Steve Peacock's U.S. Trade & Aid Monitor

Hearing: Al-Qaeda’s Resurgence in Iraq: A Threat to U.S. Interests [?] (Commentary)

Thus far there is just one "witness" scheduled to testify Wednesday (2/5/14) at the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, which is titled "Al-Qaeda’s Resurgence in Iraq: A Threat to U.S. Interests."

Mr. Brett McGurk, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iraq and Iran from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, apparently is going to help sort out the situation for this critical committee.

Upon reading the hearing title, unconsciously I released a barely audible “Uh-oh,” wondering where such a hearing might lead us.

While it is too early to make assumptions about the direction of U.S. policy on Iraq, I could not help but wonder if there are people in the federal government who might seek to step up U.S. involvement there.

Even though it is unlikely the Obama administration will re-deploy troops, you can bet that billions in awards to private contractors will (continue to) flow, if not magnify.

Committee Chairman Royce’s statement on the hearing:

Al-Qaeda controls more territory today than it ever has before, and much of that is in western Iraq where it has recently captured significant cities.  These terrorists continue to exploit sectarian conflicts that the Iraqi government has failed to resolve, and Iraq is now on the verge of civil war.  Our hearing will examine al-Qaeda's resurgence in Iraq and its threat to regional and global security.

That reminds me: I’ve been meaning to finally buy a copy of We Meant Well:  How I Helped Lose the Battle for the Hearts and Minds of the Iraqi People by Peter Van Buren. Why? Check out Van Buren’s blog description of the book:

From a State Department insider, the first book recounting our misguided efforts to rebuild Iraq—a shocking and rollicking true-life cross between Catch-22, Dispatches and The Ugly American.

Charged with rebuilding Iraq, would you spend taxpayer money on a sports mural in Baghdad’s most dangerous neighborhood to promote reconciliation through art? How about an isolated milk factory that cannot get its milk to market? Or a pastry class training women to open cafés on bombed-out streets without water or electricity?

The committee hearing is slated for 10 a.m. in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Interested citizens also may catch it via webcast.

Steve Peacock Interview with Talk-Show Host Peter Boyles

Steve Peacock from his home office speaking with Denver radio talk-show host Peter Boyles.

Today I was tracked down by Denver radio talk-show host Peter Boyles (710KNUS), who took note of my reporting primarily via WND on the issues of drones -- unmanned aerial systems -- and other forms of electronic surveillance. We spoke for nearly 20 minutes about some of the following articles, while Mr. Boyles also allowed me to briefly pitch my website U.S. Trade & Aid Monitor and talk about my background as a Capitol Hill reporter covering the final years of the Clinton Administration through the start of the George W. Bush Administration.

Many thanks to Mr. Boyles for this amazing opportunity. He expressed a strong desire to have me return as a guest on his show, to which I am very much looking forward. -- S.P.

• Obama deploying drones around U.S. -- Contracts show units to be used to enforce regulations (WND; July 21, 2013)

• Media Ignored Big Picture of NSA Surveillance, Focused on Jobs (Patriot Update; June 27, 2013

• Drone training anyone? Army ramping up plans -- Subjects include 'search for targets, ' record details for analysis (WND; June 28, 2013)

• Feds recruit private sector to expand drone use -- Seek traffic control experts to launch more spy planes over U.S. airspace (WND; July 8, 2012)

Is There an African Resource Curse? (Subcommittee Hearing)

The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations on Thursday (July 18) will hold a hearing titled "Is There an African Resource Curse?"

Scheduled witnesses are:

1) Corinna Gilfillan, Director, Global Witness, USA.

The mission of Global Witness, according to its "Our Work" page at GlobalWitness.com:

For 19 years, Global Witness has run pioneering campaigns against natural resource-related conflict and corruption and associated environmental and human rights abuses. From Cambodia to Congo, Sierra Leone to Angola, we have exposed the brutality and injustice that results from the fight to access and control natural resource wealth, and have sought to bring the perpetrators of this corruption and conflict to book.

Our work has revealed how, rather than benefiting a country’s citizens, abundant timber, diamonds, minerals, oil and other natural resources can incentivise corruption, destabilise governments, and lead to war. Through our investigations, advocacy and campaigning, we seek solutions to the ‘resource curse’ so that citizens of resource-rich countries can get a fair share of their country’s wealth.

