{
  "id": "R43727",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "R43727",
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  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
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      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 442200,
      "date": "2015-06-09",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-06T18:58:01.848975",
      "title": "Train and Equip Program for Syria: Authorities, Funding, and Issues for Congress",
      "summary": "In 2014, Congress for the first time provided the President with authority and funds to overtly train and lethally equip vetted members of the Syrian opposition for select purposes. These purposes include supporting U.S. efforts to combat the Islamic State and other terrorist organizations in Syria and setting the conditions for a negotiated settlement to Syria\u2019s civil war. The FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA, P.L. 113-291) and the FY2015 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (P.L. 113-235) provided that up to $500 million could be transferred from the newly-established Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund (CTPF) to train and equip such Syrian forces. Additional funding could be provided from other sources for the Syrian Train and Equip Program, including from foreign contributions, subject to the approval of the congressional defense committees. \nAs of June 2015, the defense committees have approved the transfer of $500 million in FY2015 CTPF funds for the program and an additional $80 million in Defense Working Capital Funds for related U.S. government operations. Several hundred U.S. military training personnel and a similar number of support personnel have deployed in support of the program. According to Administration officials, the intention is for the program to field a force of approximately 3,000 vetted Syrians in 2015 and 5,400 others per year in 2016 and, if authorized, in 2017. The authority provided in the FY2015 NDAA expires after December 31, 2016.\nIn FY2016, the Administration is requesting $600 million in a new, separate Syria Train and Equip account that, if authorized and appropriated as requested, would not require advance notification and approval by the four defense committees. \nCurrent debate over the program\u2014as expressed in congressional consideration of proposed FY2016 defense authorization and appropriations legislation (H.R. 2685, H.R. 1735, S. 1376) centers on:\nThe amounts, alignment, and terms associated with FY2016 funding for the program.\nThe extent and type of U.S. support or protection, if any, that may be provided to Syrian trainees upon their return to Syria, especially in the event of attack by pro-Asad or other forces in Syria.\nThe size, scope, and effectiveness of the Syria Train and Equip Program as currently implemented; its purposes relative to overarching U.S. strategy toward Syria; and its integration with U.S.-led coalition efforts to combat the Islamic State organization.\nThe content and scope of requested strategy and reporting requirements.\nFor more information on the Islamic State crisis and U.S. policy, see CRS Report R43612, The \u201cIslamic State\u201d Crisis and U.S. Policy, by Christopher M. Blanchard et al., and CRS Report RL33487, Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response, coordinated by Christopher M. Blanchard. For analysis of proposals related to the Authorization for the Use of Military Force relative to the Islamic State, see CRS Report R43760, A New Authorization for Use of Military Force Against the Islamic State: Issues and Current Proposals in Brief, by Matthew C. Weed.",
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    },
    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc820661/",
      "id": "R43727_2015Jan09",
      "date": "2015-01-09",
      "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26",
      "title": "Train and Equip Authorities for Syria: In Brief",
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      "type": "CRS Report",
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    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc501886/",
      "id": "R43727_2014Dec03",
      "date": "2014-12-03",
      "retrieved": "2015-03-30T22:03:27",
      "title": "Proposed Train and Equip Authorities for Syria: In Brief",
      "summary": "This report reviews the authority granted in H.J.Res. 124 and explores similarities and differences among the H.J.Res. 124 authority, the President's requests, and other proposals that may be considered by Congress, including during anticipated consideration of FY2015 full-year appropriations or defense authorization (H.R. 4435/S. 2410) legislation.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
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          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Appropriations",
          "name": "Appropriations"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Foreign policy and Congress",
          "name": "Foreign policy and Congress"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Syria",
          "name": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Syria"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc491440/",
      "id": "R43727_2014Oct27",
      "date": "2014-10-27",
      "retrieved": "2015-01-27T19:40:46",
      "title": "Proposed Train and Equip Authorities for Syria: In Brief",
      "summary": "This report reviews the authority granted in H.J.Res. 124 and explores similarities and differences among the H.J.Res. 124 authority, the President's requests, and other proposals that may be considered by Congress, including during anticipated consideration of FY2015 full-year appropriations or defense authorization (H.R. 4435/S. 2410) legislation.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
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      "topics": [
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          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Appropriations",
          "name": "Appropriations"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Foreign policy and Congress",
          "name": "Foreign policy and Congress"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Syria",
          "name": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Syria"
        }
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    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc463131/",
      "id": "R43727_2014Sep16",
      "date": "2014-09-16",
      "retrieved": "2014-12-05T09:57:41",
      "title": "Proposed Train and Equip Authorities for Syria: In Brief",
      "summary": "This report presents the President's requests for authority and funding for the Department of Defense to provide overt assistance, including possible military training and weapons, to vetted members of the Syrian opposition and other vetted Syrians for select purposes are the subject of close congressional consideration.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
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          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Executive power",
          "name": "Executive power"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Defense policy",
          "name": "Defense policy"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Foreign policy",
          "name": "Foreign policy"
        },
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          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Military assistance",
          "name": "Military assistance"
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  ],
  "topics": [
    "Appropriations",
    "Foreign Affairs",
    "Intelligence and National Security",
    "National Defense"
  ]
}