This week analysts largely dismissed the impact of NATO’s increased engagement in the South Caucasus while Russian officials touted the country’s military assistance to Central Asia
Congress, the Treasury Department, and the White House all unveiled new legislation and policies designed to encumber Syrian officials, Hezbollah’s assets, and Iran’s new ambassador to the United Nations. Below is a roundup of some of the top articles and news highlights from around the Middle East and North Africa over the last week:
United States Policy:
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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday for a budget hearing titled “National Security and Foreign Policy Priorities in the FY 2015 International Affairs Budget.” But instead of having Kerry testify to priorities found in next year’s budget, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee used the occasion to question the...
In 2014, the U.S. military has conducted a number of exercises across the continent of Africa. The objectives of these exercises ranged from strengthening the stability of a particular region to improving maritime security, though strengthening security partnerships between the U.S. and other militaries is the top priority for the United States. Below is a roundup of the exercises conducted so far this year.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry made his first trip to Algeria as Secretary on Thursday, where he met with Algerian officials and the co-chair of the U.S.-Algeria Strategic Dialogue, Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra. During the visit, both the United States and Algeria reiterated their commitment to stronger bilateral ties, including pledges to cooperate on counterterrorism measures in a region that has seen a rise in terrorist activities in the past few years.
In his...
We are pleased to reproduce this commentary from Colombian human rights defender and security expert Nancy Sánchez, who has worked for 20 years in the department of Putumayo, the zone along the Ecuadorian border where U.S.-backed operations under “Plan Colombia” began in 2000. The guerrilla “manual” to which her article refers is here.
The FARC’s...