U.S. security sector assistance in Africa has a mixed record, according to new RAND research. During the Cold War, for example, this support was associated with an increase in civil wars. But when conducted along with UN peacekeeping operations, security assistance was found to decrease the likelihood of civil wars and insurgencies, terrorist attacks, and government repression. There are changes the United States can make to ensure its security efforts in Africa have an overall more positive impact. Read more »
Countering Terrorist Financing
At the height of its territorial control in 2015, ISIS generated over $6 billion. RAND's Colin Clarke recently testified before Congress to explain how the group amassed its war chest—and how it could finance a renewed campaign of terror. Clarke says it's important to continue tracking how money flows into ISIS-held territory. Read more »