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. Blacklists more Ukrainian Rebels, Expands Non-Lethal Aid

Thursday, March 12, 2015
The United States announced $75 million in non-lethal aid for Ukraine on Wednesday and placed sanctions on a handful of Ukrainian separatists, a Russian bank and others after accusing Russian-backed rebels of breaking a European-brokered ceasefire.English
Country(s): 
Ukraine
Central Asia Regional
Author(s): 
Jason Lange
David Alexander
Publisher / Source: 
Reuters

With FARC Somewhat Off the Hook, ELN Embraces for Increase in Military Attacks

Thursday, March 12, 2015
Colombia's military forces will increase military attacks on the ELN, the country's second largest rebel group, after President Juan Manuel Santos order a month-long suspension of attacks on the FARC.English
Country(s): 
Colombia
Author(s): 
Alice Bradshaw-Smith
Publisher / Source: 
Colombia Reports

U.S. Defense Officials Weigh How to Protect Syrian Rebels After Training

Thursday, March 12, 2015
Moderate Syrian rebels will need some degree of U.S. support and protection after they have been trained, the top U.S. military officer said Wednesday, but added that the “scope and scale” of the protection is still being debated.
Country(s): 
Iraq
Syria
Author(s): 
Julian E. Barnes
Publisher / Source: 
The Wall Street Journal

Fixing ‘Broken Windows’ Policing to Make It Work for Latin America

Thursday, March 12, 2015
Of the 10 countries with the highest homicide rates, eight are in Latin America and the Caribbean. The region is likewise home to 34 of the world’s 50 most violent cities. The social and economic impacts of those levels of crime are massive, and, as a result, governments and private sectors in Mexico, Brazil and, more recently, Guatemala and El Salvador are looking for new solutions. They have sought advice from two familiar sources in American policing: former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and current New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton.
Country(s): 
Central America Regional
Author(s): 
Michael J. Jenkins
Michael Allison
Publisher / Source: 
World Politics Review
Tag(s): 
Violence

U.S. Backs U.N. Resolution on Boko Haram Regional Force

Thursday, March 12, 2015
The United States supports the creation of a West African force of up to 10,000 troops to fight Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram, a U.S. defense official said on Wednesday. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs Amanda J. Dory said on a visit to Cameroon that Washington, one of five veto-holding members of the U.N. Security Council, would back a U.N. resolution.English
Country(s): 
Africa Regional
Author(s): 
Tansa Musa
Publisher / Source: 
Reuters
Tag(s): 
Terrorism
United Nations
Foreign Policy

Government Neglect Drives Mexico's Poppy Farmers into Drug Trade

Thursday, March 12, 2015
The farmers blame the Mexican government for their role in Mexico’s multibillion-dollar drug-trafficking industry.English
Country(s): 
Mexico
Author(s): 
Matt Chandler
Publisher / Source: 
Al Jazeera
Tag(s): 
Drug Trade

Training in Uganda: Coping with Floods, Epidemic and Terror Threats

Thursday, March 12, 2015
An annual training exercise the U.S. Army conducts with east African armies Called Eastern Accord is designed to foster regional cooperation to deal with security threats and humanitarian crises, train U.S. troops to work in austere environments with their African counterparts, and provide U.S. and east African military officials the opportunity to develop friendly relationships.
Country(s): 
Uganda
Author(s): 
Nancy Montgomery
Publisher / Source: 
Stars and Stripes
Tag(s): 
Military and Police Aid
Military Exercises

Kyrgyzstan Takes Aim at Extremist Recruiting

Thursday, March 12, 2015
During the past year, Kyrgyz security forces have unmasked underground radical organizations, broken up transport routes for militant recruits trying to join the wars in the Middle East, and arrested suspected terrorists. But they are not complacent. English
Country(s): 
Kyrgyzstan
Publisher / Source: 
24.kg (Kyrgyzstan)
Tag(s): 
Terrorism

U.S. Still Giving a Corrupt Afghanistan a Blank Check

Wednesday, March 11, 2015
The U.S. has poured more than $104 billion into rebuilding Afghanistan – investing in projects and programs that were meant to boost its economy and bolster its security. Last week, SIGAR reported that despite spending $65 billion to train and equip Afghan Security Forces, the troops have shrunk to their lowest level in years. The country and its civilians are increasingly vulnerable to insurgent attacks since NATO troops have ceased their combat mission. English
Country(s): 
Afghanistan
Central Asia Regional
Author(s): 
Brianna Ehley
Publisher / Source: 
The Fiscal Times
Tag(s): 
U.S. Policy