2) Mohammed Amin Adam, Executive Director, Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP).

ACEP describes itself as an:

African energy policy think tank, an advisory based organization working with partners around the World and especially in Africa to harness the potential of Africa’s vast energy resources (oil, gas and renewable) for the accelerated development of the Continent. The Centre recently added mineral policy to its portfolio following the demand by stakeholders to expand our reach to helping address the problems facing Africa’s mining sector.

3) Anquan Boldin, Ambassador, Oxfam America.

Oxfam America, according to its website, is a:

global organization working to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger, and injustice. We save lives, develop long-term solutions to poverty, and campaign for social change. As one of 17 members of the international Oxfam confederation, we work with people in more than 90 countries to create lasting solutions.

Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ) is subcommitte chairman. Rep. Karen Bass (Calif.) is the Ranking Democrat.

The hearing will be held at 2200 House Rayburn Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 at 2 p.m. The hearing is also will be made available via webcast.

WND: Scandal-plagued HSBC shopped Congress for favors

Check out Scandal-plagued HSBC shopped Congress for favors -- No officials offer to return bank's blood money," my latest from WND.  The WND piece sheds light on the big picture of HSBC's effortful attempts to influence of Congress over the years, which took place while the bank largely turned a blind eye to drug-cartel and terrorist money flowing through its vaults. A separate article I wrote for The Revered Review -- Federal Lawmakers Silent on Tainted HSBC Funds -- Will Sen. Menendez, Rep. Garrett return "blood money"?" -- hits closer to home for me, as it centers upon my elected officials here in New Jersey, and how they likewise raked in dollars from HSBC while leading congressional subcomittees tasked with overseing the banking industry.

Hearing: “U.S. Engagement in Central Asia” (July 24)

 

“U.S. Engagement  in Central Asia” will be the focus of tomorrow’s (July 24) hearing of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia. The panel, chaired by Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.), will meet at 2 p.m. in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. The hearing also will be avaialable live via online video stream

Scheduled witnesses include:

• The Honorable Robert O. Blake
  Assistant Secretary
  Bureau of Central and South Asian Affairs
  U.S. Department of State
  
  The Honorable Ross Wilson
  Director
  Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center
  Atlantic Council
  
  Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
  Research Fellow
  The Kathryn and Shelby Cullom
  Davis Institute for International Studies
  The Heritage Foundation
  
  The Honorable S. Enders Wimbush
  Senior Director for Foreign Policy and Civil Society
  The German Marshall Fund of the United States

WND: Cash Flows for 'Madrassa' Lawmaker

Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.)

Check out my latest article for WND, "Cash flows for 'madrassa' lawmaker -- Contributors include Obama appointee as U.S. Marshal." For all it's worth, I spent two days researching and writing this piece, which reveals a surprising connection between a shady congressman and a high -ranking law enforcement official appointed by President Obama. Specific to U.S. Trade & Aid Monitor, the piece is quite relevant since the elected official in question,  Rep. Andre Carson, serves on powerful congressional panels having great influence upon -- and which are greatly influenced by -- cash-rich international corporations and unions seeking political favors.

U. S. Marshal Kerry Forestal

House Panel Tackling State Dept., Foreign Ops Bill This Morning

The House Appropriations Committee this morning is marking up the FY2013 State, Foreign Operations, and Other Programs bill. Some cuts are proposed, and yet much stays the same.  The so-called Drug War, to cite one example, will continue unabated, as the following committee statement indicates:

The Committee recommendation restores reductions proposed in the request for key countries in Latin America. The Committee believes it is critical to continue robust support for counternarcotics and law enforcement efforts, as well as assistance for rule of law and judicial reform activities in Mexico, Colombia, Central America, and the Caribbean to fight drug trafficking and violent crime before it reaches the borders of the United States. The security and stability of these neighbors directly affects the United States.

Taking away opportunities for the murderous drug lords across the hemisphere (i.e.: decriminalization of drugs) is not an option on the table. More multi-billion counternarcotics operations contracts on the horizon.

To view the hearing, go to the committee website.

