International Military Education and Training

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

International Military Education and Training (IMET) is the title of a United States security assistance program, a type of student exchange program.

History[edit]

Congress established the IMET program in the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976 (Pub. L. No. 94-329, June 30, 1976), which amended the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (Pub. L. No. 87-195, Sept. 4, 1961).[1] The policies underlying this program are directed by the United States Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs[2] and the constituent projects are administered by the United States Department of Defense.[3]

Mission[edit]

The mission of the IMET is to enhance regional stability through mutually beneficial military-to-military relations.[4][5]

Projects under the program include, but are not limited to, invitations for officers from foreign countries to attend various military schools in the United States, such as the U.S. Army War College or the National Defense University, as well as providing funding for trainers to travel to foreign countries to provide specific, localized training. Topics of instruction are varied and range from English language classes to familiarization training with human rights concepts and the law of war. A complete list of topics varies by year, and may encompass several hundred distinct courses.[6]

Operations[edit]

In December 2019, the Department of Defense had 5,181 foreign students from 153 countries for security training.[7] Saudi Arabia was restricted due to the Naval Air Station Pensacola shooting.[8] Following Pakistan's suspension

Afghanistan[edit]

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the United States spent approximately $26 million for IMET for Afghan National Security Forces between 2002 and 2020.[9][10][11]

Pakistan[edit]

Pakistan Army officers have been trained through the IMET program since the early1960s and since the September 11 attacks after briefly being suspended in the 1990s.[12]

In September 2017, the Trump administration announced that it would suspend Pakistan's participation in the IMET program to pressure it to crack down on Islamist militants in the region. Pakistan's participation was suspended in August 2018.[13][12] In December 2019, a State Department spokesperson announced that Washington "has approved the resumption of the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program."[14][15] However, the training program has not yet been restored due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan and other reasons.

Criticism[edit]

The IMET program has been criticized for failing to sufficiently emphasize military professionalism, civilian control of militaries and the importance of democracy and human rights in its admission processes and curriculum.[16]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "International Military Education and Training - Agencies Should Emphasize Human Rights Training and Improve Evaluations" (PDF). U.S. Government Accountability Office. October 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Security Assistance Team". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  3. ^ "DSCA -- FAQs". Archived from the original on 2009-08-19. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
  4. ^ "International Military Education and Training". Archived from the original on 2020-01-02. Retrieved 2020-01-03.
  5. ^ Sokou, Katerina (2019-12-28). "East Med Act a milestone in US foreign policy". www.ekathimerini.com. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  6. ^ "FY 2009 Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  7. ^ Cohen, Zachary; Starr, Barbara (6 December 2019). "Here is what we know about the US military's program to train foreign troops". CNN. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  8. ^ Mazzei, Patricia; Schmitt, Eric (2019-12-10). "Pentagon Restricts Training for Saudi Military Students". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  9. ^ Tian, Dr. Nan (2021-09-22). "20 years of US military aid to Afghanistan | SIPRI". www.sipri.org. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  10. ^ Quarterly Report to the United States Congress 2021-QR-3 (PDF). Arlington, Virginia: U.S. Government. 30 July 2021. p. 166.
  11. ^ Tarnoff, Curt (12 August 2021). "Afghanistan: U.S. Foreign Assistance". Congressional Research Service. p. 22. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  12. ^ a b Iqbal, Anwar (11 August 2018). "US cuts military training programme for Pakistan". Dawn. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  13. ^ Siddiqa, Ayesha (2023-04-04). "Pakistan has walked dangerously deep into Chinese grip. Wake up, West". ThePrint. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  14. ^ "U.S. Unfreezes Pakistani Military's Participation In Training Program". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2019-12-24. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  15. ^ Landay, Jonathan (19 December 2019). "U.S. to resume military training program for Pakistan - State Department". Reuters. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  16. ^ Kurlantzick, Joshua (8 June 2016). "Reforming the U.S. International Military Education and Training Program" (PDF). Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 2024-05-15.

External links[edit]

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