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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Oman Closes Down Newspaper, Journalists Held: Amnesty International

Thursday, August 11, 2016
Omani authorities have closed down a privately owned newspaper after detaining three of its journalists over its reporting on alleged corruption within the judiciary, an international watchdog said on Wednesday. The report came one day after the Omani government said it had taken unspecified action against a newspaper for insulting the judiciary.English
Country(s): 
Oman
Author(s): 
Sami Aboudi
Tag(s): 
Human Rights
Human Rights

U.S.-Backed Militias in Libya Claim to Retake ISIS Stronghold of Surt

Thursday, August 11, 2016
Pro-government Libyan militias backed by American air power said Wednesday that they had seized the Islamic State’s last stronghold in the country, in the seaside city of Surt. If confirmed, the capture would be a severe blow to the militant organization’s expansion into North Africa, and extend the string of territorial retreats it has suffered this year in Syria and Iraq.English
Country(s): 
Libya
Author(s): 
Rod Nordland
Publisher / Source: 
The New York Times
Tag(s): 
Conflict
Security Assistance

Iraqi Troops Not Ready for Mosul Or What Comes Next, Says Top U.S. Commander

Thursday, August 11, 2016
Few observers seem to doubt U.S. forces can push ISIS out of those cities, but already Iraq watchers worry whether political leaders in Baghdad and Washington are prepared to protect those gains so that in this war, at least, the blood shed by Americans and locals will not be squandered.English
Country(s): 
Iraq
Author(s): 
Kevin Baron
Publisher / Source: 
Defense One
Tag(s): 
Counterterrorism
Governance

Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers Wrap Up Training in Romania

Thursday, August 11, 2016
Saber Guardian is an annual multinational exercise that is part of U.S. European Command's Joint Exercise Program designed to enhance joint combined interoperability with allied and partner nations. Saber Guardian 16 involved more than 2,800 troops from five NATO countries (Bulgaria, Canada, Poland, Romania and the USA) and five Partnership for Peace states (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine) participated in the exercise.English
Country(s): 
Eurasia Regional
Author(s): 
Timothy Jackson
Publisher / Source: 
KTVZ
Tag(s): 
Military Exercises

Saudi Losses in Yemen War Exposed by U.S. Tank Deal

Thursday, August 11, 2016
The U.S. State Department and Pentagon Tuesday OKed a $1.2 billion sale of 153 Abrams tanks to Saudi Arabia Tuesday. But that’s not the real news. Turns out: 20 of those tanks, made in America by General Dynamics Land Systems, are “battle damage replacements” for Saudi tanks lost in combat. English
Country(s): 
Saudi Arabia
Author(s): 
Marcus Weisgerber
Publisher / Source: 
Defense One
Tag(s): 
Arms Sales
Military Equipment

General: U.S. Equipment Captured by Islamic State Was Lost During Gun Battle

Thursday, August 11, 2016
Almost two weeks after several U.S. Special Operations troops were wounded fighting Islamic State militants in eastern Afghanistan, the militant group’s media arm has posted photos of American equipment, including weapons and a radio that, they say, were captured from U.S. soldiers fighting in the same region.English
Country(s): 
Afghanistan
Author(s): 
Thomas Gibbons-Neff
Publisher / Source: 
The Washington Post
Tag(s): 
Military Equipment
Terrorism

U.S. Urges Congo to Allow Rights Activist to Resume Work

Thursday, August 11, 2016
The United States on Wednesday urged the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is cracking down on dissent before elections due in November, to allow a prominent rights activist to continue working in the country. The Congolese government on Tuesday said it had refused to renew the visa of Ida Sawyer, U.S.-based Human Rights Watch's senior researcher in the country.English
Country(s): 
Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)
Author(s): 
Arshad Mohammed
Aaron Ross
Publisher / Source: 
Reuters
Tag(s): 
Human Rights

U.S. Welcomes India's Role in Boosting Afghanistan Military; Pakistan Worried

Thursday, August 11, 2016
While agreeing that Pakistan has raised concerns about India's growing role in Afghanistan, the top commander overseeing American operations in the war-struck country has welcomed New Delhi's participation in strengthening local forces. English
Country(s): 
Pakistan
India
Publisher / Source: 
The Economic Times
Tag(s): 
Military Cooperation

Growing Zambian Air Force Playing a Regional Role

Thursday, August 11, 2016
The year 2016 may be a turning point for the Zambia Air Force. The Air Force will finish taking delivery of six SF-260TW training aircraft, made by the Italian company Alenia-Aermacchi. The Air Force has ordered six Chinese-made L-15 Falcon fighter jets, at a cost of about $100 million. English
Country(s): 
Zambia
Publisher / Source: 
Defence Web
Tag(s): 
Militarization
Security

Not All of the News is Bad

Thursday, August 11, 2016
As the Taliban and ISIS continue to launch attacks across Afghanistan, U.S. and Afghan forces face the daunting task of bringing stability to one of the world’s most volatile countries. The Cipher Brief spoke with Ryan Crocker, former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq, about the current security apparatus in Afghanistan. Despite these attacks, Crocker says that “not all the news is bad” as Afghan forces have repeatedly repelled Taliban advances and that Afghanistan continues to remain a “vital U.S. national security interest.”English
Country(s): 
Afghanistan
Author(s): 
Ryan Crocker
Publisher / Source: 
The Cipher Brief
Tag(s): 
Terrorism
Security Assistance
Military Equipment

