Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) is a renowned nonpartisan international affairs think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C., with a global presence.

Founded in 1910 by Andrew Carnegie, the organization is dedicated to advancing cooperation between countries, reducing global conflict, and promoting active international engagement.

History and Establishment

Andrew Carnegie established the Endowment on November 25, 1910, with a gift of $10 million worth of first mortgage bonds.

His vision was to create a think tank dedicated to advancing world peace, charging trustees to use the fund to "hasten the abolition of international war".

Financial Sponsors

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is primarily funded through its endowment, originally established by Andrew Carnegie with a $10 million gift in 1910. This initial funding was provided in the form of first mortgage bonds, generating interest to support the organization's operations and mission. Over time, the organization has also received grants from various entities, such as the Hewlett Foundation, which awarded $1 million for specific projects like the Africa Program and Cyber Policy Initiative. In 2023, the organization reported revenue of $51,064,825 and expenses totaling $45,424,424.

Mission Statement

The Carnegie Endowment’s mission is to generate strategic ideas and independent analysis, support diplomacy, and train the next generation of international scholar-practitioners. These efforts aim to help countries and institutions address complex global challenges and safeguard international peace.

Objectives and Vision

The Carnegie Endowment seeks to advance international peace through:

• Geopolitical Analysis: Providing insights into regional contexts worldwide, including Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
• Governance: Developing innovative approaches to governance and international engagement.
• Global Cooperation: Addressing transnational issues such as climate change, nuclear deterrence, and disputes in global commons through tangible solutions.
• Technological Innovation: Bridging gaps between researchers, industry leaders, and governments on topics like artificial intelligence and biotechnology.

Its overarching vision remains rooted in Andrew Carnegie's original goal of promoting international cooperation to abolish war—the "foulest blot upon our civilization"—and fostering a peaceful global society.

Website and Contact Information

• Website: www.carnegieendowment.org
• Main Office Address: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 USA
• Phone Number: (202) 483-7600
• Contact Person: Alison Rausch (Vice President for Development)

Prominent Research Figures

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace has been home to numerous influential scholars and policymakers. Notable figures include:

• James T. Shotwell, a former president who played a pivotal role in drafting the United Nations Charter and establishing the UN Commission on Human Rights.
• Elihu Root, the first president of CEIP and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, known for his contributions to international law.
• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization, who served on the Board of Trustees.
• Other prominent figures include former U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower, John Foster Dulles (former Secretary of State), and Nicholas Murray Butler (Nobel Peace Prize laureate).

Global Presence

The Carnegie Endowment has expanded its reach globally over the years:

• Carnegie Europe in Brussels (2007)
• Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut (2006)
• Carnegie-Tsinghua Center in Beijing (2010)
• Carnegie India in New Delhi (2016)
• Al-Farabi Carnegie Program on Central Asia in Kazakhstan (2011)

This global network allows the organization to bring diverse perspectives to international policy debates.

Key Focus Areas

The Endowment's work covers a wide range of critical global issues:

• Democracy
• Technology
• Climate change
• Nuclear policy
• Regional studies (Asia, Africa, Europe, Middle East, Russia, and Eurasia)

Experts at Carnegie generate strategic ideas and independent analysis to help inform countries, institutions, and leaders on difficult global problems.

Funding and Financial Structure

As of 2020, the Carnegie Endowment reported:

• Total revenue: $57 million
• Contributions and grants: $41 million
• Total functional expenses: $38 million
• Salaries and wages: $14 million
• Executive compensation: $3 million

The organization receives funding from various sources, including private foundations, corporations, and government entities

Impact and Recognition

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is widely recognized for its influence in shaping global policy:

• Ranked as the number 1 top think tank in the world in the University of Pennsylvania's "2019 Global Go To Think Tanks Report".
• Known for supporting diplomacy and training the next generation of international scholar-practitioners.
• Maintains a network of over 150 experts who have served in nearly every U.S. administration since the Endowment's founding

Relations to Islamic Issues

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) continues to be a leading think tank in international affairs, with a strong focus on the Middle East and Islamic world. This report summarizes key findings and research areas related to Islamic issues and countries based on recent CEIP publications and initiatives.