House Panel to Mark-Up State & Foreign Ops Appropriations Bill; Battle Brewing with Obama Over State Dept., USAID Budgets

The House Appropriations State & Foreign Operations Subcommittee tomorrow (May 9) has scheduled a mark-up of the fiscal year 2013 funding bill.

"The bill totals $40.1 billion in regular discretionary funding, which is $2 billion or 5% below last year’s level," the full committee said in a statement. "The bill also includes $8.2 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terror (OCO/GWOT) funding, which will adequately provide for continued U.S. involvement in front-line countries and other war-related efforts. In total, including war funding, the bill is $5 billion – or 9% – below fiscal year 2012."

Among various anticipated battlegrounds between Congress and the White House are several proposed budgetary items that are significantly lower than the Obama Administration has requested.

For instance:

The bill contains a total of $12.9 billion in discretionary funding for operational costs of the State Department and related agencies – a decrease of $433 million below last year’s level and $1.5 billion below the President’s request.

Likewise:

The bill contains $1.2 billion for USAID – a reduction of $73 million from last year’s level and $252.5 million below the President’s request. An additional $258 million in OCO/GWOT funding is provided to cover costs of USAID operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

The panel in the meantime has made the bill publicly available online. A full committee summary likewise is available.

U.S. Trade & Aid Monitor later today will offer its own summary of the legislation.

Hearing: “Emerging Threats and Security in the Western Hemisphere: Next Steps for U.S. Policy.”

The House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday, October 13, will host a hearing titled, “Emerging Threats and Security in the Western Hemisphere: Next Steps for U.S. Policy.” The committee announced that it will examine “current trends and security challenges in Latin America, including drug trafficking, extremism, illicit financing, and the increasing influence of rogue regimes.” It will review U.S. security assistance and policy in Latin America and the Caribbean, and U.S. priorities in the region.

The following witnesses have been called to testify:

1) The Honorable William R. Brownfield, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. Department of State;

2) The Honorable Philip S. Goldberg, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Intelligence and Research, U.S. Department of State;

3) The Honorable Daniel L. Glaser, Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing, Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, U.S. Department of Treasury;

4) General Douglas Fraser (Invited), Commander, U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Department of Defense.

The event will be held in room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC, and also will be available via live video through the committee’s website.

OECD to Obama: Propagandize U.S. Citizens into Supporting Global Aid Projects

The United States should launch a heightened domestic propaganda campaign in order to gain support at home for its role in providing global aid, the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) today recommended.

Though it did not use the term "propaganda," OECD indeed exhorted the Obama Adminstration to endeavor to gain domestic support for overseas aid programs. The report therefore recommended that the U.S. government do a better job at molding public perception of international assistance, an effort that the report characterized as carrying out “more targeted efforts to communicate results.”

The US has a vibrant and generous civil society made up of a wide range of coalitions, which include think tanks, NGOs, foundations, and the private sector. These are instrumental both in advocating and raising public awareness for development and in implementing the aid programme.

The White House can accomplish this by “engaging more strategically” with the American public, according to OECD.

The U.S. is a “generous donor” and is “committed to making aid more effective,” OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) acknowledged in the report “Review of the Development Co-operation Policies and Programs of the United States.” However, the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act, which contains “140 broad priorities and 400 specific directives for implementing the priorities,” serves as an impediment to the development of coherent strategy for global assistance.

In order to address this flaw in the law, the U.S. Congress needs to “give the Administration greater flexibility in how it conducts its development programmes and accounts, within the funding levels determined by Congress,” according to the OECD report.

Similarly, the Administration should decrease its reliance on U.S. contractors to carry out global aid projects, while also developing contractor and U.S. military partnerships to heighten the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian operations, it said. 

Among other recommendations, the group urged U.S. lawmakers to streamline its international aid process, pointing out that dozens of different agencies currently carry out those duties:

Out of the 27 entities involved in US development co-operation, USAID and the State Department are the two key drivers of the system. Four other entities are of specific importance: the departments of health and human services, defense, and treasury; and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). In 2006, the US Administration launched a set of reforms which strengthened collaboration between the State Department and USAID for strategic programming, budgeting and reporting. However, this reform did not apply to the other 25 US agencies.

The report additionally suggests bolstering the capabilities of USAID, for which it recommends strengthening staffing levels in order to reduce the agency’s reliance on outsourcing projects to contractors.