Resources - Policy Statements
This section presents links to what people are saying about U.S. security policy around the world. Select one of the four types of policy statements from the menu at the right to filter the results below.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
President Obama and Colombian President Santos spoke by phone today. The President underscored continued strong U.S. support for the work done so far by the Colombian government to bring an end to the longest running conflict in the Americas and expressed U.S. readiness to work closely with Colombia during the post-conflict period. The President also lauded Colombia’s announcement of September 26 that it would contribute troops to U.N. Peacekeeping. Both leaders committed to continue working closely to promote security and prosperity in the Americas and around the world.English
Country(s):
Colombia
Publisher / Source:
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
What a difference a year makes. In the fall of 2013, Syria dominated the headlines, in part from fear that its spillover would destabilize its neighbors, Iraq first among them. Sadly, those fears proved prophetic. Sparks from Syria, in the form of the Salafi terrorist group calling itself the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), helped reignite the Iraqi civil war. And the implosion of Iraq has pulled the Syrian conflict which triggered it back into the spotlight of America’s foreign policy debate.
Yet throughout that year, the notion of increased American involvement, and in particular, ramped up assistance to the Syrian opposition was effectively off the table. The Administration and most of its critics regularly scoffed at the idea. Now, thanks to the crisis in Iraq and the belated recognition that spillover from Syria is an important element of the problems there, what was once ridiculed is now policy.
In his speech to the nation in September 2014, President Obama finally pledged to build a moderate Syrian opposition, one capable of taking on both the Asad regime and Sunni extremist groups like ISIS. Weeks later, the Congress passed bills appropriating $500 million for that mission. As of this writing in early fall 2014, the administration’s plans are not completely clear. Nevertheless, from what has become publicly available, it does appear that Washington has adopted the strategy toward Syria presented in this paper. Consequently, this study should be seen as an effort to explain in greater detail how such a policy should be implemented, why it makes sense for the United States, and why it is a reasonable (perhaps even necessary) move by the U.S. government.
Country(s):
Iraq
Syria
Publisher / Source:
Video, Audio or PDF?:
pdf
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
The airstrikes and other actions President Obama is taking against Islamic State deserve bipartisan support. They are beginning to degrade the terrorist group, also known as ISIS, but will not destroy it, for one reason above all: The administration still has no effective policy to remove Bashar Assad from power and end the conflict in Syria.English
Country(s):
Iraq
Syria
Publisher / Source:
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
The admission of up to 70,000 refugees to the United States during Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest; provided that this number shall be understood as including persons admitted to the United States during FY 2015 with Federal refugee resettlement assistance under the Amerasian immigrant admissions program, as provided below.
English
Country(s):
Global
Publisher / Source:
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
A newly established Marine Corps task force is intended to improve the Defense Department’s response to crises in the Middle East and South and Central Asia, Pentagon Spokesman Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby announced today.English
Country(s):
Iraq
Publisher / Source:
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Country(s):
Middle East and North Africa Regional
Publisher / Source:
Monday, September 29, 2014
The arbitrary and excessive use of pretrial detention around the world is a massive form of human rights abuse that affects in excess of 14 million people a year. English
Country(s):
Global
Publisher / Source:
Monday, September 29, 2014
On September 17, 2014, the Department of State certified to Congress that the Colombian Government, including its Armed Forces, are meeting statutory criteria related to human rights. This certification, pursuant to Section 7045(a)(2) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2014, permits the full obligation of FY 2014 Foreign Military Financing funds for the Colombian Armed Forces.English
Country(s):
Colombia
Publisher / Source:
Monday, September 29, 2014
The Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) is a U.S. Government-funded security assistance program working to meet the growing global demand for specially trained personnel to conduct international peace operations by building the capabilities of U.S. partner countries to train and sustain peacekeepers; increasing the number of capable military troops and police units available for deployment; and facilitating the preparation, logistical support, and deployment of peacekeepers. GPOI promotes international peace and security, helping to save lives while reducing the burden on U.S. military forces, and furthering post-conflict recovery around the world.English
Country(s):
Global
Publisher / Source:
Monday, September 29, 2014
The United States supports the Syrian people’s struggle for a democratic, inclusive, and unified Syria. The regime of Bashar al-Assad violently suppressed what began as a peaceful protest movement in Dar’a in March 2011, and Assad has proven through his brutal and repressive tactics that he has lost all legitimacy. His continued tenure only fuels extremism and inflames tensions throughout the region.English
Country(s):
Syria
Publisher / Source:
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Last week was a long and momentous one in the presidency of Barack Obama. On Monday, he began a bombing campaign with members of an international coalition against ISIS and other terrorist targets in Syria, while continuing airstrikes in northern Iraq. On Wednesday, he addressed the United Nations and laid out his case in the strongest terms for international action against Muslim extremists. By Thursday, his anti-ISIS coalition had grown to more than 60 members, ranging from the Saudis, Jordanians, Emiratis and Europeans who flew missions, to the Irish and Swedes who wrote checks, to the Bulgarians and Egyptians who wished us well.English
Friday, September 26, 2014
Country(s):
Middle East and North Africa Regional
Publisher / Source:
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
So today I’m happy to announce an additional $40 million in immediate assistance for the opposition, and this includes more than 15 million for communications equipment, vehicles, food, other essential items for the armed opposition, as well as more than 25 million to support the civilian opposition as it works to build the capacity of governing.English
Country(s):
Syria
Monday, September 22, 2014
The following is the Joint Communique on Libya by the governments of Algeria, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union and United Nations.English
Country(s):
Libya
Global
Publisher / Source:
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Policymakers in Congress and the Executive Branch are rightfully focused on addressing the threat posed by the Islamic State. The White House maintains that it already possesses the legal authority for armed conflict against the Islamic State under the 2001 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF). This view is mistaken, and has received a critical reception from legal experts and members of Congress, some of whom have called for a new AUMF. In the past week, several new authorizations have already been proposed.English
Country(s):
Iraq
Syria
Publisher / Source:
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Country(s):
Iraq
Syria
Publisher / Source:
Monday, September 15, 2014
In this week’s address, the President reiterated his comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group ISIL.
His plan brings together a campaign of targeted airstrikes, increased support for Iraqi and Kurdish forces already taking on terrorists, assistance from allies and partners, expanded efforts to train and equip the Syrian opposition, and ongoing humanitarian aid for those displaced by ISIL. The President expressed his immense appreciation for the military men and women who make these efforts possible, and reminded the world that America continues to lead and stand strong against terror.English
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Country(s):
Iraq
Syria
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Country(s):
Iraq
Syria
Publisher / Source:
Secondary Publisher / Source:
Monday, September 8, 2014
We, the Heads of State and Government of the member countries of the North Atlantic Alliance, have gathered in Wales at a pivotal moment in Euro-Atlantic security. Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine have fundamentally challenged our vision of a Europe whole, free, and at peace. Growing instability in our southern neighbourhood, from the Middle East to North Africa, as well as transnational and multi-dimensional threats, are also challenging our security. These can all have long-term consequences for peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic region and stability across the globe.English
Country(s):
Georgia
Azerbaijan
Armenia
Russia
Publisher / Source: