TerrorismAdministration’s $5 billion counterterrorism (CT) fund met with questions, uncertainty
The White House’s proposed $5 billion counterterrorism (CT) fund designed to help U.S. officials train and equip allied countries to eliminate elements of al-Qaeda or organized terrorism. Some lawmakers and officials familiar with the issue are unsure whether the funds would be directed toward Syrian rebels, or distributed among African countries. Others are worried that the program may interfere with other initiatives meant to accomplish similar objectives.
The White House’s proposed $5 billion counterterrorism (CT) fund designed to help U.S. officials train and equip allied countries to eliminate elements of al-Qaeda or organized terrorism. The proposed program is “intended to allow us to more effectively train, equip, advise and assist our allies in our shared fight against terrorism,” said Edward Price, assistant press secretary and strategic communications director for the White House’s National Security Council. The proposed program, however, is facing questions and criticism.
Defense News reports that some lawmakers and officials familiar with the issue are unsure whether the funds would be directed toward Syrian rebels, or distributed among African countries. Others are worried that the program may interfere with other initiatives meant to accomplish similar objectives, as the CT program would be included in the Pentagon’s 2015 overseas contingency operations request (OCO).
“We’re looking at that question,” said Senate Foreign Relations Committeechairman Senator Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey). “We’re also waiting for some briefings to take place. We’ll make that determination then.” “I’ve got to hear the totality of the program to understand what it is,” Menendez said. “In concept, it’s something I support but I’ve got to know the specifics.”
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) insists that the capacity to support American allies in their fight against terrorism already exists. Other senators agree. “We already have … train and equip programs,” said Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Senator James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma).
Critics point to Sections 1206 Security Assistance program, and 1207 Security and Stabilization Assistance program of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2006. “The Section 1206 program was established to build the military capacity of foreign countries to conduct counterterrorism and stabilization operations,” and the 1207 program “was established to transfer DoD funds to state for non-military assistance related to stabilization, reconstruction, and security,” according to the Government Accountability Office(GAO).
White House officials say the program is a result of months of coordination across various levels of departments and agencies. “This program is envisioned to build upon the excellent cooperation between state and defense and would incorporate existing tools and authorities that have proven instrumental in our counterterrorism efforts to date,” said Price. “The charge that it would undermine such coordination is absolutely false.”
The Obama administration has not released specifics on how the proposed $5 billion fund would be distributed among allied countries, but Price warns that it would be “premature to address questions regarding authorities or the mechanics of funding” because the program “remains subject to coordination with Congress.”
Congress will have to decide on the spending request but many on Capitol Hill have already expressed their doubts. “The problem with the theory of a $5 billion fund,” Graham said, “is if you don’t have stable governments, you can’t invest.”