South Sudan Accuses UN of Spearheading Regime Change Strategy

Thursday, August 11, 2016
South Sudanese government under the leadership of President Salva Kiir has accused the United Nations of working for regime change in Juba to overthrow the current government. The government reacted angrily to a draft proposal seeking approval of the deployment of 4,000 troops with all military capabilities to provide security and protection in Juba and help in the implementation of the peace agreement in the country.English
Country(s): 
South Sudan
Publisher / Source: 
Sudan Tribune
Tag(s): 
U.N. Peacekeeping
Politics and Security

A Year After Obama’s Visit, Ethiopia is in Turmoil

Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Just a year ago, Ethiopia was basking in the world’s spotlight after a visit from President Obama and global accolades for its decade of double-digit growth and enviable stability in a dangerous region. Since then, however, this country of nearly 100 million has been hit by a widespread drought that has halved growth, and anti-government protests have spread across two of its most populous regions. English
Country(s): 
Ethiopia
Author(s): 
Paul Schemm
Publisher / Source: 
The Washington Post
Tag(s): 
Violence
Human Rights

Somalia President Appeals for Increased Security During Polls

Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Tuesday appealed to the African Union peacekeeping troops and the local security forces to enhance security during the forthcoming elections. Mr Mohamud said the pan African and Somali troops should work to secure the coming parliamentary and presidential elections beginning next month.English
Country(s): 
Somalia
Author(s): 
Xinhua
Publisher / Source: 
Daily Nation (Kenya)
Tag(s): 
Governance
Security

Merging Civil Affairs and Medical Exercises for Long-Term Success

Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Soldiers under the command of Joint Task Force Bravo (JTF-B), Medical Element (MEDEL), executed a medical readiness training exercise for the first time in the village of La Boveda, Trujillo July 28-29, 2016, serving a total of 1,072 patients of all ages during the two-day event that involved key leaders from both JTF-Bravo and Honduras. English
Country(s): 
Honduras
Publisher / Source: 
DVIDS
Tag(s): 
Military Exercises

Sudan Begins Ceasefire Talks After Opposition Signs Roadmap to Peace

Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Talks to secure a lasting ceasefire in Sudan's three war-ravaged regions began on Tuesday, a day after an opposition coalition signed on to a roadmap for ending hostilities and achieving political reconciliation. There has been fighting between the Sudanese army and rebels in the southern regions of Kordofan and Blue Nile since 2011, when adjacent South Sudan declared independence.English
Country(s): 
Sudan
Publisher / Source: 
The East African
Tag(s): 
Conflict
Peace Negotiations

Egypt Bars Police From Talking to the Media

Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Egypt's parliament on Tuesday approved restrictions on the police that will prevent them from providing information to the media, a move that critics saw as an attempt to further cover up high-level abuses and corruption.English
Country(s): 
Egypt
Author(s): 
Mohamed Abdellah
Amina Ismail
Publisher / Source: 
Reuters
Tag(s): 
Corruption
Human Rights

Turkey’s Failed Coup Leaves Military Weakened

Wednesday, August 10, 2016
A massive purge among government servants in the aftermath of a failed coup in Turkey on July 15 is feared to have weakened Turkey’s security apparatus. After the failed putsch, the Turkish government moved quickly to arrest more than 13,000 people and fired over 50,000 government employees.English
Country(s): 
Turkey
Author(s): 
Burak Ege Bekdil
Publisher / Source: 
DefenseNews
Tag(s): 
Politics and Security

Kuwait Orders French Airbus Transport Helicopters in $1.1 Billion Deal

Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Kuwait on Tuesday ordered 30 Airbus Helicopters Caracal military transport helicopters in a deal worth more than €1 billion ($1.1 billion), the latest step in a long-term tie between the Gulf nation and France, the French ministry of defense said.English
Country(s): 
Kuwait
Author(s): 
Pierre Tran
Publisher / Source: 
DefenseNews
Tag(s): 
Arms Sales
Military Equipment

U.S. Special Operations Troops Aiding Libyan Forces in Major Battle Against Islamic State

Wednesday, August 10, 2016
U.S. Special Operations forces are providing direct, on-the-ground support for the first time to fighters battling the Islamic State in Libya, U.S. and Libyan officials said, coordinating American airstrikes and providing intelligence information in an effort to oust the group from a militant stronghold.English
Country(s): 
Libya
Author(s): 
Missy Ryan
Sudarsan Raghavan
Publisher / Source: 
The Washington Post
Tag(s): 
Security Assistance

U.S. Approves $1.15 Billion Sale of Tanks, Equipment to Saudi Arabia

Wednesday, August 10, 2016
The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of more than 130 Abrams battle tanks, 20 armored recovery vehicles and other equipment, worth about $1.15 billion, to Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon said on Tuesday. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which implements foreign arms sales, said that General Dynamics will be the principal contractor for the sale.English
Country(s): 
Saudi Arabia
Author(s): 
Idrees Ali
Publisher / Source: 
Reuters
Tag(s): 
Arms Sales
Security Assistance

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