Resources - News

This section includes the latest news relating to U.S. security policy around the world. Updated daily, the news provided in this searchable database highlights the most relevant security developments from around the world. 

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Egypt’s authoritarian crackdown hasn’t helped in the fight against terrorism

Saturday, November 4, 2017
This article states that President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi has sought to address the symptoms of terrorism rather than its causes allowing his regime to crack down on dissent and consequently fuel extremist violence.
Author(s): 
Nancy Okail
Amr Kotb
Publisher / Source: 
The Washington Post

Military-Grade Night Vision Gear Is Widely Available To Civilians — And That’s A Problem

Tuesday, October 31, 2017
SAM Director Colby Goodman weighs in on the debate surrounding the transfer of oversight for military equipment exports to the commerce department, specifically the export of high-tech night vision gear.
Author(s): 
Sascha Brodsky
Publisher / Source: 
Huffpost

Afghan War Data, Once Public, Is Censored in U.S. Military Report

Monday, October 30, 2017
This article discusses the American military command in Afghanistan's decision to keep secret key figures related to the growth and progress of local security forces.
Author(s): 
Thomas Gibbons-Neff
Publisher / Source: 
The New York Times

Kurdish crisis imperils US anti-terror fight in Syria

Monday, October 30, 2017
This article explores how recent engagements between Kurdish groups and the Iraqi government may disrupt efforts to fight the Islamic State.
Author(s): 
Jack Detsch
Publisher / Source: 
Al-Monitor

The U.S. Military is Conducting Secret Missions All Over Africa

Wednesday, October 25, 2017
In this article SAM Director Colby Goodman discusses the increase in U.S. military training to Africa and the need for risk assessments for U.S. military operations on the continent.
Author(s): 
Nick Turse
Publisher / Source: 
Vice News

Pentagon says Iraqi flight ban won’t impact U.S. military assistance to Kurds

Wednesday, October 25, 2017
This article explains why Iraq’s ban on international flights to the Kurdistan Region will not impact US military and humanitarian aid to the embattled Kurds.
Author(s): 
Jack Detsch
Publisher / Source: 
Al-Monitor

U.S. Pulls Military Assistance to Myanmar Over Rohingya Abuses

Tuesday, October 24, 2017
This article discusses how Washington's decision to end military aid to some Myanmar units involved in the forced displacement of the Rohingya minority may backfire on U.S. efforts to end the crackdown.
Author(s): 
Martin De Bourmont
Publisher / Source: 
Foreign Policy

US Will Expand Counterterrorism Focus in Africa, Mattis Tells Senators

Friday, October 20, 2017
This article highlights the Defense Department's changing strategy in combatting terrorist groups in Africa, including new policies on targeting individuals and on when US ground troops would be used. 
Author(s): 
Karoun Demirjian
Publisher / Source: 
The Washington Post
Tag(s): 
Africa
Counterterrorism

America Should Beware a Chadian Military Scorned

Wednesday, October 18, 2017
This opinion piece states that the Trump Administration’s decision to include Chad in the travel ban was a mistake and the partial withdrawal of Chadian soldiers from areas that are heavily targeted by Boko Haram could result in swift and serious consequences.
Author(s): 
Alexander Thurston
Publisher / Source: 
Foreign Policy
Tag(s): 
Trump's adminstration

In Somalia, Bombings Highlight Limits of US Military Assistance

Monday, October 16, 2017
The article discusses the limits of the U.S. military assistance that the Somali government has received and the need for a new strategy from both US forces and the Somali government to counter violent extremism as militant groups adapt to increased US military action.English
Author(s): 
Rachel Ansley
Publisher / Source: 
The Atlantic Council
Wire Service: 
http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/in-somalia-bombings-highlight-limits-of-us-military-assistance
Tag(s): 
Somalia
US military assistance

U.S. Arms Sales Notifications Spike Under the Trump Administration

Friday, September 22, 2017
The Trump Administration is set to surpass U.S. arms sales under the Obama Administration by record numbers based on analysis of available U.S. arms sales notifications to Congress under both the Foreign Military Sales and Direct Commercial Sales programs from January to September in 2016 and 2017. Compared to 2016, the Trump Administration has more than doubled the dollar amount of U.S. arms sales notifications over the Obama Administration. The below chart and table provides details on all of these proposed deals for 2016 and 2017 and will be regularly updated with new data and analysis.
Publisher / Source: 
Security Assistance Monitor
Tag(s): 
Arms Sales Notifications

