ExecutiveOrdersEO
MemoMemorandumObama · D

Presidential Memorandum

Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961

President Obama delegated to the Secretary of State authority under the Foreign Assistance Act to direct the drawdown of up to $25 million in Defense Department equipment, services, and military training to provide immediate military assistance to Iraq's government and the Kurdistan Regional Government for combating ISIL. The memorandum also required publication in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 79 FR 56623

Impact dates

  1. immediate military assistance to be provided

Key directives

  • Delegate authority under section 506(a)(1) of Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to Secretary of State
  • Direct drawdown of up to $25 million in DoD defense articles and services
  • Provide military education and training
  • Provide immediate military assistance to Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government
  • Aid efforts to combat ISIL
  • Make required determinations under section 506(a)(1)
  • Publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Delegation of authority takes effect upon signing
  • Authority to direct drawdown of defense articles and services becomes available

Near term (90d)

  • Drawdown and delivery of up to $25 million in military assistance to Iraq

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

  • Blurred civilian-military chain: delegating DoD asset drawdown authority to Secretary of State rather than Defense Secretary creates interagency tension
  • Kurdistan Regional Government assistance may complicate unified Iraq policy or inflame Baghdad-Erbil relations
  • Section 506(a)(1) drawdowns reduce U.S. military stocks without congressional appropriation, raising oversight concerns
  • Vague 'immediate' timeline lacks specific delivery benchmarks
Presidential Memorandum: Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 · Executive Orders