{
  "id": "R44995",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "R44995",
  "active": true,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 575092,
      "date": "2017-10-27",
      "retrieved": "2017-11-07T14:15:54.978971",
      "title": "Niger: Frequently Asked Questions About the October 2017 Attack on U.S. Soldiers",
      "summary": "A deadly attack on U.S. soldiers in Niger and their local counterparts on October 4, 2017, has prompted many questions from Members of Congress about the incident. It has also highlighted a range of broader issues for Congress pertaining to oversight and authorization of U.S. military deployments, evolving U.S. global counterterrorism activities and strategy, interagency security assistance and cooperation efforts, and U.S. engagement with countries historically considered peripheral to core U.S. national security interests. This report provides background information in response to the following frequently asked questions:\nWhat is the security situation in Niger?\nHow big is the U.S. military presence in Niger?\nFor what purposes are U.S. military personnel in Niger, and what role has Congress played in the U.S. military presence there?\nIs the U.S. military presence in Niger related to the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF)?\nWhat is the state of U.S.-Niger relations and aid?\nWhere else in Africa are U.S. military personnel deployed?\nMedical evacuation: What is the \u201cgolden hour\u201d and does it apply to troop deployments in Africa?\nWhat are the broader implications of building partner capacity in Niger for DOD?\nWho were the four U.S. soldiers killed in Niger on October 4?\nWhat do we know about the alleged perpetrators of the October 4 attack?\nIt also identifies potential issues for Congress as Members look ahead to ongoing and future authorization, appropriations, and oversight activities. A chronology of terrorist attacks in the Sahel and related developments is provided in an Appendix. Additional details surrounding the October 4 ambush and its aftermath may continue to emerge as information becomes available. \nThe following CRS products provide additional analysis of issues discussed in this report:\nCRS In Focus IF10172, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Related Groups, by Alexis Arieff; \nCRS Report R44563, Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Africa, by Lauren Ploch Blanchard and Alexis Arieff; \nCRS Report R42699, The War Powers Resolution: Concepts and Practice, by Matthew C. Weed;\nCRS Report R43983, 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force: Issues Concerning Its Continued Application, by Matthew C. Weed; \nCRS Report R44313, What Is \u201cBuilding Partner Capacity?\u201d Issues for Congress, coordinated by Kathleen J. McInnis; \nCRS Report R44602, DOD Security Cooperation: An Overview of Authorities and Issues, by Bolko J. Skorupski and Nina M. Serafino; \nCRS Report RS21048, U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress, by Andrew Feickert.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": true,
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      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4837,
          "name": "Defense Authorization"
        },
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4878,
          "name": "International Terrorism, Trafficking, & Crime"
        },
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4879,
          "name": "Sub-Saharan Africa"
        },
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4903,
          "name": "Strategy, Operations, & Emerging Threats"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "African Affairs",
    "Appropriations",
    "Foreign Affairs",
    "Health Policy",
    "Intelligence and National Security",
    "National Defense"
  ]
}