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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Saudi Arabia Considering Five-Day Cease-Fire in Yemen

Friday, May 8, 2015
Saudi Arabia said it is considering a five-day cease-fire in Yemen to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid, contingent on Yemeni rebels’ acceptance of the deal. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, who was speaking at a news conference in Riyadh on Thursday with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, said the cease-fire would cover all of Yemen.
Country(s): 
Yemen
Author(s): 
Ahmed Al Omran
Hakim Almasmari
Publisher / Source: 
The Wall Street Journal

Defense Chief Rebuffs Congress on Iraqi Arms

Friday, May 8, 2015
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Thursday said he opposes an effort in Congress to directly arm the Kurdish peshmerga and Sunni tribal fighters in their fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syri (ISIS).English
Country(s): 
Iraq
Author(s): 
Kristina Wong
Publisher / Source: 
The Hill
Tag(s): 
Terrorism

Political Crisis Raises Fears of Widespread Bloodshed in Burundi

Friday, May 8, 2015
A growing political crisis is threatening to plunge Burundi into renewed bloodshed a decade after it emerged from civil war, with over 40,000 people already fleeing the country, officials say.English
Country(s): 
Burundi
Author(s): 
Abigail Higgins
Publisher / Source: 
The Washington Post
Tag(s): 
Refugees
Conflict
Civil Society

U.S. Trains Syrian Rebels in Jordan to Fight ISIS

Friday, May 8, 2015
After months of planning and delays, American Special Operations troops have started training a small group of Syrian rebels in Jordan, with the goal of creating a politically moderate force with the fighting prowess to take on the seasoned and well-armed extremists of the Islamic State, senior Pentagon officials said Thursday.English
Country(s): 
Syria
Jordan
Author(s): 
Matthew Rosenberg
Publisher / Source: 
The New York Times
Tag(s): 
Military and Police Aid

Analysis: Burundi Crisis Illustrates Africa’s Progress, Not its Decline

Friday, May 8, 2015
At first glance, the constitutional crisis in Burundi appears to embody the very worst of African politics, to encapsulate all the negative stereotypes about leadership and power on this continent. The author of the article argues, that the situation is quite the opposite, and the events in Burundi show the progress of African civil society. English
Country(s): 
Burundi
Author(s): 
Simon Allison
Publisher / Source: 
Daily Maverick
Tag(s): 
Civil Society

Turkey, Saudi in Pact to Help Anti-Assad Rebels

Friday, May 8, 2015
Casting aside U.S. concerns about aiding extremist groups, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have converged on an aggressive new strategy to bring down Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Country(s): 
Syria
Author(s): 
Desmond Butler
Publisher / Source: 
The Washington Post
Wire Service: 
The Associated Press
Tag(s): 
Military and Police Aid

The Growing Presence of the Islamic State in North Africa

Friday, May 8, 2015
The Maghreb region has long been a rich breeding ground for Islamic extremism and this is true of the security problems in Egypt, Mali and Libya.This article identifies the strength of support for IS in North Africa and provides an assessment on the potential risks for maritime interests and terrorist activity related to potential IS operations.English
Country(s): 
Middle East and North Africa Regional
Author(s): 
Risk Intelligence/SLD
Publisher / Source: 
Defence Web
Tag(s): 
Terrorism
Terrorism

Morocco Battles Islamic State Cells

Friday, May 8, 2015
Hardly a week goes by without Moroccan security services announcing the arrest of members allegedly linked to the terrorist Islamic State (IS) organization. Since the official announcement of the establishment of the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ), the dismantlement of a number of jihadist cells that are ideologically linked to IS was also announced. The Moroccan authorities are certain that the terrorist threat has reached their territory, particularly following the Bardo Museum attack in neighboring Tunisia. English
Country(s): 
Morocco
Author(s): 
Imad Stitou
Publisher / Source: 
Al Monitor
Tag(s): 
Terrorism
Terrorism

Military Responds to Air Safety Issues in Djibouti

Friday, May 8, 2015
A series of measures have been implemented in response to air safety concerns in Djibouti, where numerous errors in recent years by local air traffic controllers have put both military and civilian aircraft at risk, U.S. military and diplomatic officials said. Reforms include sharing best practices with Djiboutian civilian air traffic operators, establishing bilateral task forces and the addition of a special military-controlled radar to improve the situational awareness for military pilots taking off and landing at Djibouti’s Ambouli airport.English
Country(s): 
Djibouti
Author(s): 
John Vandiver
Publisher / Source: 
Stars and Stripes
Tag(s): 
Militarization
Military and Police Aid

Saudi Arabia to Build Planes with Ukraine's Antonov

Friday, May 8, 2015
Saudi Arabia and Ukraine's Antonov aircraft company are to build transport planes for military and civilian use in a deal strengthening the kingdom's drive to develop a domestic military industry.
Country(s): 
Saudi Arabia
Author(s): 
Hadeel Al Sayegh
Olzhas Auyezov
Publisher / Source: 
Reuters
Tag(s): 
Military Cooperation

