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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U.S. Adds Caucasus Emirate Leader To Terrorist List

Thursday, March 26, 2015
The United States has designated a senior leader of the Islamist insurgency in Russia's North Caucasus as a terrorist, subjecting him to sanctions. English
Country(s): 
Central Asia Regional
Publisher / Source: 
Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty
Tag(s): 
Terrorism
Sanctions

Saudi Arabia Launches Yemen Air Strikes as Alliance Builds Against Houthi Rebels

Thursday, March 26, 2015
The U.S. has confirmed its support for an extraordinary international military alliance that is emerging to counter Houthi rebel advances in Yemen. As Saudi Arabia began pounding the rebels with airstrikes, countries from the Middle East to Pakistan were said to be prepared to commit troops for a ground assault.
Country(s): 
Yemen
Author(s): 
Dan Roberts
Kareem Shaheen
Publisher / Source: 
The Guardian
Tag(s): 
Military Cooperation

Burundi's Blacklist: Journalists, Activists Bemoan Mounting Harassment

Thursday, March 26, 2015
Burundi's government fiercely denies the allegations, yet at the same time makes no secret of its disdain of a section of the media and NGOs who are seen as political opponents in all but name.English
Country(s): 
Burundi
Publisher / Source: 
The East African
Wire Service: 
AFP
Tag(s): 
Human Rights
Human Rights

U.S. Warns of Possible Attacks in Ugandan Capital

Thursday, March 26, 2015
The United States said on Wednesday it had information of "possible terrorist threats" to locations frequented by Westerners in Uganda's capital, Kampala, and warned that an attack could take place soon.English
Country(s): 
Uganda
Publisher / Source: 
Reuters
Tag(s): 
Civil Society
Foreign Policy

Power and Influence in Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Africa

Thursday, March 26, 2015
This paper explores the changing power capabilities of Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa (the ‘Big Five’) over the next 25 years. Of these countries, Ethiopia and Nigeria are forecast to increase their power capabilities, whereas Algeria, Egypt and South Africa are expected to stagnate or decline.
Author(s): 
Jakkie Cilliers
Julia Schünemann
Jonathan D Moyer
Publisher / Source: 
Institute for Security Studies Africa

Colombia Drug Eradication Debate Revived As Herbicide Deemed Carcinogen

Thursday, March 26, 2015
The new labeling of the world’s most-popular weed killer as a likely cause of cancer is raising more questions for an aerial spraying program in Colombia that is the cornerstone of the U.S.-backed war on drugs. English
Country(s): 
Colombia
Publisher / Source: 
Colombia Reports
Wire Service: 
AFP, Associated Press
Tag(s): 
Human Rights

Will Congress arm Iraqi Kurds?

Thursday, March 26, 2015
The top House Republican in charge of foreign policy is lining up allies in his bid to directly arm the Iraqi Kurds in their fight against the Islamic State (IS).
Country(s): 
Iraq
Publisher / Source: 
Al Monitor
Tag(s): 
Terrorism

Iran-backed Rebels Loot Yemen Files about U.S. Spy Operations

Thursday, March 26, 2015
Secret files held by Yemeni security forces that contain details of American intelligence operations in the country have been looted by Iran-backed militia leaders, exposing names of confidential informants and plans for U.S.-backed counter-terrorism strikes, U.S. officials say.
Country(s): 
Yemen
Author(s): 
Brian Bennett
Zaid Al-Alayaa
Publisher / Source: 
Los Angeles Times

Official: Boko Haram Using Civilians as Human Shields

Thursday, March 26, 2015
Boko Haram is using an unknown number of civilians as human shields as its fighters flee an offensive by multinational forces, a top Nigerian official said Wednesday.English
Country(s): 
West Africa Regional
Publisher / Source: 
The New York Times
Wire Service: 
AP
Tag(s): 
Terrorism
Military Operations

Russian FM Visits Cuba, Calls for End to U.S. Trade Embargo

Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Russian Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov has launched a tour of Latin America with a stop in Cuba, where he has called for an end to the U.S. embargo against the island nation.English
Country(s): 
Cuba
Publisher / Source: 
ABC
Tag(s): 
Sanctions
Foreign Policy

Exercise Obangame Express 2015 Commences

Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Maritime forces from Gulf of Guinea nations, Europe, South America, the United States and several regional and international organizations began the multinational maritime Exercise, Obangame Express 2015, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). It is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness (MDA), information-sharing practices, and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of Gulf of Guinea nations to counter sea-based illicit activities.English
Country(s): 
West Africa Regional
Author(s): 
US Naval Forces Europe-Africa
Publisher / Source: 
Defence Web
Tag(s): 
Military Exercises
Conflict

