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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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

Militants in Iraq Siphon State Pay

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Islamic State militants are skimming tens of millions of dollars a month from salaries paid to Iraqi government employees in occupied areas such as Mosul, and Baghdad continues to send the cash to maintain local support.
Country(s): 
Iraq
Author(s): 
Damian Paletta
Adam Entous
Publisher / Source: 
The Wall Street Journal
Tag(s): 
Terrorism

Yemen Was Washington’s Counterterrorism Success Story. Not Anymore.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
The sudden departure of U.S. special operations forces from Yemen marks a devastating blow to a counterterrorism campaign that Barack Obama’s administration had heralded as a success story, officials and experts say, as Washington suffers another intelligence reverse in the fight against the al Qaeda group that poses the greatest threat to Americans.
Country(s): 
Yemen
Author(s): 
Sean D. Naylor
Publisher / Source: 
Foreign Policy
Tag(s): 
Counterterrorism

Analysis: Boko Haram Loses Ground, but Remains in the Fight

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Nigeria and its allies appear to be making headway in the fight against Boko Haram. However, these initial victories may not mean that the region is closer to ending its fight against violent radical Islam.English
Country(s): 
Nigeria
Author(s): 
Laura Grossman
Publisher / Source: 
The Long War Journal
Tag(s): 
Terrorism
Conflict
Military Operations

Yemeni Minister Urges Gulf Arab Military Intervention Against Houthis

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
The Yemeni foreign minister, Riyadh Yaseen, has called for Gulf Arab military intervention to halt advances by Houthi fighters, a move that could draw neighbouring states into the country’s deepening power struggle.
Country(s): 
Yemen
Publisher / Source: 
The Guardian
Tag(s): 
Foreign Aid

Ghani Wants U.S. Troops to Stay in Afghanistan Longer

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan is expected to urge President Obama in a White House meeting on Tuesday not to pull American military forces out of his country as quickly as planned, requesting an extension of assistance in combating a tenacious Taliban insurgency.English
Country(s): 
Afghanistan
Author(s): 
Micael D. Shear
Publisher / Source: 
The New York Times

Editorial: OCO Boost Is a Bad Idea

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
The Obama administration wants $534 billion for DoD's base budget in 2016 — $36 billion more than spending caps allow, plus another $51 billion for the overseas contingency operations account.English
Country(s): 
Global
Publisher / Source: 
Defense News
Tag(s): 
Military
Militarization
Foreign Policy

Senegal's Karim Wade Jailed for Corruption

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
A court in Senegal has sentenced the son of former President Abdoulaye Wade to six years in prison for corruption. Karim Wade was also fined $230m (£150m) for illegal enrichment during his father's 12-year rule.English
Country(s): 
Senegal
Publisher / Source: 
BBC
Tag(s): 
Corruption

Appeals in Washington to Impose Sanctions on Azerbaijani Authorities for Crackdowns on Civil Society

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Leading U.S. analysts for Eurasia discussed the issues of repressions against the civil society activists and media in Azerbaijan calling on the West to impose sanctions on the government representatives who violate human rights in the country, Azerbaijani information agency Turan reports, citing its Washington correspondent.English
Country(s): 
Azerbaijan
Publisher / Source: 
Panorama (Armenia)
Tag(s): 
Sanctions
Human Rights

President Obama's Message to the Nigerian People

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
President Obama released a message to the Nigerian people to highlight the opportunity that the upcoming elections present for all Nigerians to stand together in rejecting violence and extremism and instead show their support for a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous future.
Author(s): 
U.S. Embassy Nigeria
Publisher / Source: 
YouTube
Tag(s): 
Terrorism

Uruguay Will No Longer Grant Asylum To Guantanamo Prisoners

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
The new Uruguayan government says it will no longer grant asylum to prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay detention centre.English
Country(s): 
Uruguay
Cuba
Publisher / Source: 
BBC
Tag(s): 
Law Enforcement

China, Russia and the Tussle for Influence in Kazakhstan

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Until recently, Central Asia played only a modest role in world politics, a reflection of its economic weakness, domestic problems, and distrust of integration. Russia’s presence in the region as the primary political mediator and economic partner was incontestable. In the last few years, though, China’s growing economic interest in Central Asia has come to be seen in Moscow as a threat to its influence.English
Country(s): 
Kazakhstan
Author(s): 
Arthur Guschin
Publisher / Source: 
The Diplomat
Tag(s): 
Foreign Policy

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