Islamic Institutions in Arab States

Recent research by CEIP scholars has examined the complex relationship between Islamic institutions and Arab governments.

Key findings include:

• Arab regimes often attempt to co-opt and control Islamic institutions to counter domestic and external threats.
• In conflict-affected states, Islamic institutions have either fragmented or become prizes for competing factions.
• Western engagement with Islamic actors in conflict settings can be complicated by politicization and factionalization.

CEIP research has explored the evolving role of women in Islamic movements and societies:

• There is an emerging women's agenda within Islamist movements, though many reject the label of "feminism."
• Islamist women's activism often emphasizes the centrality of family while advocating for women's rights within an Islamic framework.
• Understanding these dynamics is crucial for effective engagement on women's issues in Muslim-majority countries.

Demographic Trends

Islam is projected to be the world's fastest-growing religious group in the coming decades:

• By 2100, Muslims are expected to outnumber Christians globally.
• By 2050, Muslims are projected to make up 10% of Europe's population.

These demographic shifts will have significant implications for global politics, economics, and social issues.

Economic Development

There are ongoing debates about the relationship between Islam and economic development:

Countries with predominantly Muslim populations tend to have lower average incomes compared to the global average. However, research on whether Islam itself hinders economic growth remains inconclusive.

Regional Dynamics

South Asia

CEIP analysis has highlighted the tension between traditional syncretist forms of Islam in South Asia and more puritanical interpretations from the Arabian peninsula “Islam in South Asia.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, https://carnegieendowment.org/posts/2004/07/islam-in-south-asia?lang=en. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

Key points include:

• The rise of radical groups in countries like Indonesia has been linked to legacies of military rule.
• Malaysia's experience with allowing Islamist parties to participate in a pluralist system has helped contain radicalism.
• Consistent democratic processes and socio-economic development may help marginalize radical Islamist groups over time.

Publishing/Significant Reports

The Carnegie Endowment regularly publishes research and reports on pressing global issues. Some key publications include:

• Annual Reports: These provide insights into global disruptions, governance challenges, and emerging regional dynamics.
• Policy Briefs: Focused on topics such as nuclear deterrence stability, U.S.-Iran relations, and China-India-U.S. trilateral dialogues.
• Specialized Journals: "Pro et Contra," a journal analyzing regional responses to geopolitical challenges like Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Carnegie’s research spans areas such as democracy, governance, nuclear policy, technology, and sustainability.

Impacts and Partnerships

The Carnegie Endowment has significantly influenced global policy through its partnerships and initiatives:

• United Nations Contributions: Played a critical role in shaping the UN Charter and promoting human rights.
• Regional Centers: Established offices in Asia, Beirut, Brussels, New Delhi, and Berlin to foster international cooperation.
• Collaborations: Worked with organizations like the MacArthur Foundation to advance nuclear nonproliferation and diplomatic initiatives such as U.S.-Iran and U.S.-DPRK dialogues.

Its partnerships have strengthened global governance frameworks and provided actionable solutions to complex geopolitical problems.

Critique on Its Work or Hidden Objectives

While the Carnegie Endowment is widely respected for its high-quality research, critiques have emerged regarding its ideological leanings:

• Left-Center Bias: The organization has been rated as moderately liberal in its editorial positions, favoring progressive causes while maintaining factual reporting standards.
• Advocacy Concerns: Some critics argue that CEIP’s focus on diplomacy may align with specific political agendas rather than purely nonpartisan objectives.

Despite these critiques, CEIP maintains a clean fact-check record and is considered trustworthy for accurate reporting.

Conclusion

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace tries to play a role in international affairs, leveraging its global network of experts and centers to provide strategic analysis and policy recommendations on critical global issues..

It can also provide insights and policy recommendations to address the complex challenges and opportunities related to Islam in the global context from its own perspective.