ISSUE BRIEF - Toward a Framework for Transatlantic Cooperation on Non-State Armed Groups

The Center honors General Brent Scowcroft’s legacy of 1 For this paper, the authors have utilized a definition from the International Committee of the Red service and embodies his ethos of Cross (ICRC) to conceptualize NSAGs, in keeping with the Atlantic Council’s The Transatlantic Security nonpartisan commitment to the cause Initiative, in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security “Rethinkin. [...] Maintaining a substantial presence in the Sahel, US and European governments have However, the evolving conflict landscape reflects the reality dedicated significant amounts of funding to counterterrorism that all actors do not fit neatly into the expectations and struc- in the Sahel and provide security assistance to the G5 Sahel tures of traditional notions of governance—creating a false joint f. [...] The United States has provided intelligence and dichotomy between the state and informal actors.49 These logistical support to France’s security operation, and supports conceptions fail to respond to current political and gover- the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership to provide se- nance trends in the Sahel. [...] Source: REUTERS/Emmanuel Braun approach that one of us has detailed in other writing.59 This protection; and third, the extent to which the actor’s political approach suggests that the United States and its European values and agenda resonate with the local community.62 To allies use the following four criteria to determine which NSAGs inform these selections, the United States and Europe should t. [...] Thus, it is critical to address the change and political transformation, the United States and political dimension of the conflict and the role of the govern- Europe should increase investment in foreign assistance ment in these dynamics.