USNS Spearhead Completes Angolan Phase of Africa Partnership Station 2015

Wednesday, March 11, 2015
U.S., British and Spanish Marines embarked aboard Military Sealift Command joint, high-speed vessel USNS Spearhead conducted a full schedule of weapons and tactics training alongside Angolan military personnel as part of Africa Partnership Station 2015 in the port of Luanda, Angola, March 2-7.English
Country(s): 
Angola
Author(s): 
U.S. Navy
Publisher / Source: 
Defence Web
Tag(s): 
Military Exercises
Military and Police Aid
Security

Ethiopia Spends Very Little Money on Its Military — And It Works

Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Ethiopia has one of the strongest armies in Africa, arguably outmatched only by Egypt, Algeria and South Africa. And these three countries spend far more on their militaries, both in per capita terms and in actual dollars, than Ethiopia.English
Country(s): 
Ethiopia
Author(s): 
Robert Beckhusen
Publisher / Source: 
War Is Boring
Tag(s): 
Military
Security

U.S. Needs to Shake up Military Approach to Boko Haram, New Study Says

Wednesday, March 11, 2015
The report, “Rethinking the U.S. Approach to Boko Haram,” was released by CNA Corp., a Washington-area think tank, on Tuesday. It was requested by U.S. Naval Forces Africa as it developed a supporting plan to U.S. Africa Command’s regional vision for the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa, CNA officials said.English
Country(s): 
Nigeria
Author(s): 
Dan Lamothe
Publisher / Source: 
The Washington Post
Tag(s): 
Terrorism
Military Operations

Five Ways to Stay in Power in Central Asia

Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are both expected to re-elect their leaders this spring. Few will be surprised if Nursultan Nazarbayev keeps his job in Kazakhstan - though he's yet to announce he is running again - or if Islam Karimov stays president in Uzbekistan. Both have been in charge since Soviet times and are two of the longest serving leaders in the world. English
Country(s): 
Central Asia Regional
Author(s): 
Abdujalil Abdurasulov
Publisher / Source: 
BBC

Super Commission to Advise Santos During ‘Definitive Phase’ of Colombia Peace Talks

Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos will leave a transfer power to a broad commission of Colombian political, business, military and labor leaders who will be advising the head of state during the “definite phase” of peace talks with rebel group FARC.English
Country(s): 
Colombia
Author(s): 
Adriaan Alsema
Publisher / Source: 
Colombia Reports
Tag(s): 
Conflict
Peace Negotiations

Venezuelan Spy Chief Banned by Obama Named as Interior Minister

Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro responded to new U.S. sanctions against his government by promoting a general accused of repressing protesters to head the ministry responsible for national securityEnglish
Country(s): 
Venezuela
Author(s): 
Anatoly Kurmanaev
Publisher / Source: 
Stars and Stripes
Wire Service: 
Bloomberg
Tag(s): 
Sanctions
Security

Lawmakers Push White House to Lend Drones to Jordan

Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Members of Congress are pushing the Obama administration to embrace a plan to lend older-model, surplus drones to Jordan for the fight against the Islamic State extremist group. In a Republican-led letter to the White House, 23 House members said Monday that Jordan should be allowed to borrow U.S. Air Force-owned MQ-1 Predator drones.English
Country(s): 
Jordan
Author(s): 
Julian E. Barnes
Publisher / Source: 
The Wall Street Journal
Tag(s): 
Drones
Conflict

WOLA Joins Group Lawsuit Against NSA

Wednesday, March 11, 2015
The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) joined American Civil Liberties Association (ACLU) and other civil society voices in the United States in challenging the National Security Agency’s (NSA) use of so-called “upstream” data collection techniques, which involve the mass surveillance of global internet communications. This practice directly affects WOLA’s ability to communicate effectively with its contacts and partners throughout the Americas.English
Country(s): 
Central America Regional
Publisher / Source: 
WOLA
Tag(s): 
Security
Intelligence

What the Oil Price Plummet Means for Aid to Africa

Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Since March 2014, the price of oil has fallen from about $90 a barrel to just over $45, and the story about sub-Saharan Africa’s energy development future has changed with it.English
Country(s): 
Africa Regional
Author(s): 
Michael Igoe
Publisher / Source: 
Devex
Tag(s): 
Foreign Aid

Uruguayan Defense Minister Creates National Computer Security Incident Response Center

Wednesday, March 11, 2015
The Defense Minister of Uruguay is preparing to strengthen the country against cyber attacks by creating the National Computer Security Incident Response Center (CERTUY). The center aims to protect everything from databases to the country’s satellites. It also will work with domestic and international organizations to strengthen the security of Uruguay’s information technology.English
Country(s): 
Uruguay
Author(s): 
Julieta Pelcastre
Publisher / Source: 
Dialogo Americas
Tag(s): 
Security

Tajikistan Says Detained Woman Who Planned To Join IS In Syria

Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Tajik police say they have detained a 25-year-old woman who was allegedly planning to take a bus from Turkey to Syria to join Islamic State militantsEnglish
Country(s): 
Tajikistan
Publisher / Source: 
Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty
Tag(s): 
Terrorism

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