The Mexican Military's Buying Binge

Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Mexico has been on a buying spree for U.S. military equipment, especially helicopters and armored vehicles, with purchases amounting to more than a billion dollars in the last 12 months. U.S. Northern Commmand chief Admiral William Gortney said the combined deals represent "a 100-fold increase from prior years." For a military supposedly proud of its independence from the United States, it is a dependent client.English
Country(s): 
Mexico
Author(s): 
John Lindsay-Poland
Publisher / Source: 
NACLA
Tag(s): 
Military Equipment

Malawi Gets $18 Million IMF Aid After Commitment to Fight Corruption

Wednesday, March 25, 2015
The International Monetary Fund will provide $18.1 million to Malawi after its government promised to tackle the corruption that led to a suspension of aid by donors following large-scale graft involving public funds. English
Country(s): 
Malawi
Author(s): 
Mabvuto Banda
Stella Mapenzauswa
Publisher / Source: 
The Africa Report (France)
Tag(s): 
Corruption
Security
Foreign Aid

Taliban Says U.S. Troop Cut Delay Hurts Peace Prospects

Wednesday, March 25, 2015
A Taliban spokesman says the U.S. decision to delay the reduction of troops in Afghanistan will badly undermine the chances for peace.English
Country(s): 
Afghanistan
Central Asia Regional
Publisher / Source: 
Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty
Tag(s): 
Terrorism
Peace Negotiations

Lashkar-i-Islam Spokesperson Killed in Khyber Blitz

Wednesday, March 25, 2015
The strikes are part of Operation 'Khyber One' and 'Khyber Two', launched by security forces and aimed at targeting militants in Khyber Agency, particularly the Tirah Valley of Bara which borders Nazyan province of Afghanistan.English
Country(s): 
Pakistan
Central Asia Regional
Author(s): 
Ali Akbar
Publisher / Source: 
DAWN (Pakistan)
Tag(s): 
Conflict
Conflict

Hidden Cruelties: Prison Conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa

Wednesday, March 25, 2015
As in other parts of the world, most prison systems in sub-Saharan Africa are abusive. Routine and bureaucratized abuses are widespread throughout the region. This article looks at the challenges facing the continent’s prison systems, using case studies from several countries to better understand the possible paths to reform. English
Country(s): 
Sub-Saharan Africa Regional
Author(s): 
Martin Schönteich
Publisher / Source: 
World Politics Review
Tag(s): 
Law Enforcement
Human Rights
United Nations

U.S. to Delay Pullout of Troops From Afghanistan to Aid Strikes

Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Mr. Obama on Tuesday announced that he would leave 9,800 American troops in Afghanistan until at least the end of the year. The announcement came after a daylong White House meeting with President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan. English
Country(s): 
Afghanistan
Central Asia Regional
Author(s): 
Michael D. Shear
Mark Mazzetti
Publisher / Source: 
The New York Times

To Understand Why West Africa is Finally Teaming Up Against Boko Haram, Follow the Money

Wednesday, March 25, 2015
In 2014, it was reported that the Lake Chad basin may contain as much as 2.32 billion barrels of oil and 14.65 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The volatility from Boko Haram, however, has prevented international oil companies from exploring this option. The revenue forsaken because of the insurgency, according to these theories, was sufficient to convince Niger, Cameroon, and Chad, to unite against the insurgents.English
Country(s): 
West Africa Regional
Author(s): 
Hilary Matfess
Publisher / Source: 
Quartz
Tag(s): 
Military Cooperation
Terrorism

Saudi Arabia Building Up Military Near Yemen Border - U.S. Officials

Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Saudi Arabia is moving heavy military equipment including artillery to areas near its border with Yemen, U.S. officials said on Tuesday, raising the risk that the Middle East’s top oil power will be drawn into the worsening Yemeni conflict.
Country(s): 
Yemen
Saudi Arabia
Author(s): 
Mark Hosenball
Phil Stewart
Matt Spetalnick
Publisher / Source: 
Reuters
Tag(s): 
Military Equipment

The Hazard Below: Colombia Tackles its Landmine Issue amid Peace Talks

Wednesday, March 25, 2015
As a child soldier for Colombia’s largest guerrilla group, Jairo watched his fellow fighters seed trails and pastures with anti-personnel mines designed to kill and maim. Sometimes they made careful maps indicating where the explosives were buried. Other times they carried the knowledge in their heads — and when they died in combat the mines became a perilous mystery.
Country(s): 
Colombia
Author(s): 
Jim Wyss
Publisher / Source: 
Miami Herald
Tag(s): 
Peace Negotiations

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