Ploughshares Blog: Conflict Prevention

If you’re a woman in Manipur, North India, it’s hard to feel safe. An area of chaos and violence, Manipur has a history of political instability and infighting between the dozens of ethnic groups who reside there. A weak economy has led to rampant extortion, kidnappings, and murders. Safe havens are few and far between. Read more »
Posted by Megan Murphy on August 4, 2011
Three weeks ago, deadly bombings in Mumbai took 24 lives. With anger and suspicion high, India vowed to find the terrorists responsible. Any chance for diplomacy with Pakistan, their historically unwelcome neighbor, seemed diminished. Yet not even a month later, the Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers found themselves face to face across a table. Read more »
Posted by Megan Murphy on August 2, 2011
The largely positive recent meeting between Pakistan and India’s foreign ministers marks an uptick in bilateral relations, but the two countries still have a long way to go. Read more »
Posted by Rizwan Ladha on July 29, 2011
Pakistan often makes rhetorical statements that are contradictory to its actions – which is not the way to make long-term, sustainable progress on the security issues of most concern to Pakistan, its neighbors and its partners. The problem is that the rest of us are not doing enough to put an end to that duplicity. It’s time to change course. Read more »
Posted by Rizwan Ladha on July 12, 2011
Countdown to Zero, the compelling new documentary on the danger nuclear weapons pose to global security,is opening in the United Kingdom on June 21, where 77 theaters around the country will premiere the film. Read more »
Posted by Megan Murphy on June 13, 2011
It has been two years since North Korea set off its second nuclear test, and nearly as long since an American official has been to the Hermit Kingdom. Read more »
Posted by Paul Carroll on May 26, 2011
Whether you are concerned with success in Afghanistan, preventing nuclear terrorism, or any other host of global security issues, the link between the stability of Pakistan and the security of the world is very clear. To better understand this region of the world the Council on Foreign Relations recently released “Crisis Guide: Pakistan” -- an interactive, beautifully edited, and authoritative analysis of the current state of affairs in South Asia. Read more »
Posted by Reid Pauly on October 13, 2010
New analysis of the effects of monsoon flooding in Pakistan have revealed that some of the worst affected areas are those which were already home to intense violence and insurgent conflict. The Pakistani people, who were already displaced by violence and instability, have again seen their livelihoods destroyed by the flooding. In areas such as Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and other Federally Administered Tribal Areas, the fighting already destroyed much of the infrastructure that would have been relied upon for disaster relief. Read more »
Posted by Reid Pauly on September 21, 2010
Ploughshares Fund Program Officer Haleh Hatami is in Islamabad, Pakistan visiting grantees and conducting research on the Ploughshares Fund’s investment strategy in conflict prevention in South Asia. Read more »
Posted by Reid Pauly on September 15, 2010
In the northwest region of Pakistan, which has been devastated by dramatic floods, Ploughshares Fund grantee Internews is providing glimmers of hope to local residents.  Internews is working with local radio stations to ensure that journalists are able to provide more than 5 million people affected by the floods with critical information about flood damage and relief efforts. Read more »
Posted by Kelly Bronk on August 25, 2010