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Pentagon’s new foreign military training proposal greeted with skepticism in Congress

The Pentagon wants Congress to establish a new training program for foreign military officers, but some congressional appropriators say it duplicates a State Department program.
U.S. soldiers are seen at the end of "Eager Lion" military exercises at the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border, 260 km (162 miles) south of Amman, May 24, 2012. The U.S. Army special operations forces are leading 12,000 troops from 18 countries during "Eager Lion" exercises. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed(JORDAN - Tags: MILITARY) - GM1E85P08G601

The Pentagon is pitching Congress on a new training initiative for foreign military officers that would run parallel to a program that currently exists under the auspices of the State Department, Al-Monitor has learned.

The Pentagon’s draft legislation — obtained by Al-Monitor — says the proposal would “not duplicate or conflict with activities under the International Military Education and Training authorities,” which the State Department oversees. Under the Pentagon’s draft proposal, the Defense Department would implement its program in coordination with the State Department.

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