PUBLICATIONS

Over the past decade, U.S. security assistance to the Balkans has surpassed $1 billion. Romania and Bulgaria are the top two Balkan states to receive security assistance, mainly for military modernization, Black Sea maritime domain awareness, and NATO interoperability. Their access to the Black Sea has geostrategic importance for U.S. security concerns over Russia and conflicts in the Middle East. The following top two recipient countries, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Kosovo, have received the most assistance in peacekeeping operations in the region and in Europe since 2000.

This issue brief provides data on U.S. counter-terrorism expenditures in the Sahel through its security assistance program and describes why the current costly and militarized counter-terrorism strategy in the Sahel is failing.

American democracy has continually seen influence domestically from international players pushing their own portfolio of preferences. Taiwan's complicated relationship with China and their uniqueness as a state barring for sovereignty are no exception, in an effort to maintain a democratic stronghold the island of Taiwan lobbies within American borders. In this new report, a full analysis of these lobbying efforts is conducted and synthesized.

This weeks Africa Policy Monitor presents the case of ending sexual violence against women amidst the 12th Annual Report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence to the UN Security Council. The monitor captures the history and the patterns of sexual abuse and violence across the continent as well as a path toward progress.

The Biden administration’s decision to approve a $23 billion package of F-35 combat aircraft, MQ-9 armed drones, and $10 billion in bombs and missiles to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) contradicts its pledge to make human rights and long-term U.S. interests the central factors in deciding which nations to supply with U.S. arms. The UAE is an unreliable partner that has fueled conflict, transferred U.S.-supplied weapons to extremist groups, and inflicted severe human rights abuses on its own population. Its conduct has done more harm than good with respect to U.S. security interests. Whatever pledges the UAE may make regarding its use of the U.S. weapons involved in the current package, the UAE’s record does not inspire confidence that it will abide by them.

This Policy Brief surveys recent proposals to amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act to identify key trends and areas of focus.

The following Situation Tracker looks at the background on the 2017
insurgency in Cabo Delgado, actions from the Mozambican Government, economic and social influence, and the current situation in the country.

This weeks Africa Policy Monitor captures the most current news revolving around The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) dispute. The latest round of talks between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over the GERD broke down recently and awaits for the discovery of some form of common ground over the issues at hand.

Nearly two years have passed since the 2019 Sudanese Revolution led to the removal of then-president Omar al-Bashir. The following Situation Tracker looks at the key actors involved, the role of the military and the current situation in the country.

The Security Assistance Monitor's Latest Arms Sales Trends report find that U.S. foreign military sales (FMS) rose to an astounding $110.9 billion in calendar year 2020, an unprecedented surge in arms offers. The contrast with prior years is stark.