PUBLICATIONS
REPORT
May 12, 2021
The Saudi Lobby in 2020
by Ben Freeman
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.
ISSUE BRIEF
May 4, 2021
Executive Excess: CEO Compensation in the Arms Industry, 2020
by William D. Hartung and Leila Riazi
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
AP WEEKLY MONITOR
May 4, 2021
U.S. Africa Policy Monitor May 4, 2021
Africa Program
This weeks 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!
AP WEEKLY MONITOR
April 27, 2021
U.S. Africa Policy Monitor April 27, 2021
Africa Program
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.
FACTSHEET
April 26, 2021
U.S. Security Assistance to the Balkans
by Diellë Duga
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.
ISSUE BRIEF
April 22, 2021
U.S. Security Assistance in the Sahel
by Elias Yousif and Nani Detti
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.
REPORT
April 22, 2021
The Taiwan Lobby
by Holly Zhang and Ben Freeman
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.
AP WEEKLY MONITOR
April 20, 2021
U.S. Africa Policy Monitor April 20, 2021
Africa Program
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.
ISSUE BRIEF
April 15, 2021
Transferring Arms to the UAE is not in U.S. Security Interests
by William Hartung
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.
ISSUE BRIEF
April 14, 2021
Recent Proposals to Amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act: A Survey
by Ben Freeman, Brian Steiner, and Tarun Krishnakumar
This Policy Brief surveys recent proposals to amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act to identify key trends and areas of focus.
