Small Wars Journal

Congress Seeks More Control Over North Africa Counterterror Program

Wed, 11/14/2018 - 6:51am

Congress Seeks More Control Over North Africa Counterterror Program by Bryant Harris - Al-Monitor

The House is set to vote on a bill this week that would formally institutionalize a North African counterterrorism program — and give lawmakers more control over the initiative.

The Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Act, sponsored by House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, directs the Donald Trump administration to coordinate on counterterror programs with several North African and Sahel governments.

The George W. Bush administration formally started the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP) in 2005, but McCaul’s bill makes it permanent. It also exerts greater congressional oversight over the program and pushes the Trump administration to clarify its strategy in the region…

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