CiR2P

CiR2P Option 21 | Withdraw military cooperation

DISCUSSION:

Withdrawing military cooperation programs with a target country can elicit behavioural change, particularly if the country is highly dependent on external defense programs for its security.

The US has formal Security Cooperation programs with 36 countries: Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, India, Indonesia, Israel, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Nigeria, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, five Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; and three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

US government-to-government programs operating under the Foreign Military Sales system include the export of missiles and missile systems, early warning radar, fighter aircraft and helicopters, patrol boats, and accompanying facility construction and extended munitions, logistics, training support and technical assistance, and repair and return programs.  

The Direct Commercial Sales program delivers military electronics, fire control/night vision, aircraft and aerial refuelling tankers, and special operations training. The Excess Defence Articles program provides equipment including weapons, spare parts, and simulators. In addition, the US also participates in a variety of exchanges including military exercises, joint research, and weapons development. Cooperation can also extend to include permitting US access to naval ports, terrestrial bases, and airspace.

Clearly some of these acquisitions could be reappropriated for use in disaster response and environmental emergences.

US Security Cooperation programs also deliver specifically for this task. For example, US security programs with Bangladesh includes funding for marine assets, joint training exercises and exchanges, and support for training, equipment, and facilities upgrades, to enhance Bangladesh’s humanitarian assistance and disaster response capabilities.

Withdrawing lifesaving equipment should be avoided.