Pentagon rethinks how to protect diplomats, aid workers in Mideast war zones

The Pentagon is pushing Congress for more authority to provide security to diplomats and aid workers in conflict zones, a move that could allow US aid to penetrate deeper into war zones in the Middle East such as Yemen.

As part of the Donald Trump administration’s revamped defense strategy, the Defense Department’s office for special operations and low-intensity conflict is spearheading legislation that “will give DoD the authorities to kick-start State and USAID-run stabilization initiatives in otherwise unreachable areas,” said Mick Mulroy, who until last month was the Defense Department’s top Middle East official.

Undersecretary for Defense John Rood, the Pentagon’s number three official, submitted the proposal that would allow the agency to provide as much as $25 million in logistical support and services to support the State Department and USAID’s stabilization efforts, a defense spokesperson told Al-Monitor.

The move comes as the Pentagon revamped its stabilization policy late last year to emphasize establishing security with a limited footprint of American forces working through indigenous and external partners, the spokesperson said.