PUBLICATIONS

This week's U.S. Africa Weekly Monitor delves into the history of Africa Day. Also known as African Liberation Day, Africa Day celebrates the creation of the African Union. The original charter highlights “the inalienable right of all people to control their own destiny.” Learn more in this week’s Africa Policy Monitor!

At every turn, however, the Saudi monarchy has been able to rely on an expansive and entrenched collection of lobbying and public relations firms in the U.S. that have worked to minimize the damage from these transgressions. Despite the best efforts of the Saudi lob- by, it has become increasingly clear that Saudi Arabia has lost the battle for the Beltway and seen its influence in Washington dramatically decline. In response, the Kingdom has done what any monarchy with millions to spend on influence in America might do: shift its influence operations to the states.

Hearing on Waste, Fraud, Cost Overruns and Auditing at the Pentagon: Senate Budget Committee

Our William Hartung, Director of CIP's Arms and Security Program, recently testified at the Senate Hearing on Waste, Fraud, Cost Overruns and Auditing at the Pentagon. "I see four major types of waste in the Pentagon budget, starting with the big picture and moving down into specific examples. The four areas include misguided strategy; purchasing ineffective weapons systems that don’t serve our strategic interests; overpaying for basic items; and maintaining excess overhead." Read his full testimony here.

Israel has been the most significant recipient of U.S. security assistance, with more than $3B allocated annually in recent years. Since FY2001, Israel has received over $63B in security assistance, with over 90% funded by the State Department's Foreign Military Financing program, a grant program that provides money to purchase U.S. armaments.

This week's monitor focuses on the DRC's escalating security threats. Attacks by armed groups and intercommunal fighting has deepened an existing humanitarian and displacement crisis. Read the policy monitor to learn more.

Given public distrust of the U.S. policymaking process, think tanks have a valuable opportunity to take tangible and necessary steps to help reinstill public confidence in the government’s ability to address our nation’s economic, health, environmental, and foreign policy challenges.

On April 9th, the Biden administration announced a proposal for Pentagon spending and related nuclear weapons work at the Department of Energy in excess of $750 billion – three-quarters of a trillion dollars ... These enormous sums for the Pentagon are often justified as necessary to meet the needs
of military personnel, but in fact, roughly half of the Pentagon’s budget is spent on corporations

This week's Africa Policy Monitor captures India's second wave of COVID-19 cases and the repercussions of this for the continent of Africa. The reactive nature of African nations toward this crisis will be imperative to the health and the stability of the region. Find more on how Africa can address this health crisis in this weeks monitor!

This week's US-Africa Policy Monitor focuses on the death of Idriss Déby, Chad's longtime president. The lead item explores the details surrounding his passing, the transfer of power to his son, and what it all means for the future of the Chad.