Loving USAID to Death

Monday, September 18, 2017
This LobeLog article links to the Security Assistance Monitor site in reference to the security assistance that is provided by the Department of State and the Department of Defense globally and the need for improved accountability in foreign aid resources.
Author(s): 
Diana Ohlbaum
Publisher / Source: 
LobeLog: Foreign Policy
Tag(s): 
Foreign Aid

Are We Making the Same Mistakes in Iraq?

Monday, September 18, 2017
This article, by SAM Program Manager Seth Binder, questions whether the US fight against ISIS will fall prey to the same human rights abuses and corruption issues that plagued the development of the Iraqi military following the US invasion of Iraq. The author uses SAM data to provide context for how much funding the US has provided to Iraq.
Country(s): 
Iraq
Author(s): 
Seth Binder
Publisher / Source: 
InkStick

U.S. Plan for New Afghan Force Revives Fears of Militia Abuses

Friday, September 15, 2017
The article discusses a potential model that the U.S. military is considering in order to maintain the Afghan government’s waning control — without too high a cost — in difficult parts of Afghanistan at a time when the Taliban are resurgent.
Country(s): 
Afghanistan
Author(s): 
Mujib Mashal
Publisher / Source: 
The New York Times
Tag(s): 
Military

The United States Munitions List: When Guns Come Off of the ITAR

Thursday, September 14, 2017
This article talks about U.S. efforts to move oversight of some firearms and ammunition exports from the State Department to the Commerce Department and how the move might benefit the U.S. firearms industry and exporters.
Author(s): 
Lisa C. Mays
Reid Whitten
Publisher / Source: 
The National Law Review
Tag(s): 
Arms Control

The Pentagon's $2.2 Billion Soviet Arms Pipeline Flooding Syria

Tuesday, September 12, 2017
This article investigates how the Pentagon is using a mix of contractors, SOCOM and other facilities to send soviet arms to Syrian rebels after previous attempts to arms rebels had failed.
Country(s): 
Syria
Author(s): 
Ivan Angelovski
Lawrence Marzouk
Publisher / Source: 
Balkan Insight
Tag(s): 
Arms Sales

Azerbaijan Threatens to Cut Off Military Cooperation With US, NATO

Tuesday, September 12, 2017
This article covers the recent Azerbaijani threat to end military cooperation with both the US and NATO after increased pressure to improve its human rights record.
Country(s): 
Azerbaijan
Author(s): 
Joshua Kucera
Publisher / Source: 
LobeLog
Tag(s): 
Military Cooperation

Changes in US aid to Egypt: Inconsistency, blind austerity and fluctuations in political will

Tuesday, September 12, 2017
This article explores the myriad of possible reasons for behind the Trump administration’s recent denial and withholding of aid packages to Egypt.
Country(s): 
Egypt
Author(s): 
Amr Kotb
Publisher / Source: 
Madamasr
Tag(s): 
Foreign Aid

US arms sale to Bahrain raises questions about sustainability

Tuesday, September 12, 2017
This article questions to recent US sales of top level fighter jets along with other supplies, arguing that Bahrain may not get the most effective use out of the weapon systems.
Country(s): 
Bahrain
Author(s): 
Jack Detsch
Publisher / Source: 
Al Monitor
Tag(s): 
Arms Sales

Playing the Long Game - U.S. Counterterrorism Assistance for Lebanon

Monday, September 11, 2017
The report focuses on the Lebanese government’s ability to mitigate threats from Salafi-jihadi groups, and explores aspects of U.S. policy toward Hezbollah. It argues against the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and suggests additional steps that it and Congress can take to strengthen Lebanon’s counterterrorism capabilities, including continued Foreign Military Financing for Lebanon and leveraging U.S. assistance for better counterterrorism coordination.
Country(s): 
Lebanon
Author(s): 
Hardin Lang
Alia Awadallah
Publisher / Source: 
Center for American Progress
Tag(s): 
Counterterrorism

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