Listen to CFR's Matthew C. Waxman discuss his recent Council Special Report, Intervention to Stop Genocide and Mass Atrocities, as part of CFR's Religion and Foreign Policy Conference Call series.

Learn more about CFR's Religion and Foreign Policy Initiative.

Listen to CFR's Matthew C. Waxman discuss his recent Council Special Report, Intervention to Stop Genocide and Mass Atrocities, with students as part of CFR's Academic Conference Call series.

Learn more about CFR's Academic Initiative.

The Independent reports on hostility between the north and south in Yemen.

This academic module features teaching notes by Steven Pifer, author of the Council Special Report Averting Crisis in Ukraine, along with additional resources to supplement the text. In this report, Ambassador Pifer examines current issues facing Ukraine, including its geostragic relevance; the social, political, and economic relationship between Russia and Ukraine; the question of NATO membership; and the possibilities for integration into the West.

Although Lebanon has a new U.S.-backed Prime Minister, Hezbollah remains the dominant military and political force and it holds the key to both domestic and external stability, writes Mohamad Bazzi.

Watch experts participant in a Center for Preventative Action roundtable discussion on how to prevent future crises.

Listen to experts participant in a Center for Preventative Action roundtable discussion on how to prevent future crises.

Listen to CFR's Paul B. Stares discuss how to enhance U.S. preventive action capabilities with students, as part of CFR's Academic Conference Call series.

Learn more about CFR's Academic Initiative.

The United States can ill afford the burden of additional foreign policy challenges, making it imperative that the U.S. government find ways to identify, delay, and avert international crises that could harm U.S. interests or even lead to military engagement. In this report, the authors provide an actionable road map for how the U.S. government should revamp its existing U.S. prevention architecture to make it more effective in dealing with potential crises abroad.

This report from the International Crisis Group examines the potential for conflict in Ethiopia ahead of the June 2010 elections as ethnic tensions and dissent rises. The report urges the international community to encourage more meaningful democratic governance in the country.

Edward Thomas reports on the need to broker a better Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan,  the necessary role of the international community, and the potential ramifications of failure.

This report comprehensively analyzes Ukraine's difficulties, related to both domestic conditions and foreign policy, and recommends ways for the United States to encourage Ukraine on a path of stability and integration with the West.

Listen to CFR Middle East experts Steven A. Cook and Daniel Senor discuss the implications of the recent surge in violence in the Gaza strip.

Session II of a Council on Foreign Relations Center for Preventive Action Symposium on Assessing Critical Regions.

Session I of a Council on Foreign Relations Center for Preventive Action Symposium.

Listen to CFR experts consider potential threats the Obama administration could face in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, and suggest steps that can be taken to prevent conflicts.

Watch CFR experts consider potential threats the Obama administration could face in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, and suggest steps that can be taken to prevent conflicts.

This report by the United States Institute of Peace outlines the specific actions U.S. policymakers can take to prevent genocide, ranging from institution building to international parternships.

The Genocide Prevention Task Force was launched on November 13, 2007 and released its report to the public on December 8, 2008. It was jointly convened by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, The American Academy of Diplomacy, and the U.S. Institute of Peace.  It was funded by private foundations.  Its goals were: (1) To spotlight genocide prevention as a national priority; and; (2) To develop practical policy recommendations to enhance the capacity of the U.S. government to respond to emerging threats of genocide and mass atrocities.

The report, which is entitled "Preventing Genocide: A Blueprint for U.S. Policymakers", asserts that genocide is preventable, and that making progress toward doing so begins with leadership and political will.  The report provides 34 recommendations, starting with the need for high-level attention, standing institutional mechanisms, and strong international partnerships to respond to potential genocidal situations when they arise; it lays out a comprehensive approach, recommending improved early warning mechanisms, early action to prevent crises, timely diplomatic responses to emerging crises, greater preparedness to employ military options, and action to strengthen global norms and institutions.