U.S. Africa Command Helps Continent Become More Stable

Friday, May 8, 2015
U.S. officials say the partnership between AFRICOM and African nations will continue to grow. Because of these ties, they believe the continent will become more stable, secure and prosperous.English
Country(s): 
Africa Regional
Author(s): 
Carla Babb
Publisher / Source: 
The Voice of America

U.S. Begins Syrian Training; Questions Linger

Friday, May 8, 2015
The US has formally begun training "moderate opposition" forces in Syria, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced Thursday. But while the training may be underway, there appears to be some questions about how the US will support the forces, particularly if they enter conflict with the military of embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.English
Country(s): 
Syria
Author(s): 
Aaron Mehta
Publisher / Source: 
Defense News
Tag(s): 
Military and Police Aid
Conflict
Conflict Resolution

OSCE Supports Hazardous Waste Management in Tajikistan

Friday, May 8, 2015
A three-day training on international best practices in hazardous waste management concluded on May 7 at the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.More than 25 government officials from relevant ministries and government agencies as well as representatives of civil society were informed of best practice in the disposal of hazardous waste and the securing and monitoring of hazardous waste sites. English
Country(s): 
Tajikistan
Publisher / Source: 
The Times of Central Asia (TCA)
Tag(s): 
Arms Control
Security

U.S.-Mexico Border Braces for Summer Migrant Surge as Children Risk Lives Alone

Thursday, May 7, 2015
Senior security and immigration officials have expressed confidence that this summer will not see a repeat of past year massive crossings by unaccompanied Central American children: a result which officials attribute to a successful campaign in Central America to persuade would-be migrants that even if they reach the US, they will have little prospect of remaining.English
Country(s): 
Central America Regional
Author(s): 
Tom Dart
Publisher / Source: 
The Guardian
Tag(s): 
Refugees
Migration
Human Rights
Border Control

Protecting the force in El Salvador: Security is a Priority for U.S. Soldiers, Even in Peacetime Missions

Thursday, May 7, 2015
U.S. army arrived to El Salvador to participate in Beyond the Horizon 2015 - a humanitarian and civic assistance mission that lasts several months, and provides construction and medical assistance to the people of El Salvador. English
Country(s): 
El Salvador
Author(s): 
1st Lt. Christopher Stanis
Publisher / Source: 
DVIDS
Tag(s): 
Foreign Aid
Foreign Aid

Crime in Mexico, Central America Joins War in Driving People From their Homes

Thursday, May 7, 2015
A report by the Norwegian Refugee Council underscored escalating criminal violence by gangs and drug cartels forcing hundreds of thousands to abandon their homes in Mexico and Central America. Criminal violence drove more than a half million people from their homes in two countries, Guatemala and El Salvador. Crime also drove an estimated 281,400 from their homes in Mexico. English
Country(s): 
Central America Regional
Author(s): 
John Zarocostas
Publisher / Source: 
SunHerald.com
Tag(s): 
Migration
Human Rights

Outsized Risks Face Peru's Expendable Cocaine Couriers

Thursday, May 7, 2015
Sixty percent of Peru's cocaine comes from the remote Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro river valley, and the backpackers trek for three to five days to deliver cocaine to traffickers who move the drugs on for export. The young men often become victims of the armed gangs, crooked police, and rival backpacker groups.English
Country(s): 
Peru
Author(s): 
Franklin Briceno
Frank Bajak
Publisher / Source: 
ABC News
Wire Service: 
AP
Tag(s): 
Drug Trade

Georgia-United States Pledge Future Cooperation

Thursday, May 7, 2015
The bond between Georgia and the United States (US) is strengthening, as the US side confirmed it intended to continue cooperating with Georgia in a range of sectors at a bilateral meeting between country officials today.English
Country(s): 
Georgia
Publisher / Source: 
Agenda.ge
Tag(s): 
Military
Foreign Policy
Foreign Policy

Taliban Fears over Young Recruits Attracted to ISIS in Afghanistan

Thursday, May 7, 2015
Foreign fighters who claim allegiance to Islamic State are gathering dozens of recruits in eastern Afghanistan, luring would-be jihadis with generous resources and the group’s powerful brand, according to a Taliban fighter who has met several of their commanders.English
Country(s): 
Afghanistan
Author(s): 
Emma Graham-Harrison
Publisher / Source: 
The Guardian
Tag(s): 
Terrorism
Terrorism

ISIL in Afghanistan? Not so Fast

Thursday, May 7, 2015
While officials both inside and outside of Kabul have nervously been looking for signs that ISIL would seek to turn Afghanistan into its next battlefield, there is little evidence of a substantive presence of the group in the country.English
Country(s): 
Afghanistan
Author(s): 
Olof Blomqvist
Publisher / Source: 
Al Jazeera English
Tag(s): 
Terrorism
Terrorism

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