Resistance Army leader Joseph Kony’s failure to sign a peace deal drove a nail into the coffin of the Juba peace process; this report outlines a new strategy. By Julia Spiegel, John Prendergast
April 24, 2008

Fifteen Years After Black Hawk Down: Somalia's Chance?

Just as the Somali insurgency is intensifying, a possible window of opportunity has swung open in the form of a power-sharing agreement to end the war. By John Prendergast
April 22, 2008

Nasty Neighbors: Resolving the Chad-Sudan Proxy War

With the root causes of conflict in Chad and the Sudan still untended, this regional crisis is poised to deepen, writes Colin Thomas-Jensen. By Colin Thomas-Jensen
April 17, 2008

Sounding the Alarm on Abyei: An ENOUGH Report

A new ENOUGH report states that immediately addressing the deteriorating situation in Abyei should be a priority for U.S. peacekeeping. By Roger Winter
March 6, 2008

Human Rights in the Congo: Testimony of ENOUGH's Colin Thomas-Jensen

ENOUGH Policy Advisor Colin Thomas-Jensen testifies before the Congressional Human Rights Caucus Briefing on the Congo. By Colin Thomas-Jensen
February 28, 2008

Kenya: Containing a Rebounding Crisis

A strategy report from the ENOUGH project on how to ensure peace, protection, and accountability in Kenya and the region. By Gayle Smith
February 25, 2008

ENOUGH Policy Standard: Northern Uganda

An simple strategy built on promoting peace, providing civilian protection, and ensuring punishment of the perpetrators can lead to success.
February 21, 2008

Sudan Peace and Democracy Watch

ENOUGH provides an update on peacekeeping efforts in Sudan and what the U.S. and other nations can do to achieve a lasting agreement. By Omer Ismail
February 19, 2008

Is Anyone Serious About Ending the Political Crisis in Chad?

Colin Thomas-Jensen asks: "Is anyone serious about ending the political crisis in Chad?" The answer right now is “no,” but they should be. By Colin Thomas-Jensen
January 29, 2008

Abeyi: Sudan's "Kashmir"

This oil-rich region of Sudan is one of the most potent of tripwires in all of Sudan, write Roger Winter and John Prendergast. By Roger Winter, John Prendergast
December 12, 2007

A Diplomatic Surge for Northern Uganda

John Prendergast and Adam O'Brien argue that the time is ripe to pursue the conclusion of a swift deal with LRA leader Joseph Kony himself. By John Prendergast, Adam O’Brien
December 3, 2007

Don't Quit Now

Progress has been made, and with further effort, we have a real chance at ending the cycles of violence in Sudan, reports the ENOUGH project. By John Prendergast, Julia Spiegel, Lisa Rogoff
November 19, 2007

A Strategy for Success in Sirte

New ENOUGH report says that the Darfur peace talks in Sirte, Libya can succeed with the right efforts from the international community. By Colin Thomas-Jensen, John Prendergast
November 14, 2007

An All-Sudan Solution: Linking Darfur and the South

Roger Winter and John Prendergast detail the need to support both the resolution of Darfur’s crisis and the timely implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. By Roger Winter, John Prendergast
November 7, 2007

A Race Against Time in Eastern Chad

Chad is engulfed in a crisis that draws on internal contradictions, but is fueled and inflamed by the conflict in Darfur. By Omer Ismail, John Prendergast
October 29, 2007

What to Do About Joseph Kony

Unless the peace talks in Juba directly address LRA rebel leader Joseph Kony’s security concerns, peace will remain elusive in northern Uganda. By John Prendergast
October 24, 2007

Exploring the U.S. Role in Consolidating Peace and Security in the Great Lakes Region

The Democratic Republic of Congo demands U.S. attention to prevent a recurrence of a long-running crisis and maintain regional stability. By Gayle Smith
October 23, 2007

Genocide and the Rule of Law

Senior Fellow Gayle Smith tells the House Judiciary Committee that the Genocide Accountability Act is of critical importance to both principle and policy. By Gayle Smith
October 4, 2007

How to Get the UN/AU Hybrid Force Deployed to Darfur

Experts outline a plan for deploying a UN/AU hybrid force to Darfur to prevent UNAMID from failing before it even really exists. By John Prendergast, Colin Thomas-Jensen, Julia Spiegel
October 2, 2007

Needed: More Pressure, More Diplomacy

Prendergast argues before the Senate Banking Committee that increased pressure and diplomacy is the only way to end the genocide in Darfur. By John Prendergast
September 12, 2007

Averting the Nightmare Scenario in Eastern Congo

With tensions between Tutsi dissidents and Hutu rebels intensifying in recent weeks, ENOUGH provides solutions for averting the potential crisis. By John Prendergast, Colin Thomas-Jensen
September 6, 2007

Echoes of Genocide in Darfur and Eastern Chad

John Prendergast and Colin Thomas-Jensen of the ENOUGH project discuss the reality in Darfur and Eastern Chad and how we can move forward with solutions. By John Prendergast, Colin Thomas-Jensen
August 16, 2007

Farm Bill Robs Poor to Pay Rich

A major aid organization turns down millions in U.S. food aid because Farm Bill subsidies hurt the people the food would help.
August 9, 2007

The Fidelity Fallacy: The Link between HIV Infection and Marriage

Serra Sippel examines why marital sex is a leading cause of HIV infection in women worldwide and what can be done about it. By Serra Sippel

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Where We Stand on National Security

CAP’s national security approach embodies progressive traditions that have protected our nation and nurtured our democratic ideals and freedom at home and abroad. Our policy priorities secure our country from attack and protect our national security interests abroad by ensuring our military forces are capable and ready, and our democratic alliances are strong and enduring. We understand that integrated military, diplomatic, and economic power guided by progressive ideals makes us safer and more prosperous.