ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationObama · D

Presidential Determination

Distribution of Department of Defense Funded Humanitarian Assistance in Syria

President Obama waived a statutory prohibition (10 U.S.C. § 2249a(a)) that would have blocked the Department of Defense from distributing humanitarian assistance in Syria, citing urgent refugee crisis needs and broader U.S. stability objectives in the Middle East. The waiver allows DOD-funded humanitarian aid to flow into Syria under 10 U.S.C. § 2561.

Federal Register Open PDF 80 FR 71927

Impact dates

  1. Federal Register publication

Key directives

  • Waive 10 U.S.C. § 2249a(a) prohibition for DOD humanitarian assistance into Syria
  • Authorize and direct publication in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Waiver takes effect upon signing, unblocking DOD humanitarian assistance distribution

Near term (90d)

  • DOD can proceed with humanitarian aid distribution into Syria

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

  • Waiver of statutory prohibition for military-funded aid in active conflict zone blurs civil-military humanitarian boundaries
  • Potential for aid diversion in contested Syrian territory
  • Limited transparency on scope and duration of waiver
Presidential Determination: Distribution of Department of Defense Funded Humanitarian Assistance in Syria · Executive Orders