U.S. Policy
Thursday, March 12, 2015 - 07:29
The White House on Monday announced the imposition of new sanctions on various Venezuelan officials, pronouncing itself “deeply concerned by the Venezuelan government’s efforts to escalate intimidation of its political opponents”: deeply concerned. President Obama also, reportedly with a straight face, officially declared that Venezuela poses “an extraordinary threat to the national security” of the U.S. — a declaration necessary to legally justify the sanctions.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015 - 06:59
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.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015 - 14:10
Last December, the Latin America Working Group Education Fund (LAWGEF) and Center for International Policy (CIP) traveled to Honduras for a first-hand look. What we found was a security situation in shambles and a country in dire need of reform. We have compiled our findings into this report which paints a picture of the most alarming issues facing Honduras today, including mass migration, the disturbing and highly visible militarization of law enforcement, grave threats against human rights defenders, and a lack of an effective and independent justice system. The report also examines the role U.S. assistance has played, and can play, in the plight of the Honduran people.
Monday, March 9, 2015 - 07:06
President Ghani and his team have a major task ahead of them reversing the damaged relationship between the two countries and rebuilding goodwill in the United States. Besides repairing the damaged relationship, the Afghan delegation should try to secure long-term economic assistance and security guarantees from the United States.
Monday, March 9, 2015 - 06:40
The United States government expanded its list of sanctions against Venezuelan officials, accusing them of having violated human rights, during violent street protests, in Caracas last year. Due to the severity of these sanctions, relations between the United States and Venezuela have deteriorated further to a new level of hostility. However, at the same time, China has been generously co-signing financial transactions with the Venezuelan government including the borrowing of billions of dollars in exchange for future trade advantages
Monday, March 9, 2015 - 06:26
Azerbaijan is a key American partner that “can play an important role in assisting our allies like Ukraine with energy security by allowing them to depend less on Vladimir Putin and Russia for their energy supply,” said U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015 - 07:36
The Afghan Army lost more than 20,000 fighters and others last year largely because of desertions, discharges and deaths in combat, according to figures to be released Tuesday, casting further doubt on Afghanistan’s ability to maintain security without help from United States-led coalition forces.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015 - 06:57
While U.S. laws explicitly prohibit the delivery of aid to foreign individuals and units implicated in systematic human rights violations, internal reporting on the implementation of Mérida programs reveals that institutional connections to organized crime are consistently overlooked, ignored or kept hidden from public scrutiny as counter-drug money continues to flow.
Monday, March 2, 2015 - 08:04
Vice President Biden is traveling today to Guatemala to meet with the presidents of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador to discuss how the United States can help assist these governments in addressing epidemic levels of violence, poor governance, and lack of economic opportunities driving migration from the region.
Monday, March 2, 2015 - 07:25
Cuba’s spot on the American list of states that sponsor terrorism is emerging as a major sticking point in the effort to restore diplomatic ties with the United States and reopen embassies that have been closed for nearly five decades.