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Congress Should Cut Military Aid to the Philippines
The Hill, June 2021
In a new opinion piece for The Hill, the Director of CIP’s Arms and Security Project, William Hartung, argues that Congress should take decisive steps to suspend military aid to the Philippines in light of persistent human rights and international humanitarian law abuses by the Filippino security services.
The piece comes a week after lawmakers introduced the Philippine Human Rights Act, which would cut support to the Philippine police and military until the Duterte government investigates and prosecutes security personnel who have violated human rights. The bill would also require the military to remain outside of domestic politics and establishes protection requirements for journalists, human rights defenders, LGBTI activists, and others.
Phillippines security assistance has been under increasing scrutiny since the 2016 election of President Rodrigo Duterte, who has presided over a violent war on drugs that has killed thousands, a harsh crackdown on critics, journalists, and civil society, and a violent counterterror campaign in the country’s south.
To read the full piece, click here.
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Security Assistance News & Research Roundup
News & Blog Post
BBC, June 19
The UN has issued a rare call to halt to arms sales to Myanmar in response to this year’s violent military coup. The General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning the military junta, which overthrew the country’s elected government in February.
The New York Times, June 15
After five months without U.S. airstrikes in Somalia, the Department of Defense is considering sending dozens of Special Forces troops back for a “train and assist” mission to help local forces fight Al-Shabab. The deployment would reverse President Trump’s January withdrawal from the country.
Anadolu Agency, June 13
Despite concerns that the Kenyan Defense Forces are killing civilians in their war against Al-Shabab, the United States has promised more security aid for the East African nation, including U.S. special operations troops, although the “number of troops is not indicated.”
Reuters, June 16
As Lebanon continues to suffer from simultaneous economic and political crises, France and other global powers, such as the United States and Russia, are looking to raise millions of dollars in aid for the country’s depleted security forces.
Military Times, June 15
NATO concerns about the security of the Hamid Karzai airport after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan have led to a potential effort by the Turkish military to secure the position. Turkish President Recep Erdoğan has conditioned this effort on U.S. support and collaboration, which “will be of great importance.”
Press Release, June 15
Representative Susan Wild (D-PA) reintroduced the Philippines Human Rights Act last week, urging the Biden administration to suspend all security assistance to the Philippines until violence stops and accountability measures against perpetrators are implemented.
Defense One, June 16
During the U.S.-Russia meeting last Wednesday, Presidents Biden and Putin agreed to be more communicative about their nuclear stockpiles in “a positive first step” for bilateral relations. The two leaders also discussed Ukraine, cybersecurity, U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and more.
The Wall Street Journal, June 17
The House of Representatives voted 268-161 to repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) as Americans continue to tire of the country’s involvement in the so-called endless wars. Forty-nine Republicans and 219 Democrats voted in favor of the repeal.
Research, Analysis, and Opinion
Time Magazine, June 15
Hadar Susskind argues U.S. government to condition its annual 3.8 billion dollars of military aid to Israel saying that it has become abundantly clear, underscored by recent events in Gaza, that the current relationship neither serves U.S. nor Israeli policy interests.
The War Zone, June 15
Based on data from a recent investigative report published by The Associated Press, between 2010-2019, the U.S. military has lost over 2,000 weapons, many of which may have been “deliberately taken” from military arsenals. While the requirement for the Pentagon to share annual data about stolen or lost weapons with Congress has “lapsed,” members of Congress, such as Senator Richard Blumenthal, want to reinstate it.
SIPRI, June 2021
In their newly released SIPRI Yearbook 2021, SIPRI researchers found that “global nuclear arsenals grow as states continue to modernize,” although the “volume of international arms transfers remained roughly stable” last year even while military spending increased.
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Data Fact of the Week:
Categories of Arms Authorized for Export to the Philippines in 2019
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The graphic above illustrates the types of weapons and arms authorized for export to the Philippines in 2019, including over $56 million in small arms and ammunition.
A new opinion piece by CIP’s William Hartung argues that the U.S. should reconsider its security partnership with the Philippines and the Duterte government.
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From The U.S. Government
State Department
June 15, 2021
Upcoming Congressional Hearings
Foreign Affairs/Relations
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Upcoming Events (All Online)
6/22: Iran’s Pivotal Presidential Election, hosted by the Wilson Center
6/22: Exploring Rules of the Road in Cyber between the US and Russia, hosted by the Belfer Center
6/22: Views from the Ground: Perceptions of Domestic Conditions in MENA, hosted by MEI
6/22-24: 2021 Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference, hosted by Carnegie Endowment
6/23: A Conversation with Iraq’s Planning and Migration Ministers, hosted by USIP
6/23: 100-Day Supply Chain Review: Opportunities for U.S.-Korea Cooperation, hosted by CSIS
6/23: MDA and the 2022 Budget, hosted by CSIS
6/23: Will Biden Deliver on His Promise to End US Complicity in Yemen’s War, hosted by the Quincy Institute
6/24: What Happened on January 6th? Researching the Storming of the Capitol, hosted by New America
6/24: Book Discussion | Transforming Our World: President George H.W. Bush and American Foreign Policy, hosted by the Wilson Center
6/28: Buy American vs. Strategic Autonomy, hosted by CSIS
6/28: EU Defense Washington Forum, hosted by CSIS
6/28: The geopolitics of electricity security in Northeast Europe, hosted by the Atlantic Council
6/28: COVID Crossroads: The Pandemic’s Impact on Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Beyond, hosted by the Pulitzer Center
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